Football superstar Wendell Sailor backs Mackay sporting precinct vision

‘We always talk about expanding the game … but we can’t forget about country areas like Mackay’

Retired rugby player Wendell Sailor has backed a push to expand Mackay’s sports facilities describing the region as a “sleeping giant” capable of hosting more games and events. Picture: Richard Dobson

Sarina football legend Wendell Sailor described Mackay as a “sleeping giant” capable of hosting bigger and better events.

The retired state and national rep player praised the region, which had produced and was still producing so much talent.

Daly Cherry-Evans, Dane Gagai, Dale Shearer, Cathy Freeman, Geoff Huegill, Meg Harris and Sailor himself – are just some of the examples of the depth the region has fostered.

“I’m always proud that I’ve come from there,” Sailor said.

“We always talk about expanding the game … but we can’t forget about country areas like Mackay, Toowoomba, Rockhampton.

“I just think that area just deserves an upgrade.”

Wendell Sailor has played elite level rugby league and union in his career. He praised the depth of talent Mackay has and continues to produce.

Sailor made a name for himself in both rugby league and union. He played for the Broncos before switching codes in 2001 and playing for the Queensland Reds and then the Wallabies.

He said he was not surprised Mackay had attracted three NRL games this year and it reinforced the importance of making sure country regions shared in that spotlight.

“Mackay is getting recognition,” he said.

The Daily Mercury is behind a push to overhaul our sporting precinct to attract high-level events.

“Mackay is a bit of a sleeping giant … I reckon they could host more games.

“And when you go there … the local crowd turns up.”

Not just from Mackay, he said, but fans travelled from the Whitsundays, Central Queensland, up from Rockhampton and down from Townsville.

“It’s a wonderful region to host sporting events,” Sailor said.

Wendell Sailor at a Mackay Cutters training session in 2012. The retired player who now calls major games said he got goosebumps when he recalled playing on home soil. Picture: Tony Martin

“A guy like Daly Cherry-Evans …. If he was to go back there … he’d be so proud.”

Sailor recalled a game in Mackay when he played for the Burleigh Bears in the reserve grade after returning to the sport following a time out.

“Just to go back and play in front of my home crowd with people that I grew up with that had a big part in my career,” he said.

“It made me so proud.

“Mum was there to watch me.

“It was one of those things you never forget. It gives me butterflies thinking about it.”

Sailor believed some sort of conjoined accommodation/sporting facility where players could stay and train would really help cement Mackay as a firm option moving forward.

“It’s all about accessibility,” he said.

“Some teams don’t like to travel to different fields.”

Originally published as Football superstar Wendell Sailor backs Mackay sporting precinct vision