Built for FNQ. Backing our future athletes.
It is time we invest in our future sporting stars.
The demand for better sporting infrastructure in Far North Queensland continues to grow and in my recent community sporting survey, the feedback was clear and consistent.
Clubs, athletes, and families across the region are calling for greater access to quality facilities that meet the demands of our climate and support both participation and performance of our athletes, especially those who have potential to go the distance in elite sport and for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games.
I am calling for state investment to design, develop and build a Cowboys Community Sports Centre, as a second stage to their proposed NRLW headquarters in West Barlow Park.
The sports complex would be an indoor multi-sport facility that serves both community sport and elite development. Next door will be the High-Performance Centre built for the North Queensland Cowboys Women’s Team and provide a second base for the North Queensland Cowboys Men’s Team.
FNQ Athletes Deserve the Same Opportunities
This is a critical piece of infrastructure that Far North Queensland does not currently have. It responds directly to what local families, clubs, and athletes have been asking for.
Importantly, this project is about equity.
Young athletes in Far North Queensland deserve access to the same high-quality training facilities as those in South-East Queensland. At the moment, that gap exists, and it means many talented athletes are forced to leave the region to pursue opportunities.
This facility would help change that.
It would create a space where local athletes can train, develop, and progress at a high level without leaving their community.
The facility has the potential to also complement the High Performance Centre, ensuring that investment is fully utilised and that Cairns continues to strengthen its role in elite sport development.
The centre would be located at West Barlow Park, providing a central and accessible location for clubs across Cairns and the broader FNQ region.
The indoor field would ideally feature an astro-turf surface suitable for rugby league, rugby union, soccer, hockey, and other field-based sports. A pine court overlay would also allow for basketball, netball, volleyball, pickleball, and similar sports.
This investment would further strengthen Cairns’ position as a leading regional sporting hub. It delivers a true multi-sport facility that supports both community participation and high-performance training, aligning with the region’s growth in the lead-up to 2032 and beyond.
It also has the potential to enhance Cairns’ ability to attract elite teams, such as the Wallabies and the Japanese Rugby Team, bringing significant economic and sporting benefits to the region.
As your local MP, my role is to fight for the infrastructure our community needs and deserves.
This includes ensuring that our young athletes are not left behind simply because of where they live.
To stay up to date, please sign up here: Stay Up to Date on the Proposed Cowboys Community Sports Centre – Listening to Queensland
By signing up will you also be entered into the draw to WIN Cowboys Tickets to a game of your choice in Townsville plus a nights’ accommodation.
The prize:
- 4 X EASTERN GRANDSTAND SEATS: Enjoy all the excitement at Queensland Country Bank Stadium at a home game of your choice
- 1 NIGHT STAY AT THE VILLE RESORT-CASINO: Relax with overnight accommodation in a twin room
- Competition closes 1 August 2026.
