Cairns NRL bid for PNG stumped by Cowboys NRLW proposal for FNQ

Negotiations are underway to bring a second top-tier sports club to Cairns, but it’s a move which could kill the city’s PNG NRL bid dead in its tracks.

Negotiations are underway for Barlow Park to potentially become the home of the Cowboys NRLW side.

An NRLW team could soon call Barlow Park home with officials set to visit the Far North again this week as part of bold new plans to relocate the squad by 2026.

The North Queensland Cowboys’ women’s team played a trial game against the Gold Coast Titans in Gordonvale earlier this month, holding an open session for fans at Alley Park.

But away from the field, Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel and chair Lewis Ramsay have been quietly advancing a bid to shift the women’s program, meeting with community leaders in an effort to strengthen ties in the region.

It’s understood that Jones Park in Westcourt was briefly considered as a potential home ground and training facility for the Cowboys women.

Tahlulah Tillett scores a try in the NRLW pre season match between the North Queensland Cowboys women and the Gold Coast Titans women's team, held at Alley Park, Gordonvale. Picture: Brendan Radke

But following an inspection, the venue was quickly discarded in favour of Barlow Park, with the multipurpose facility’s upgraded lighting capacity from 500 lux to broadcast standard and future upgrades ahead of the 2032 Olympics, giving it the edge.

The Cowboys QRL feeder team, the Northern Pride is also based at Barlow Park.

Sources familiar with the proposal believe a key hurdle will be ensuring the women’s players have access to facilities equal to the men in Townsville, with the Cowboys opening their $40m high performance centre in 2021.

But, as exclusively reported by the Cairns Post in June, Sports Minister Michael Healy has instructed his department to look into establishing a Sporting Centre of Excellence in the region with Premier Steven Miles giving his “in-principle” support.

Negotiations are underway for Barlow Park to potentially become the home of the Cowboys NRLW side. Picture: Brendan Radke

If successful, it’s hoped that the Cowboys women’s program would use the facility along with other elite athletes.

Mr Reibel and Mr Ramsay have met with Cairns mayor Amy Eden as well as Member for Cairns Michael Healy with negotiations expected to advance when the club’s top brass meet with the council again later this week.

If successful, the Cowboys’ major move would almost certainly spell the end of the Far North city playing a role in the Papua New Guinean NRL bid.

While in Cairns last week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the PNG bid would benefit the region regardless of whether the city played any formal role in the future franchise’s establishment.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week said the PNG bid would benefit the region regardless of whether the city played any formal role in the future franchise’s establishment. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We’re in negotiations about a range of issues when it comes to PNG entering a team into the NRL,” Mr Albanese said.

“The focus is very much on economic development for PNG but we know that a strong Papua New Guinea will have significant benefits for Cairns.”

Earlier this month, Cairns Regional Council revealed a bold vision to turn Cairns region into the pre-eminent destination for women’s sport in Australia.

The council has also backed a bid to host the inaugural AFLW Gather Round in 2025.

The Cowboys’ women’s team lost their season opener 14-0 to the Cronulla Sharks at the weekend.

The club declined to comment on the potential women’s teams’ shift to Cairns.

Originally published as Cairns NRL bid for PNG stumped by Cowboys NRLW proposal for FNQ