Western Corridor NRL bid
 | |
| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Colours | Gold Green White |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Current details | |
| CEO | Steven Johnson |
The Western Corridor NRL bid was launched on August 14, 2010 [1][2] in an attempt to represent Brisbane's growing Western Corridor in an expanded National Rugby League competition. The bid is headquartered in Ipswich, Queensland and is closely associated with the Ipswich Jets.
The bid promotes the benefits of having a third South-East Queensland club to boost TV ratings, attendances and promote the code in an NRL "heartland" area.[3] Former NRL CEODavid Gallop has previously stressed the importance of establishing an NRL side in the "Ipswich-Logan corridor".[4]
History and bid region
Rugby League has been played in Brisbane and Ipswich for over a century and is currently represented in the Queensland Cup by the Ipswich Jets.
Former Sydney Roosters CEO Brian Canavan was hired as a consultant to bid chairman Steven Johnson to assist in developing the club's feasibility study and business plan. It is intended for the club to include Ipswich, Toowoomba and Logan, a catchment area of currently 2.2 million people, 350,000 school children, 18,000 registered RL Juniors and huge projected population growth; Ipswich alone is projected to grow from 170,000 to 400,000 by 2030.[5]
Stadium and headquarters
The bid proposes that the club build new training, administrative and possibly Leagues Club facilities at Springfield. This location has been selected as it is geographically roughly halfway between Ipswich and Logan, an area with the fastest growing population nationally, and the location of a train line extension due to be completed by 2013. They have received a guarantee from the State Government to build a new Stadium in Springfield, however the Jets would likely play out of Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane until the stadium is completed if granted an NRL licence.[6]
Players
Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith has been touted as a possible initial club captain. The current NRL clubs at the annual CEO's meeting in 2010 promoted Queensland and Western Australia as preferable expansion locations, however hesitated on 2013 being an ideal time to expand, preferring 2015.[7]
Club identity
South East Queensland's largest stadium is Lang Park and is home to NRL club the Brisbane Broncos. The bid has proposed that the new club will play out of a stadium to be built in Springfield.
Community
The bid also envisions the development of feeder teams in the Queensland Cup, such as reviving the Toowoomba Clydesdales, to provide direct pathways for juniors to progress into the NRL team. In 2012 University of Queensland partnered with the bid in an effort to further provide more educational pathways for youth in the region [8] and to also further target Indigenous youth.[9][10]
References
- ^ http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/ipswich-laces-up-for-nrl-pitch-20100814-123hg.html
- ^ http://www.qt.com.au/story/2010/08/14/ipswich-jets-in-nrl-bid-jets-plan-nrl-bid/
- ^ http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/ipswich-laces-up-for-nrl-pitch-20100814-123hg.html
- ^ http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/david-gallop-says-second-nrl-team-in-south-east-queensland-on-cards/story-e6frep5o-1225699047076
- ^ http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/07/3087377.htm?site=sport§ion=rugbyleague
- ^ http://www.qt.com.au/story/2010/08/14/ipswich-jets-in-nrl-bid-jets-plan-nrl-bid/
- ^ http://www.qt.com.au/story/2010/12/06/cameron-smith-on-radar-to-pilot-the-jets-nrl-rugby/
- ^ http://sportsbusinessinsider.com.au/news/category/financial-and-governance/sponsors-secured-for-western-corridor-nrl-bid/
- ^ http://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2012/08/new-education-pathway-proposed-indigenous-queenslanders
- ^ http://www.questia.com/newspaper/1G1-298897778/players-hit-books-after-hitting-field-uni-course