Country Week fixtures drive support for Queensland communities
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The Hostplus Cup will next month spread its footprint across Queensland communities in a significant boost for grassroots rugby league clubs and regional towns.
With the support of the Queensland Government, the Queensland Rugby League will take seven matches on the road, providing footy fans in the bush with a unique opportunity to soak up top class action as part of Country Week, presented by Ford.
As revealed by Sports Minister Michael Healy during Sunday's broadcast feature match, the Hostplus Cup is coming to Middlemount, South Kolan and Tamborine Mountain for the first time.
Healy confirmed Cooktown, Mount Isa, Bowen and Dalby would also welcome Round 19 fixtures across the weekend of July 27-28.
“All of these games are vitally important for our communities,” Healy said during today’s announcement on Qplus.tv.
“It’s wonderful to get everybody out, get them active, and this is one of the great ways to do it.”
The Cooktown clash will feature minor premiership contenders the Northern Pride and Wynnum Manly Seagulls, who will travel more than 2000km to the coastal town in the Cape York Peninsula.
Brisbane Tigers, Norths Devils and Redcliffe Dolphins will also venture out of the south east.
The Tigers play the Townsville Blackhawks at Mount Isa; the Devils clash with the Mackay Cutters at Bowen; and the Dolphins will go up against the Central Queensland Capras at Middlemount.
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Fans in the Bundaberg region can soak up South Kolan’s first Hostplus Cup game between the Sunshine Coast Falcons and Ipswich Jets, while the Burleigh Bears and Souths Logan Magpies will play at the proud home of the Tamborine Mountain Bushrats.
The Qplus.tv feature round match will be played at Dalby between the Western Clydesdales and Tweed Seagulls.
Dalby has previously hosted three Cup matches, including the 2001 clash between Toowoomba and Wests in which Justin Hodges scored three tries and seven goals for the Clydesdales.
QRL competitions manager Dave Maiden said Country Week, presented by Ford, would bring people together through school and community visits as well as various game day activities.
“Credit must go to our Hostplus Cup clubs, who embrace the opportunity each year to engage with local clubs and their communities,” Maiden said.
“Country Week is a fantastic all-round exercise that delivers many benefits to regional areas, long after the full-time siren sounds at each ground.
“Young boys and girls get to meet and watch players with NRL experience, and the players themselves receive a big lift from the experience because they get a glimpse of how tough it can be on outback teams who travel far and wide just to get a game.”
Country Week – supported by the Queensland Government and presented by Ford
Saturday, July 27
Cooktown: Northern Pride v Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Mount Isa: Brisbane Tigers v Townsville Blackhawks
Bowen: Mackay Cutters v Norths Devils
Middlemount: Central Queensland Capras v Redcliffe Dolphins
South Kolan: Sunshine Coast Falcons v Ipswich Jets
Tamborine Mountain: Burleigh Bears v Souths Logan Magpies
Sunday, July 28
Dalby: Western Clydesdales v Tweed Seagulls*
*Qplus.tv feature game
