Cowboys NRLW team to move to Cairns by 2027 as plans for high performance centre unveiled

The North Queensland Cowboys are cementing their stronghold over the top half of the state, confirming their plans to build a high performance centre and move the NRLW squad to Cairns.

The Cowboys are planning to move the NRLW team to Cairns by 2027.

The North Queensland Cowboys are further cementing their stronghold over the top half of the state, confirming their plans to build a high performance centre and move the NRLW squad to Cairns.

Cowboys chairman Lewis Ramsay said the club had “formulated a number of proposals” for the Far North, including building a Community Development and High Performance Centre in the Barlow Park precinct, similar to Townsville’s award-winning centre that neighbours the stadium.

“Since inception, our club has encapsulated the largest geographical footprint in the NRL and has been proud to represent all North Queenslanders on and off the field,” Mr Ramsay said.

“To date, the day-to-day operations of the club and football teams have been centralised in Townsville, complemented by a year-round calendar of community engagement with other towns in our footprint.

“Today, we set forth our vision to put year-round, boots-on-the-ground in Cairns, a city and community which is the backbone of the Far North and has ambitions to become Australia’s foremost location for elite women’s sport.”

Concept plans for the Community Development and High Performance Centre in the Barlow Park precinct. Photo: Supplied by North Queensland Cowboys.

Mr Ramsay moved to allay concerns around shifting part of the business 345km up the Bruce Highway, likely by 2027.

“Our vision for the Far North is not about changing how we operate in Townsville, it’s centred on ensuring the Cowboys continue to grow and remain sustainable for generations to come within our entire North Queensland footprint,” he said.

“We know from our data analysis that Cairns and the Far North are huge followers of rugby league and of the Cowboys, yet not every fan can get to Cowboys games in Townsville. This decision has been born out of a desire to help those fans feel closer to our club.”

Mr Ramsay said through “exploratory meetings” with local, state and federal governments in Cairns, the high performance centre would deliver permanent new infrastructure and a new home for the Cowboys NRLW side, as well as the Cowboys’ northern affiliate team and current Host Plus Minor Premiers, the Northern Pride.

“While there is further stakeholder engagement required to bring our vision to life, we are hopeful the entire Cairns community will see this as a coup for the Far North,” Mr Ramsay said.

“With the multimillion-dollar upgrade to Barlow Park, spurred on by the upcoming 2032 Olympics, the Cowboys NRLW team and Northern Pride’s game day would be played in state-of-the-art facilities in front of members and supporters who have immense passion for the game of rugby league.”

Jasmine Peters of the Cowboys scores a try during the round seven NRLW match between North Queensland Cowboys and Wests Tigers at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The Cowboys say the construction of the high performance centre would deliver a $34.7 million boost for the Far North area and create the equivalent of 89 full-time jobs.

“Our proposed expansion of operations in Cairns represents a permanent stake in the ground in the Far North of our footprint for both our football and community teams,” Mr Ramsay said.

“It allows us to continue to evolve and ensure that all of North Queensland remains Cowboys heartland and provides the opportunity for our club to impact more people, more often.”

Originally published as Cowboys NRLW team to move to Cairns by 2027 as plans for high performance centre unveiled