Newcastle, Townsville mayors campaign to have cities become home of Women’s State of Origin

Townsville and Newcastle have joined forces in a bid to campaign for the two rugby league-mad cities to become a permanent host of future Women’s State of Origin matches. Here’s how.

Origin bid

Townsville and Newcastle have joined forces in a bid to campaign for the two rugby league-mad cities to become a permanent host of future Women’s State of Origin matches.

This comes as Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium played host to a record crowd on Thursday night for the Game II decider with more than 18,200 people in the stands for the game.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill and Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes have outlined the proposal in a letter to Australian Rugby League commissioner Peter V’landys for matches to be held in each city.

Cr Hill hopes that if the women’s deal is a success, it will open a line of communication about men’s Origin moving forward.

Mayor Hll said she was thrilled to have joined forces with the New South Wales council to fight for future origin matches to be brought to the regional heartlands of league.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Cr Hill said it made perfect sense to host the matches in the city, with Townsville’s Thursday night match proof of what it could do.

“Townsville has smashed the record for game attendance this week, and we put on an amazing show when Origin first came to the city in 2021, “ Cr Hill said.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Newcastle. Supplied.

“Townsville has proven to be the sporting and events capital of the North and we will now take the fight together with the people of Newcastle to secure permanent Women’s Origin matches in both our cities.”

The mayors have requested a meeting with V’landys to hash out the details and make the proposal a reality.

“I believe that once we have locked in women’s Origin, we both cities will have a strong case for taking a permanent share of one of the three men’s Origin matches,” Cr Hill said.

Cr Nelmes said both cities had “rich rugby league histories”, with passionate fan bases and an eagerness to work with people at all levels of government to highlight the cities as premier sporting destinations.

“I know Novocastrians would strongly welcome State of Origin, which would serve to boost our visitor economy, help to create local jobs and support local industries while continuing to highlight our city as an amazing tourist destination,” she said.

Both Mayor’s reiterated their position in the letter that the game’s governing body in Australia owes it to Australian rugby league’s most ardent fans to give this proposal the fullest consideration.

In the letter, the mayors acknowledge that the Commission is hoping to expand rugby league beyond NSW and Queensland, but saying that the idea presented an opportunity to promote the game in the regional centres and reward the code’s greatest fans. 

Peter V'landys. Britta Campion / The Australian

Townsville turned it on for the women’s Origin match on Thursday with the City Lane dining and drinking entertainment hub pumping in the lead-up to the 8.05pm kick-off.

TapHouse Townsville’s two kitchen and three bar staff were run off their feet from about 4.30pm to 7.45pm.

“I would say we were up in terms of customer about 50 per cent to 75 per cent on a regular Thursday but all was all good, no one had to wait we got it all done,” manager Dave Hinnrichs said.

“It was a great vibe, there wasn’t too many Blues about but lots of people wearing Maroon looking like they were all up for a good night.”

Manager Dave Hinnrichs of Taphouse is excited to be open for diners again with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Despite limited activation of the city on game night, Mr Hinnrichs said he did not believe it would have made a huge difference.

“I think the fact that they’ve managed to get 18,000 to the game is massive,” he said.

Mr Hinnrichs said Thursday games were difficult for many people who were finishing work, rushing home to get changed and then heading back into town.

“It’s a tight turnaround so at the end of the day I think they probably made the right decision,” he said.

Mr Hinnrichs said not many kicked on after the game.

“Thursday night you are not going to get people drinking until midnight, they’ve got to work the next day.”

He hoped Townsville would get to host the women’s league game every year.

“Everyone benefited from having it here and if we can convince the women’s rugby league here every year that would be great.”

Originally published as Newcastle, Townsville mayors campaign to have cities become home of Women’s State of Origin