Federal Government commits $15 million to bring NRLW to Cairns

The Australian Government has pledged AUD$15 million in funding for the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys’ proposed Community, Development, and High Performance Centre in Cairns, contingent upon their re-election this Saturday.

This commitment mirrors a similar pledge made by the LNP last month, indicating that both major political parties are vying for the project’s support.

Planned for West Barlow Park, the centre is set to serve as the permanent headquarters for the Cowboys’ NRLW team, as well as the Northern Pride.

Cowboys chairman, Lewis Ramsay, highlighted the significance of this commitment for both the club and female sport in North Queensland, particularly for local rugby league players.

He expressed gratitude to Minister for Sport, Anika Wells, and Labor candidate for Leichhardt, Matt Smith, for their support.

“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,” Ramsay said.

The Cowboys’ head of NRLW & women’s elite pathways, Anita Creenaune, referred to the centre as a transformative initiative for women’s rugby league, aimed at inspiring the next generation of female athletes.

She highlighted Cairns’ contribution to Australia’s sporting talent pool, noting that the facility will enable local girls to train and compete at elite levels within their community.

Also expressing enthusiasm about the project, Cowboys legend, Johnathan Thurston, stated: “Sport can be a uniting force in communities and help build resilience in our young people,” he remarked.

Wells emphasised the importance of supporting women’s sport, stating that the funding will help establish Cairns’ first national women’s sporting team.

She pointed to the broader impact of the investment, which aims to foster female participation in sport from grassroots to elite levels.

Smith echoed these sentiments, asserting that the facility will not only promote female participation but also instil a sense of pride in the local community.

He reiterated the transformative potential of the project for sportswomen in Far North Queensland.

The AUD$15 million investment is expected to contribute to a total AUD$30 million world-class training and recovery facility exclusively tailored for the Cowboys NRLW team.

Additionally, it aims to create over 80 construction jobs and about 60 ongoing full-time roles while establishing Cairns as a key destination for women’s sport in Northern Queensland.

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