FOOTBALL BONANZA

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A DOUBLE header at Queensland Country Bank Stadium this month will make Townsville “rugby paradise” and give locals a chance to be part of history, economist Colin Dwyer says.

It will also be a rare occasion when the city hosts New Zealand’s NRL rugby league team, the Warriors, and one of its Super Rugby teams, the Waikato Chiefs, on consecutive days.

“I was at the first NRL game at the old stadium. I’m still talking about that moment and how good the feeling was to hear the crowd,” Mr Dwyer said.

The North Queensland Cowboys will play the Warriors on Friday, May 28, while the Queensland Reds battle the Chiefs on Saturday, May 29.

Townsville &

Districts Rugby

Union president Gary Lewis said d the city had not hosted Super r Rugby for over 15 years.

“Townsville is on the cusp of f history. Let’s turn up and be part of history, enjoy some great rugby and feel the roar of the crowd on n both nights,” Mr Lewis said.

“It would be bonza to see our Reds win like they did in overtime in the Aussie grand final against the Brumbies. My guess is there’s lots of Wallabies in this Reds team.”

Mr Dwyer said single event, domestic NRL matches boosted our economy by millions of dollars and supported hundreds of jobs.

A provincial match like the Reds and Chiefs would similarly boost the economy, but also provide an alternative platform to launch Townsville’s international reputation.

“The double header rugby festival in May enhances enhan the th b benefits f the Queensland Country Bank Stadium brings to Townsville. It boosts Townsville’s international reputation and strengthens it with two great New Zealand teams from different codes playing Queensland teams on consecutive nights,” Mr Dwyer said.

He said six million shivering Kiwis would definitely know where to holiday next time they needed some warmth and sunshine.

“The follow up message to every ru rugby mad Kiwi is Townsvi ville is their next holiday de destination,” Mr Dwyer sa said.

Mr Dwyer said it had be been 18 years since Townsvi ville had hosted an internati tional rugby union match an and the Wallabies had n never played here.

Rugby union offered a prosperous diversification of events for the stadium, a boost for jobs and the economy and an improvement in tourism branding and lifestyle, he said.

“Big events give Townsville the chance to capitalise on a great asset – yes we might be a garrison city, or a health hub or a tertiary education town, but with this stadium our tourism brand has broadened from sunshine capital to include events capital,” Mr Dwyer said.

“Events such as rugby union and soccer are worth big money, lots of jobs and utilising our stadium to its optimal potential is an important goal.”

He said rugby union matches could pump between $1.9m and $5m into the economy and create thousands of work hours for security guards, hire drivers, waiters and cooks. If the stadium was filled for the Reds match, it could convince decision makers to bring more Super Rugby matches, Wallabies games, international 7s carnivals and British Lions matches.

“The 2001 British Lions match was a catalyst for three fantastic 2003 Rugby World Cup pool games played in Townsville,” Mr Dwyer said.

“Townsville was beamed into the lounge rooms of millions of international homes. This sort of brand awareness for Townsville is priceless.”