Country Week locations announced

Five Queensland towns will welcome the Intrust Super Cup into their communities for the first time as part of ‘Get in the Game’ Country Week, Acting Minister for Sports Shannon Fentiman announced today.

During today’s Channel Nine broadcast of the Intrust Super Cup match in Ipswich, it was revealed that Nanango, Pittsworth, Cloncurry, Thursday Island and Ilfracombe would all get their first taste of Queensland’s premier state-wide competition.

Ms Fentiman also confirmed the Intrust Super Cup would return to Ingham for the second time in 15 years.

Proudly presented by BHP, the highly-anticipated Country Week round will take place on the weekend of July 20-21.

Ms Fentiman said every corner of the state was passionate about the game; and as such deserved the “very best rugby league”.

“That’s why I am proud to announce the Palaszczuk Government is taking Round 18 of the Intrust Super Cup back to regional and outback Queensland,” Ms Fentiman said.

“From inspiring kids to take up sport, to injecting cash into our regional economies – there’s no doubt that everyone benefits when the footy comes to town.

“2019 is the Year of the Outback, so why not make this Intrust Super Cup Country Round your best reason to head bush.”

BHP Communities Manager Melita Shirley said the opportunity to take the Intrust Super Cup further into regional Queensland was a key reason why BHP was proud to be involved with the QRL.

“BHP employs more than 11,000 people through our mining operations in the Bowen Basin, and for many of us, playing and supporting rugby league is an integral part of what makes us such proud Queenslanders,’’ Ms Shirley said. 

QRL Managing Director Robert Moore said NRL Game Development teams, former rugby league greats and QRL directors and staff from all departments would engage with local communities throughout the course of the weekend.

“We’re extremely grateful to the Queensland Government for its sponsorship and support of this initiative, as they share our passion for the game in rural and regional Queensland,” Moore said.

“I’ve seen first-hand how much joy this event brings to outback communities, as well as our players and coaches who embrace the opportunity to travel far and wide to showcase their skills and engage with local fans.

“Last year, more than $100,000 in profit was generated by the local clubs and leagues who hosted Country Weeks games; and we look forward to seeing this event deliver another positive financial outcome in 2019.”

‘Get in the Game’ Intrust Super Cup Country Week presented by BHP

Round 18: July 20-21, 2019