Cairns-PNG NRL bid could accelerate economy and increase participation, former Far North administrator says
Sidelining Cairns’ involvement in establishing a NRL franchise in Papua New Guinea is a mistake that will cost the Far North fans, funding and infrastructure, with the Cowboys failing to service the key footy heartland, a former powerbroker says.
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Sidelining Cairns’ involvement in establishing a NRL franchise in Papua New Guinea is a mistake that will cost the Far North fans, funding and infrastructure, with the Cowboys failing to service the key footy heartland, a former powerbroker says.
In an historic moment for both countries, the Pacific nation is all but certain to secure an NRL licence next month along with a $600m Federal Government funding package.
As part of the agreement, it’s understood that the club would maintain a strong connection to Cairns with administrators and staff set to be based both in the Far North and Port Moresby.
But pressure from the Townsville-based Cowboys over Cairns’ involvement has prompted ARL chairman Peter V’landys to publicly walk the deal back recently, despite Prime Minister Anthony Albanese backing the bid.
“You have to have the team full-time in PNG and we’re also not going to affect the ecosystem in North Queensland where the Cowboys have been so successful,” Mr V’Landys said over the weekend.
“No, we won’t be basing any new team in Cairns.
“If you want it to work, you don’t base it in Australia. How are the people of PNG going to engage with their team when it’s based in Cairns?”
The comments disappointed former Northern Pride chairman Tony Williamson, declaring that any PNG team entering the national competition will need to base some of its personnel in the Far North.
“They’ll need Australian staff, players, coaches and administrators to help them out,” Mr Williamson, who served as the Cowboys’ feeder club’s chair for six years, said.
“PNG is known to be one of the most dangerous countries in the world. To recruit and bring them into that setting just doesn’t make sense.
“Cairns is a safe and attractive alternative and Port Moresby is just a 90-minute flight away. It’s closer than Brisbane.”
Mr Williamson also took aim at the Cowboys’ attempts to thwart the city’s NRL dreams.
“I’m sick of them saying this is their heartland and that Cairns is their home,” he said.
“Truth be told, there are probably more Cowboys and Bunnies supporters up here anyway.
“They’re the Townsville Cowboys. If they wanted to be North Queensland they should have always been playing home games in Cairns, Mackay and Mt Isa.”
Rather than hurting the Cowboys, a new NRL team with ties to Cairns would only help to grow the game, Mr Williamson said.
“Did Redcliffe (Dolphins) cannibalise the Broncos? I don’t think so. If anything, it helped them,” he said.
“This will change the whole landscape of rugby league in this region.
“It will only make the game stronger, increase participation and drive sponsorship and upgrading facilities.
“It’s not about taking business off the Cowboys. This is about providing PNG with a pathway to get their national sport up-and-running.”
In December, Cairns Regional Council resolved to work collaboratively with NRL Bid 25 Ltd, which was established to progress an application for an NRL licence for a PNG based team.
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