Newcastle and Townsville City Councils combine to secure future women’s State of Origin fixtures

The cities of Townsville and Newcastle have joined forces to campaign to the NRL for a permanent share in the future of Women’s State of Origin matches.

A proposal sent by Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill to the Lord Mayor of Newcastle Nuatali Nelmes has outlined the potential for matches to be held in each city, effectively bringing origin matches to regional heartlands for the sport.

Mayor Hill said she was thrilled that her Novocastrian counterpart has agreed to put her full support behind the initiative and to join the fight to have both cities recognised as the logical homes for future Origin matches.

Explaining that it makes perfect sense to host these matches in true rugby league territory, and that a record attendance of over 18,000 at the Women’s State of Origin Match at Queensland Country Bank Stadium was proof of this, Mayor Hill stated “Townsville has smashed the record for game attendance this week, and we put on an amazing show when Origin first came to the city in 2021.

“Townsville has proven to be the sporting and events capital of the North and we will now take the fight together with the people of Newcastle to secure permanent Women’s Origin matches in both our cities.”

Mayor Hill advised that a joint letter to Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) Chairman Peter V’landys has been sent, requesting a meeting to hash out the details and make the proposal become a reality.

She added “I believe that once we have locked in Women’s Origin, we both cities will have a strong case for taking a permanent share of one of the three Men’s Origin Matches.”

Lord Mayor Nelmes said that Newcastle and Townsville are the rightful cities to host Women’s State of Origin, adding “both Newcastle and Townsville have rich rugby league histories, exceptionally passionate fan bases and an eagerness to work together with our colleagues at all levels of government to highlight our great cities as premiere sporting destinations in New South Wales and Queensland.

"I know Novocastrians would strongly welcome State of Origin, which would serve to boost our visitor economy, help to create local jobs and support local industries while continuing to highlight our city as an amazing tourist destination."

The joint letter to the ARLC outlines a commitment to fight for their communities and emphasise the significance of regional heartlands for rugby league.

Both Mayor’s reiterated their position in the letter that the game’s governing body in Australia owes it to some of the game’s most ardent fans to give this proposal the fullest consideration.

Images: The Newcastle and Townsville City Councils are looking for future women’s State of Origin fixtures to be staged at the Queensland Country Bank Stadium (top) and McDonald Jones Stadium (below).