Tickets on sale for elite rugby league game in Maryborough
Fraser Coast rugby league fans will have the chance to watch elite players in action live and meet some past legends of the game when Wynnum Manly Seagulls take on the Papua New Guinea Hunters at Maryborough’s Eskdale Park on 31 July.
Cr Denis Chapman said hosting a game of Queensland’s premier state-wide rugby league competition every year for the next three years would cement the Fraser Coast’s growing reputation as a major sports destination.
“The Intrust Super Cup competition is a pathway to the NRL for elite rugby league players in Queensland, and it will be fantastic for local fans and players to see such high level games in their own backyard,” he said.
“The Deadly Choices program, which aims to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families, will also be promoted in the lead up to the game.
“Fans will have the chance to mix and mingle with former league legends who are now Deadly Choices Ambassadors, such as Steve Renouf, Petero Civoniceva and Willie Tonga, while current Queensland NRL Womens’ representative Tamika Upton will also be attending.
“In addition, the curtain raiser to the main game will be a Murri Under 16s game between the Goori Storm and the Sunshine Coast Bunyas.
“The games will be terrific for tourism on the Fraser Coast with the teams bringing their supporters and players to the region, and the main event will be televised for free on Kayo to an expected audience of more than 50,000 people.
“Eskdale Park has a strong league history with the ground hosting games between Brisbane and Maryborough in the very first Queensland rugby league competition in 1909, and it’s fantastic news that the Wynnum Manly Seagulls have chosen to play one of their home games here this year.”
A full day of family fun is planned at Eskdale Park on Saturday 31 July with games starting from 10am, an opening ceremony at 1.15pm and the main game kicking off at 2.10pm.
Tickets can be bought online now via EventBrite or at the main gate on the day, and cost $10 for adults (over 16) and $5 for pensioners while children up to the age of 15 are free.
Anyone attending Eskdale Park will be required to sign in via the Check In Queensland app.
Wynnum Manly Seagulls Chief Executive Officer Hanan Laban said:
“The Wynnum Manly Seagulls are very excited to bring our Intrust Super Cup side to the Fraser Coast region.
“The Queensland Rugby League completed a re-zoning of the development areas for Intrust Super Cup clubs and the Fraser Coast region was included in the Seagulls’ catchment area.
“This match is a fantastic opportunity to increase our engagement with the Fraser Coast community and promote the wonderful pathway that exists through the Seagulls.
“We will be promoting the local Fraser Coast Rugby League throughout the week and promoting health awareness and recognising indigenous culture with the support of Deadly Choices.”
Cr Chapman said the Intrust Super Cup game at Eskdale Park built on the steady stream of recent major sporting events on the Fraser Coast, including the Brisbane Roar visit, the annual Touch Football Junior State Cup, the Gran Fondo cycling, triathlons and tennis tournaments.
“Sporting events on the Fraser Coast are bringing in thousands of visitors who inject millions of dollars into our local economy when they spend money with local businesses, such as accommodation providers and restaurants and cafes,” he said.
“Council is determined to ensure we build a strong and resilient local economy alongside a healthy and active community. Supporting sporting events like this game and visit by the Wynnum Manly Seagulls help us achieve those goals.”
Additional background
The PNG Hunters spent a combined 31 days in quarantine before setting up their training base at the Gold Coast earlier this year, where they will be based for the entire season of the Intrust Super Cup.
The Wynnum Manly Seagulls and the PNG Hunters faced off in the first game of the season, with the match proving to be a tight tussle in which Wynnum Manly prevailed 20 – 18.
A form guide for the game is available at https://www.qrl.com.au/draw/intrust-super-cup/2021/round-15/wm-seagulls-v-hunters/