The Federal Labor Government have committed $15 million to the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys proposed Community, Development and High Performance Centre in Cairns if re-elected on Saturday.
Today’s commitment matches the LNP’s pledge from last month, meaning both major parties contesting Saturday’s Federal Election have committed $15 million to the project if elected.
The proposed centre would be located at West Barlow Park and become the permanent headquarters of the Cowboys’ NRLW team as well as the Northern Pride.
“This is an important day in the history of our club as well as female sport in North Queensland and in particular for the region’s female rugby league players,” Cowboys Chairman Lewis Ramsay said.
“I would like to thank Minister for Sport, Anika Wells and Labor Candidate for Leichhardt Matt Smith for their essential funding commitment.
“Cairns and Far North Queensland has always been an enormously important region in the identity of the Cowboys and now it will also be home to our NRLW team.
“The facility will provide high-performance infrastructure for female athletes, integrate allied health and community access features, and expand pathways for local talent – all while injecting millions into the local economy and creating jobs during construction and operation.”
Cowboys Head of NRLW & Women’s Elite Pathways Anita Creenaune said the centre would provide a major boost for the development of female athletes in North Queensland.
“This facility is a game-changer for women’s rugby league in Far North Queensland. Our goal is to inspire the next generation of young girls and all female athletes, boosting community cohesion and reminding people of the benefits of sport,” she said.
“Cairns has produced some of the best sporting talent anywhere in the country. This facility will give local girls and women the chance to train, grow and play at the highest level without having to leave home to do it.”
Cowboys legend Johnathan Thurston said the club’s community programs would also benefit from the construction of a Community, Development and High Performance Centre in Cairns.
“This facility isn’t just about rugby league, it will also provide an opportunity for the Cowboys community team to expand and utilise a regional base in Cairns and the Far North Queensland region to help deliver our life-changing programs,” he said.
“Sport can be a uniting force in communities and help build resilience in our young people.”
Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells said growing female sport was a major focus for her Party.
“The Albanese Labor government’s $15 million investment in a high performance and community centre in Cairns will create the city’s first ever national women’s sporting team,” she said.
“Our $15 million commitment will help inspire more Tahlulah Tillett’s, ensuring Cairns league juniors have a direct pathway to the NRLW.
“From our historic Play Our Way fund, to investing in the Matildas and Netball World Cup, Labor is committed to boosting women’s sport from playground to podium.”
Labor candidate for Leichhardt Matt Smith said the project would grow female participation in sport in Far North Queensland.
“I know firsthand the positive impact sport can have on an individual and the community,” he said.
“Having a facility like this in the heart of Cairns will drive female participation in sport but also drive that sense of pride in our community.
“This is a great project and I’m glad to be part of an Albanese Labor team supporting sport in our community for women and girls from a grassroots level all the way to the elite level.”
The $15 million capital investment will:
● Provide a major contribution towards delivering a $30M world-class training and recovery facility tailored for the Cowboys NRLW team
● Support the relocation of the Cowboys NRLW program to Cairns
● Strengthen community access to health, sport and wellbeing programs
● Create over 80 construction jobs and over 60 ongoing jobs (full-time equivalent)
● Position Cairns as the premier destination for women’s sport in Northern Australia
