Prime Minister Scott Morrison has stepped in to deliver $15 million worth of funding to North Queensland
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has stepped in to save the Cowboys after providing a $15 million funding bonanza to guarantee North Queensland’s long-term future in the NRL.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison has stepped in to save the Cowboys after providing a $15 million funding bonanza to guarantee North Queensland’s long-term future in the NRL.
A special investigation by The Courier-Mail into the North Queensland’s NRL viability has sparked the Federal Government into action with Morrison to deliver the multi-million grant that will give the Cowboys a state-of-the-art new headquarters.
Senator Matt Canavan will hold a press conference Saturday to confirm the LNP will contribute $15m towards the construction of the Cowboys’ $45 million new training facility in Townsville’s CBD.
The PM’s pledge follows high-level negotiations with powerful Cowboys’ millionaire chairman Laurence Lancini.
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The multipurpose facility will be built adjacent to the $250 million North Queensland Stadium which will be home to the Cowboys from next season.
A passionate Cronulla Sharks fan, Morrison is a strident supporter of the NRL and is determined to ensure the Cowboys never die after their maiden premiership win in 2015 inspired the north Queensland region.
The Courier-Mail last week revealed the Cowboys needed to source $30 million in funding to establish a new home - with club chairman Laurence Lancini admitting the issue threatened North Queensland’s long-term future.
But Morrison’s pledge, to be included in the Federal Government budget, has safeguarded the Cowboys.
The Cowboys will personally contribute $15m to the project. Club bosses are hoping for an additional $5m from the State Government and will consider taking out a bank loan - an estimated $10 million - to finance any shortfall.
The Broncos last year opened their $27.2m headquarters after receiving State and Federal Government support and now their Queensland archrivals will get the training facility to help them keep pace with the NRL’s richest clubs.
The Cowboys plan to move into their new home, a 17,000-square metre site that will feature medical, sports science, research and rehabilitation services, before the start of the 2021 season.
Their current base at 1300 Smiles Stadium is expected to be demolished over the next 18 months.
Lancini said last week the Cowboys’ long-term prosperity hinged on support from the government.
“As a club, we are happy to fund part of it ourselves, but we need help from governments to chip in,” he said.
“If we don’t get the help we need, our survival is under threat.
“That’s not an overstatement, that’s a fact.
“Under our plan, we will keep as many young kids in north Queensland as possible.
“If we don’t keep up with the modern facilities in the current age, we will go downhill. It would have a major impact on our roster, our club and our finances.
“If we can’t compete, there is no doubt it will have significant effects on the viability of the Cowboys.
“There is no question.”
Retired Cowboys legend Johnathan Thurston says a new headquarters will take the club to a new level of performance.
“A new facility would be a game-changer for the club,” he said.
“It won’t just be for the Cowboys. This is the final piece in the puzzle to the new stadium that will always help the community.
“This is a huge issue.
“If we can’t keep local kids in our community, playing for the Cowboys, it will threaten the club’s future.
“The Broncos are one of the richest clubs in the game and look at the new facility they have got, which came from government funding. It’s state-of-the-art and it’s what NRL clubs need these days.
“We have been a consistent club now for a number of years, but the other teams in the NRL are all building Centres of Excellence.
“It’s been wonderful to get a new stadium and I just hope the Cowboys get support from the government for a training facility as well.
“It’s important the Cowboys don’t get left behind.
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