NRL CEO Andrew Abdo says Toowoomba NRL game to thank regional Queensland fans

One of the NRL’s top bosses has explained how the deal was done to bring an NRL game to Toowoomba.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo. Picture: Brett Costello

The NRL’s chief executive has revealed why rugby league’s governing body decided to green-light a Toowoomba match, saying it was a way of thanking the fans.

CEO Andrew Abdo, who negotiated with the Toowoomba Regional Council to secure the match this Sunday between the Dragons and the Roosters, paid tribute to the Darling Downs as “rugby league heartland”.

Mr Abdo admitted the NRL was taking a commercial “risk” by hosting the game in a smaller stadium and with less upfront investment from the council.

But he said the point of the exercise was not to make money, but rather reward Toowoomba fans for supporting the code during a period of turmoil.

“We know we’ve got around 500,000 fans in regional Queensland and Toowoomba has a strong connection to rugby league,” Mr Abdo said.

“When we look at the upside of that and once the lockdown was lifted, the opportunity for our regional fans to see their heroes play was a big factor.

“It is important to us as a game that we hosted regional matches — we’ve taken a risk, but we’re fully confident it is the right move.

“It wasn’t a commercial discussion (with the council), this was actually a decision we made because we felt a game was warranted.

“The opportunity for us to play games in important parts of rugby league heartland is obviously important for us.”

Mr Abdo said a Toowoomba match was also feasible since the NRL was already underwriting the cost of the games in Queensland.

As for future local matches, he said such a deal would require input from at least one NRL club as well as a larger investment from the council.

“In future years, we’re going to need to work with clubs and local governments more closely (to secure regular Toowoomba matches),” he said.

“That’s not just about the commercial aspect, that’s also about growing membership bases, having a relationship with the local community.

“We’re encouraging all our clubs to look at their footprint and connection to the country areas.

“It doesn’t have to be a Queensland-based team either — a great case study is the Rabbitohs establishing a great relationship and growing fans by going to Western Australia for matches.”

Originally published as NRL CEO Andrew Abdo says Toowoomba NRL game to thank regional Queensland fans