Momentum builds for Mackay to host an NRL match
Toowoomba and Rockhampton have made bids for their cities to secure a match but as is the way in sport, never discount the underdog.
Mackay
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Rugby league heartland would wholeheartedly embrace an NRL match should Mackay score a game in the 2021 season.
BB Print Stadium, home of the Mackay Cutters, would hold a capacity crowd of diehard fans and give an unrivalled atmosphere to the teams on the field.
And it wouldn’t necessarily matter what teams they were, such is Mackay’s love of the game.
Momentum is building for the city to host its first NRL match since the Bulldogs and Storm ran out in 2013 in front of 10,000 fans watching from any and all vantage points.
Even a trial match between Cowboys and Storm drew a sold-out crowd in 2019 – 8000 people without extra scaffolding set up.
Now, with Covid-19 disrupting the 2021 NRL season and team hubs all in Queensland – a move that has already benefited the Cutters contingent – the regular hurdles in hosting a premier league game are smaller.
Toowoomba and Rockhampton have made advanced bids for their cities to secure a match but as is the way in sport, never discount the underdog.
High level talks are ongoing into how the regions could host a game in the later months of the season, and Mackay is inside the realm of possibility with support from the Cutters ranks who know and understand what its like to run out in front of a passionate crowd.
Recently signed Cutters halfback Adam Cook, who was released from his Canberra Raiders contract this month as the NRL moved to hub all teams in the southeast Queensland corner, understands that passion.
“Mackay is a really good place to play, I know growing up when I was playing here it was always a good spot and the crowd liked to get around it,” recently signed Cutters halfback Adam Cook said.
“So I think it’d be a great thing to do. I know the boys don’t mind coming out and playing in these sort of areas where they don’t have massive stadiums because it does get packed and it’s a good place to play, so I would be all for that really.”
Mackay Region Mayor Greg Williamson last week said he welcomed the move to host a match if the opportunity presented itself.
“The government knows from past experiences that we can host and we do a bloody good job of it,” he said.
“It’s not cheap, there is a requirement for public investment to bring a team here.
“We do work very closely with the NRL and the Queensland government to make sure they’re always aware that we’re up for hosting.
“We always have our hand up for league games to play here.”
Cutters coach Michael Crawley said Mackay hosting a game would be a great opportunity but specific infrastructure requirements could be an insurmountable hurdle.
“It would be a great opportunity to get to host games again, the crowd certainly loves the NRL being a football fanatic town,” he said.
“But there are certain expectations that the league has about stadiums that host.
“It might be all a bit difficult to organise.”
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