Brisbane fans today have their first opportunity to join the biggest names in Rugby League at Suncorp Stadium for one of the nation’s most significant sporting events, the Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars.
Tickets for the first ever Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars at Suncorp Stadium went on sale to the public this morning as Australian Rugby League Commission Interim Chief Executive, Mr Shane Mattiske, joined Assistant Minister for Sport and Racing the Hon Tim Mander, along with Preston Campbell, Laurie Daley, Sam Thaiday, Cameron Smith and Justin Hodges for the official launch.
“The Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars has been an outstanding success and the move to Suncorp ensures that more communities can experience the excitement of one of Rugby League’s great events,” Mr Mattiske said.
“The emotion, excitement and pace of the All Stars is something that has to be seen first-hand and the prospect of playing in front of a big crowd at Suncorp will only add to the occasion.
“It is a special way to kick off the season and the introduction of a ‘value ticket’ of $20 per person or $55 for a family makes the event accessible to everyone.”
Former Australian, Broncos and All Stars Test Captain Darren Lockyer said the move to Suncorp would have a big impact on the players.
“This is a game that is already intense and if you put these sort of players in front of a big crowd at Suncorp it is only going to make them want to win even more,” he said.
“There will be really talented players in both sides and they take a lot of pride in performing in front of a big crowd.”
Indigenous All Stars coach Laurie Daley also believes the passion of Brisbane fans will have a significant impact on the game.
“It’s the first time the match has been played at Suncorp Stadium and knowing the passion that Brisbane fans have for Rugby League it is going to be a great atmosphere,” Daley said.
“It’s a great week for the game and an exciting way to launch the season but it’s also a match we are determined to win and I am confident we will put together a side capable of doing just that.”
In a further sign of support for the event the Department of Education Employment and Work Place Relations today announced that it would extend its sponsorship of the Learn Earn Legend! Indigenous All Stars into 2013.
The year-round School to Work Programs run under the Learn Earn Legend! banner have recorded outstanding success rates that are double that of similar programs outside of Rugby League.
The 2013 Harvey Norman All Stars will celebrate all levels of the game with Brisbane hosting the week-long festival including the Murri vs. Koori Interstate Challenge at the Southern Suburbs Rugby League Club on Friday, February 8, the Indigenous Under 16s Interstate Challenge and the All Stars Women’s teams playing as the curtain-raisers at Suncorp Stadium.
The annual Youth Summit and the Learn Earn Legend! Jobs Expo supported by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations will again take place with a number of public events in and around All Stars week that will enable the fans to meet their favourite players from both teams.
The Brisbane launch of the Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars has coincided with the announcement of new members of the Rugby League Indigenous Council with former Balmain Tigers and Raiders star Mr Percy Knight announced as Chairman.
The 2012 Council members include: Mr Preston Campbell, The Hon Linda Burney MP, Mr Glenn Brennan, Ms Katrina Fanning, Mr Darren Goodwill, Mr William ‘Smiley’ Johnstone and Mr Stephen Tillett.
"This is a great opportunity to open the event up to more people, broaden our community reach,” Mr Knight said.
“All Stars has provided new levels of much-needed funding for our Indigenous community programs across the country, which is the cornerstone of the All Stars concept.
“It was our vision to grow the Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars game and take it to different communities and with today’s launch here in Brisbane that journey has begun.”
The Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars is supported by Events Queensland as part of the growing calendar of sporting, cultural, business and regional events across the state.
Both Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars teams feature a 20-man squad with sixteen positions in each squad voted directly by the fans.
The Rugby League Indigenous Council will directly appoint four members of the Learn Earn Legend! Indigenous All Stars team while the Australian and New Zealand Test captains gain automatic selection in the NRL All Stars.
NRL All Stars coach Wayne Bennett also has two player selections.
Voting for the 2013 teams will start in October, after the NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final.
2013 Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars Ticket Categories and Prices
Tickets for the 2013 Harvey Norman All Stars match, at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane on February 9 and are available through Ticketek outlets, on 132 849 or www.ticketek.com.au. New Zealand customers can call 0800 842 538 or +61 132 849.
Customers can purchase up to 10 tickets per transaction.
Categories |
Cat 1 |
Cat 2 |
Cat 3 |
Adult |
$90.00 |
$50.00 |
$20.00 |
Concession* |
$80.00 |
$45.00 |
$18.00 |
Junior |
$70.00 |
$40.00 |
$16.00 |
Family (2A+2J) |
$265.00 |
$150.00 |
$60.00 |
Concession includes: Pensioner Aged, War, TPI, Invalid & Disability