Melbourne Storm Temporarily Move To Sunshine Coast

[mkdf_dropcaps type=”normal” color=”#f55549″ background_color=””]W[/mkdf_dropcaps]ith COVID-19 cases continuing to rise in Victoria, the Melbourne Storm have temporarily relocated to the Sunshine Coast.

The Storm have received an exemption from the Queensland Government in order to relocate to the Twin Waters Resort, at least for the next two weeks as the NRL and the Storm continue to monitor the COVID-19 prominence in Victoria.

Storm CEO, Dave Donaghy, said the move was the best option available to ensure the health and safety of their players and staff, and the club’s links to the region through Super Netball club Sunshine Coast Lightning further boost the move.

“Sunshine Coast is the best option available to us in the circumstances we face at the moment and we would like to thank the Queensland Government for its assistance in making this relocation possible,” Donaghy said.

“We have strong links with Queensland and especially on the Sunshine Coast with our successful Lightning Super Netball team and our partnership with the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

“Even though we won’t be able to undertake public activities such as an open training session during this camp, I know our squad will be warmly welcomed and looked after as they prepare for the Roosters game on Thursday night and then the trip to face the Raiders in Canberra in round nine.

“I’m sure our Victorian-based members and fans who missed out on seeing their team at home against the Warriors last night and won’t be able to attend the Roosters game on Thursday night, understand the situation we are in at the moment.

“We would love to be back home in front of the Purple Army but unfortunately that isn’t possible until we get the green light to be back in Victoria,” he said.

The Storm, along with the move, will play the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, which will allow up to 10,000 fans in attendance after the Queensland Government recently followed the lead of NSW in the latest increase to spectator capacity.

“Our players are excited about the chance to play in front of a 10,000-strong crowd at Suncorp and build on the great memories of the home games we have brought to Queensland’s home of rugby league during the double-header and Magic Round promotions,” Donaghy said.

“To stage a 2018 grand final rematch at Suncorp Stadium and to showcase two of the best clubs in the NRL to a Queensland audience, including more than 1000 Storm members who live here, will be a real highlight of the season for us,” he said.