Plans to relocate an NRLW team to Cairns have been reignited with election promise

The relocation of a women’s national rugby league team to Cairns is back on the agenda after a multimillion dollar funding pledge by the federal Opposition.

A coalition funding pledge has breathed new life into stalled plans to relocation the North Queensland Cowboys Women's team to Cairns. New design plans for the Cairns Community, Development & High Performance Centre. Picture: supplied.

The relocation of a women’s national rugby league team to Cairns is back on the agenda after a critical funding pledge by the federal Opposition.

A Dutton Coalition Government will provide $15m to support the relocation of the North Queensland Cowboys Women’s NRL team by funding a high performance training facility for female athletes, integrated health services, community access features and the supporting of local talent pathways.

North Queensland Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel still had aspirations for the women’s team to be relocated and playing in Cairns by the 2027 season. Picture: John Gass.

North Queensland Cowboys chief executive Jeff Reibel said the funding was centred on a high performance centre at West Barlow Park that would offer athletes elite opportunities.

“We envisage that centre will be a $30m investment and the purpose of that centre will be then to locate our NRLW team in Cairns,” Mr Reibel said.

“They’ll use the centre as our training and our administration base and then they’ll also use the upgraded Barlow Park to play their games out of.

“To give our women players a world-class facility, their own community and playing out of a world class stadium in the upgraded Barlow Park gives an opportunity for them to be able to shine on the national stage.”

The $15m pledge is centred around a high performance centre in West Barlow Park. Artists rendition of the Cairns Community, Development & High Performance Centre. Picture: supplied.

The planned move was originally backed by the former Queensland Labor government last year as an election promise.

After taking office in November, the newly elected Crisafulli government have kept silent on whether or not they would help fund the move.

Despite the lack of clarity from the state government and funding that now appears dependent on a Coalition victory, Mr Reibel still had his eyes set on the 2027 season.

“This was the vision of our founders and to announce its continuation in our Anniversary year is an absolute privilege,” he said. 

LNP candidate for Leichhardt Jeremy Neal said the funding pledge meant young women had the chance to grow and develop as athletes without having to move. Picture: Brendan Radke

Federal Opposition sport spokesman Angus Taylor said relocating the Cowboys NRLW team to Cairns would boost jobs, energise women’s sport and create a lasting economic and social impact.

“This is the kind of forward-thinking regional investment we need more of and only a Coalition Government through prudent economic management will deliver it,” he said. LNP candidate for Leichhardt Jeremy Neal said the announcement was a massive step forward for sport in the region.

Originally published as Plans to relocate an NRLW team to Cairns have been reignited with election promise