NRL legend Phil Gould and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs board members visited Bundaberg this week ahead of the team bringing one of its NRL home games to the region in August.
The match against North Queensland Cowboys is set to be a gamechanger for the region, which will inspire and delight local rugby league fans.
As general manager for the Bulldogs, Phil said it was terrific to bring one of their home games to regional Queensland.
“The Bulldogs are bringing one of our home games this year up to Queensland, to Bundaberg, playing against the Cowboys in round 21, so local Bundaberg people will be able to see live NRL action here in their home city,” Phil said.
“The Bulldogs have made a commitment for the next two or three years to come up here and play a game – maybe that will be extended down the track.
“We want to learn more about the area, more about junior rugby league participation and maybe even pathways through to the NRL.
“I’m excited for the start of the competition in a month’s time, but certainly really looking forward to coming up to Queensland later in the year.”
Bulldogs chairman John Khoury said the Bundaberg Region was the stand out choice for one of the regional NRL games to be held.
“There was five or six options presented to us, and Bundaberg was hands down the most attractive to us,” John said.
“I really like the collaboration with the Council, the State Government, Tourism Queensland and the NRL and of course the Bulldogs.”
John said the Bulldogs had a proud history of being a development club, giving young talent from regional communities, like Bundaberg, a chance to follow their NRL dreams to one day play on the national stage.
This partnership between Bundaberg Regional Council, the State Government and the Bulldogs will see the Bundaberg clash provide an economic boost to the region, while delighting and inspiring local rugby league fans.
Mayor Jack Dempsey said it was fantastic to welcome members from the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and to show them around the beautiful Bundaberg Region.
“It was great to be able to welcome the mighty Canterbury Bulldogs here to Bundaberg, to look over the facilities, meet with stakeholders for the up-and-coming NRL fixture between them and the mighty North Queensland Cowboys,” he said.
“Council is working in collaboration with the State Government to be able to get funds to entice the mighty Bulldogs here to Bundaberg for the next three years, and it’ll only be a success if people come and support this great event.”
The round 21 clash will take place in the at Salter Oval at 2 pm on Sunday 7 August. See the full 2022 NRL draw at nrl.com.
