Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio ready to talk with NRL, State Government on future annual fixture

Toowoomba’s political leaders have revealed the opportunities and obstacles facing the city as it pursues an annual NRL fixture. One recent development has blown the field wide open.

Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio and Deputy Mayor Geoff McDonald; scenes from the Dragons-Roosters NRL game at Clive Berghofer Stadium in Toowoomba in August.

Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio hopes to be on a flight soon to speak with the NRL about what’s needed to secure an annual match for the city in the coming years.

With the region still on an emotional high two months after hosting the fixture between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Sydney Roosters, Toowoomba’s political leaders have set their sights on locking in a regular fixture that would deliver hundreds of thousands to the city every year.

This push has been strengthened by the State Government’s plan to upgrade Clive Berghofer Stadium to at least a 15,000-seat capacity, opening the door for top-flight rugby league, union and football matches.

Having established a strong relationship with the game’s government body, Mr Antonio said he wanted to head down to Sydney with his deputy Geoff McDonald once lockdown restrictions eased further to continue negotiations.

Alternatively, an invitation has been extended for NRL chairman Peter V’landys and CEO Andrew Abdo to come up to experience the Garden City for themselves.

“They’re interested in Toowoomba becoming part of an annual game,” he said.

“Councillor McDonald and I intend to fly to Sydney as soon as we can — the day will come, both Geoff and I are fully-vaccinated.

“They’ll be invited to come to town to get a sense of Toowoomba and see where we are.”

Mr Antonio said he also wanted to open a dialogue with an NRL club interested in bringing a match to Toowoomba.

Mr McDonald said the announcement of the Redcliffe Dolphins as the NRL’s 17th team also changed the landscape for Toowoomba.

“With the announcement of the latest team, it opens up more opportunities, and Redcliffe has a terrific facility and the Warriors are playing a few games next year,” he said.

“There are opportunities to open up every avenue and we’ve got a good relationship with the NRL, following this year.

“It’s important for the government to commit to a 15,000-seat stadium in Toowoomba, that gives us added incentives.”