AFL in Cairns: Far North hopes for big economic and community benefits
Officials pushing for AFL games and a hub to come to the Far North believe the influx of elite sport will help the local tourism industry recover from the impact of COVID-19.
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Officials pushing for AFL games and a hub to come to the Far North to complete the season believe the influx of elite sport will help the local tourism industry recover from the impact of COVID-19.
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan earlier this week pushed Cazalys Stadium as a serious option to host games as hundreds of players, teams and staff will set up camp in Queensland to finish the season.
AFL Cairns is hoping for confirmation of games or a hub in coming days.
The rounds nine-12 block of games are expected to be released on Monday next week.
If games were to be brought to Cazalys Stadium, Tourism and Events Queensland, AFL Cairns and Cairns Regional Council would need to provide some funding to get the deal over the line.
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TEQ chief Leanne Coddington said the potential games and a hub could be just what the region needed to fight back after a tough start to 2020.
“We have a strong relationship with the AFL and are excited about the prospect of more AFL games being played in Queensland in coming months,” Ms Coddington said.
“We know there is a strong AFL following in Cairns, as well as an exceptional facility in Cazalys, which has successfully hosted AFL games in the past so of course we would be open to the possibility of that happening again.
“We look forward to hearing more from the AFL in coming days.
Hosting AFL games in Cairns, and other regional cities across Queensland, would be another great step in helping our tourism industry recover from the impact of COVID-19.”
Cairns MP Michael Healy said FNQ was a perfect location for games or a hub.
The Gabba in Brisbane and the Gold Coast’s Metricon Stadium will host the majority of matches to complete the season, with most of the club’s in the AFL going to be based in the southeast, with Cazalys Stadium in Cairns also firming as a venue for some games, as well as the Northern Territory and Tasmania.
The Queensland government is keen to see games played in Cairns for the economic stimulus to a tourist town smashed by the absence of international travel.
“Our region needs events and having an AFL team here would be great,” Healy said.
“The impact of these type of events would be significant to our community, particularly in these challenging times.”
It has been reported the AFL is receptive to the idea of hosting games at Cazalys Stadium because it would lessen the impact on the playing surfaces at the Gabba and Metricon.
It has also been reported, the AFL also wants to play games in Darwin and Alice Springs next month.
The Northern Territory Government confirmed on Wednesday that clubs would not have to quarantine, so long as they’ve been out of Victoria or NSW for 14 days.
Hawthorn and North Melbourne are hoping they can host games in Tasmania.
Originally published as AFL in Cairns: Far North hopes for big economic and community benefits