Cairns Secures Strategic Economic Foothold with New Destination Women’s Sport Investment Program

Cairns Regional Council has launched the Destination Women’s Sport Investment Program, a dedicated strategic funding framework designed to aggressively attract elite teams, international training camps, and major events to position Far North Queensland as the nation’s premier hub for female sports.

Under the guidance of Mayor Amy Eden, the municipality is deploying capital early through a formalised ten-point action plan to capitalise on the “green and gold runway” to the Brisbane 2032 Games, positioning Cairns to secure lucrative pre-Games international training camps and deliver immediate dividends for local tourism and corporate sectors.

“Our vision isn’t just to host women’s sport. It’s to become the place where women’s sport comes to grow, train, compete and thrive.”

“We want Cairns to be known as Australia’s home of women’s sport.

“Not because we said it, but because we built the pathways, attracted the teams, hosted the events and created the opportunities to make it true,” Cr Eden said.

Crucially, the Destination Women’s Sport Investment Program has been dual-coded to drive bottom-line benefits across both high-performance operations and community sporting sectors. 

“The Cowboys are a critical part of that journey. Their NRLW program gives Cairns something we’ve never had before – an elite women’s team based in our city and a visible pathway for the next generation of girls coming through.

“Success leaves clues. When one elite women’s sporting organisation chooses Cairns, others start asking why. That’s the conversation we’re beginning to see.

“The green and gold runway to 2032 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

“By investing now, we are ensuring Cairns benefits from increased visitation, global exposure and long-term economic legacy projects, such as the redevelopment of Barlow Park, in the lead-up to the Olympics,”Cr Eden said.

The corporate master plan also underpins extensive long-term infrastructure assets, notably the major upcoming redevelopment of Barlow Park, ensuring the city possesses world-class facilities capable of managing high-volume, elite-level broadcasts and large spectator gates.

Don’t miss out on the latest in sports business – Subscribe today to the free Ministry of Sport newsletter and stay ahead of the game. For even more exclusive insights, event tickets, professional development and networking events, become a MoS Member today!.