Cairns on the brink of losing Cowboys NRLW team bid

Cairns is on the brink of losing its bid to bring an NRLW team to the Far North as negotiations with the state government to build a $40m high performance centre have stalled.

NQ Cowboys’ Jasmine Peters celebrates after scoring a try during the round seven NRLW match against Wests Tigers at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Cairns is on the brink of losing its bid to bring an NRLW team to the Far North as negotiations with the state government to build a $40m high performance centre have stalled.

The North Queensland Cowboys announced plans to move its women’s program to Cairns last year under a proposal championed by Member for Cairns Michael Healy to establish a Centre of Excellence at Barlow Park.

Lavinia Tauhalaliku makes a break for the North Queensland Cowboys. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

But with the Crisafulli state government having failed to commit any funding so far, the Cowboys have confirmed rival cities have since expressed interest in poaching the club’s NRLW squad.

“The Cowboys commitment to building a community, training and high performance centre as well as relocating our NRLW team to Cairns remains unchanged despite a number of alternative options being put to the club recently,” a club spokesman said.

“Given the Cairns centre would be an asset to benefit the entire community, federal and state government funding is essential.”

Jakiya Whitfield feeds a pass during the round five NRLW match against the Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium last season. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Mr Healy called out Far North leaders for not lobbying harder to bring the Cowboys to the north.

“If Labor was re-elected we would have a high performance centre and the Queensland Academy of Sport would’ve been operating out of it in Cairns,” he said.

“Why haven’t we heard from (the LNP’s) Bree James, Terry James and David Kempton? The state government has offered them nothing and yet they’re essential to ensuring that we get them here.”

Cowboys playmaker Tahlulah Tillett in action. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

The Cowboys refused to reveal where else its NRLW team could go but it is believed that rugby league-mad Mackay, with its international standard BB Print Stadium could be a viable alternative to Cairns.

“Mackay is a lovely place but we outstrip it in so many areas,” he said. “If we lose this to Mackay, it’s a bit like Rockhampton getting the rowing.

“Others have suggested there is politics at play here but the Cowboys have made it clear that Cairns is the preferred location.”

Member for Cairns Michael Healy announcing Labor’s commitment to build a $25m sporting centre of excellence at Barlow Park with former Australian 100-metre champion Otis Gowa last year. Picture: Stephen Harman

Under Mr Healy’s plan, the state and federal government would tip in $15m each with the Cowboys committing an additional $10m.

A spokeswoman for Sports Minister Tim Mander refused to reveal any details regarding the state government’s negotiations with the Cowboys.

“Discussions with the North Queensland Cowboys are ongoing, and we will continue to engage with the club regarding their proposal,” the spokeswoman said.

The LNP’s federal candidate for Leichhardt, Jeremy Neal, has promised $15m towards the centre, if elected. Labor’s Matt Smith has yet to match the commitment.

Calls to Mackay mayor Greg Williamson were not returned.

Originally published as Cairns on the brink of losing Cowboys NRLW team bid