Darren Lockyer voices support to bring high-profile rugby league games to Roma

Rugby league legend Darren Lockyer has voiced his support for his former club’s efforts to bring high-profile games to regional towns, with plans being formulated to bring bigger games to western Qld.

Roma's Cities Rugby League Football Club has aspirations to host high-profile football games in the future, with league legend Darren Lockyer (right) showing his support. Photo: File.

In 1993, a young Darren Lockyer saw the Brisbane Broncos play a trial match in his hometown of Roma.

He already knew, of course, that he wanted to play rugby league professionally, but his dream was invigorated when the side came to town.

“I remember some big names came out to town,” he said.

The experience gave him just a little bit more motivation to “chase (his) dream”.

It’s an experience which might not be entirely out of reach for this generation’s rugby league hopefuls in Roma.

Cities Rugby League Football Club president, Paul Lavelle, said he has a vision for a “rugby league precinct,” which would allow high-profile games to be played in Roma.

Mr Lavelle said Cities RLFC finds itself in a unique position, where it owns its own ground and clubhouse.

Roma Cities Rugby League Club 1914.

Back in the 80s, a group of forwards on the Cities side mortgaged their own homes to buy a plot of land on Roma’s outskirts, which would end up becoming the club’s home field, Mr Lavelle said.

“It comes down to a pride thing, that we do own our own grounds,” he said.

While this means they don’t have to pay to use council land, the club does have to pay rates, which Mr Lavelle said currently costs the club between $8000 to $10,000 per year.

He said despite this financial commitment, the club continues to stand “on its own two feet,” but is enough to get in the way of the club’s ability to invest in infrastructure and development.

Mr Lavelle also expressed his concern that registration numbers in the sport are “dwindling.”

“Every club is struggling to keep player numbers,” he said.

“It is starting to get a resurgence and things are starting to look up.

“But, Covid didn’t help us, Netflix doesn’t help us, and video games don’t help us.

“At the moment we’re building a five to ten-year strategic plan, so that we can get more infrastructure in place.

“There’s nothing stopping us from being able to hold an NRL trial game.”

Darren Lockyer Brisbane Broncos legend Darren Lockyer has backed plans by his former club in Roma to build a precinct that could attract NRL-level matches. Thursday March 28, 2024. Picture, John Gass

Lockyer said getting high-profile games into town benefits the community, and injects energy into the sport at the grassroots level.

Country football clubs often find themselves “behind the eightball”, he said.

“You’ve gotta work harder to get the funding,” Lockyer said.

“I’d be hugely supportive of trying to improve the venue (in Roma) to get some bigger games and some bigger names.”

The Maranoa Regional Council is also in support of the club’s aspirations, voting unanimously in favour of waiving all costs for the grounds, including water, sewerage, and rates, in their August 14 meeting.

Deputy mayor Cameron O’Neil, said participation in sport has significant benefits for our health and also the social connection it creates for our region.

“Cities Rugby League Football Club has a long and proud history in the region and is recognised for both its dedicated players and passionate supporters,” he said.

“Rugby league is one of those sports that is at the heart of our community.

“This extra support will help Cities nurture its volunteers and continue to bring communities together through enabling even more people to get involved in local sports.”

There is no guarantee that any high-profile games will take place in Roma, but after Toowoomba hosted an NRL fixture during Covid-imposed lockdowns in 2021 anything is possible.

Originally published as Darren Lockyer voices support to bring high-profile rugby league games to Roma