The Queensland Rugby League (QRL) has today announced the North Ipswich Reserve as the venue for the 2013 Intrust Super Cup grand final.
The competitions showpiece match will be televised live on Channel 9, with the days program to also feature the FOGS Colts and FOGS Cup grand finals.
Weve selected a south east venue to cater for all competitions, QRL chief executive officer Robert Moore said today.
We see it as our responsibility to promote grand final day and provide a memorable experience for players from the three grades who have played all year.
Its our marquee day and were looking forward to taking our grand final back to a community venue.
Ipswich City Council mayor Paul Pisasale and his team are supporting the move, which will see the Reserve host its second Cup grand final.
We believe the North Ipswich Reserve is an ideal venue following the recent refurbishments, Moore said.
It has a new corporate facility and caters for families as well as the footy traditionalists who love watching rugby league from the hill.
Moore said the September 29 event would also provide a major boost for the code in the region.
In light of recent announcements from other sports in the Western Corridor, as a game we feel this will be of strong benefit to the region, he said.
Suncorp Stadium has hosted the past three Intrust Super Cup grand finals, but before that premiership deciders were held on the Sunshine Coast (2009) and Ipswich (2008).
Redcliffes Dolphin Oval was also the venue for three Cup grand finals from 2001 to 2003.
A lot of factors were taken into account before we reached a decision on this years venue and this whole process reinforces the need for a boutique rectangular stadium in south east Queensland, QRL chairman Peter Betros said.
The fact that we dont have this type of facility worked against us at the start of the year when the options for the Origin Under 20s match were being discussed.
At the recent Parliamentary Friends of Rugby League launch, patron Vaughan Johnson MP highlighted the need for rugby league to have a central home which could include a boutique stadium.
But for now the spotlight will be on the 2013 grand finals at the North Ipswich Reserve, a ground that QRL competitions manager Jamie OConnor says is steeped in rugby league tradition.
Suncorp Stadium is a wonderful venue which has captured some great theatre, however we anticipate the theatre to continue at the North Ipswich Reserve, OConnor said.
Our fans have so much to look forward to. This years Intrust Super Cup is the closest on record with six teams this weekend vying for the final three places in the top five.
Weve also got our Gala Dinner coming up next Wednesday night featuring the presentation of The Courier Mail medal and the XXXX Peoples Choice award.
Todays grand final venue announcement also provides an opportunity for fans and teams to plan ahead for the biggest day of the season.
The kick off time for the Intrust Super Cup match will be 4pm.
Ticketing and transport information will be published on www.qrl.com.au at a later date.
