The Rabbitohs, Events Queensland and the Queensland Rugby League have teamed up to help bring NRL Premiership football to Cairns, when South Sydney hosts the Gold Coast Titans in 2013.
The match will be played at Barlow Park on Sunday 16 June in round 14 of the NRL premiership in season 2013.
Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson was joined by Member for Cairns and Assistant Minister for Tourism, Gavin King, and QRL Northern Division Chairman Nigel Tillett, at Barlow Park today to announce the plans for the match to be played in far north Queensland.
“As a Club, we’re very excited to be a part of bringing the NRL back to Cairns,” Mr Richardson said.
“The NRL spoke to us about the opportunity to work with the QRL, the local Rugby League community in Cairns and Events Queensland to bring one of our home games here and we decided it was a good thing for our Club and the game.
“We will have a chance to help grow our Club and the NRL in Cairns and the surrounding region, and help support the QRL and the local league in their efforts to keep Rugby League as the number sport in the region.
“We’ll be working closely with all of the stakeholders connected to this match to help promote Cairns as one of Australia’s great holiday and recreation centres, and we’re sure that many Rabbitohs Members will take the opportunity to travel north for a mid-year break and catch some sun on the Great Barrier Reef and to cheer on their team against what will be a very important match against the Titans.
“Approximately ten percent of our Members live in Queensland as well, so we’re sure to see a lot of them here in Cairns to cheer on their team, as well as supporting some of their fellow Queenslanders with South Sydney players Greg Inglis, Michael Crocker, Ben Te’o, Chris McQueen, Ben Lowe, Dave Tyrrell, Justin Hunt, Luke Keary and Mitchell Buckett all proud Maroons.”
Member for Cairns and Assistant Minister for Tourism, Gavin King, welcomed the announcement that Barlow Park will be the host venue for the 2013 NRL Cairns Regional Fixture.
“To have secured this fixture for the next three years is a great demonstration of the Newman Government’s commitment to supporting our tourism industry here in Cairns,” said Mr King.
“Queenslanders are renowned Rugby League fans, with the 2013 NRL match set to draw large crowds to Barlow Park, delivering significant economic returns for the Cairns region.
“Through the support of Events Queensland, Cairns’ major event calendar continues to grow with this match joining a range of experiences on offer including the Cairns Airport Adventure Festival featuring Ironman Cairns, the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, and the inaugural Great Barrier Reef Masters Games in 2013.
“We look forward to welcoming the South Sydney Rabbitohs to Tropical North Queensland when they take on the Gold Coast Titans in June.”
QRL CEO, Rob Moore, said: “Far North Queensland is an important Rugby League nursery that continues to produce elite players via its various programs, thriving local competitions and Intrust Super Cup club the Northern Pride.
“This game will no doubt inspire players to reach their goals and will provide a wonderful opportunity for Rugby League fans to experience the thrill of an NRL premiership match in their own backyard.
“The QRL extends its thanks to Events Queensland and the South Sydney Rabbitohs for their willingness to invest and promote the game of Rugby League in Far North Queensland.”
Tickets for the clash between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Gold Coast Titans at Barlow Park in Cairns will go on sale in early 2013.
