Sports events kick $18M into local economy

Published 24 September 2019

Intrust Super Cup Grand Final captains

Regardless of who takes home the trophy from this weekend’s Intrust Super Cup Grand Final at Dolphin Stadium, the big winner will be Moreton Bay Region.

More than 7,000 footy fans are expected to converge on Redcliffe this weekend, injecting tens of thousands of dollars into the local economy.  

Council’s economic development spokesperson Cr Peter Flannery said major sporting events have kicked an estimated $18 million into the Moreton Bay Region over the past two years, and already the 2020 calendar is shaping up to be one of the most lucrative yet.

“Council’s record investment into state-of-the-art sporting infrastructure is paying off, with an increasing number of state and national leagues looking to stage elite competitions in Moreton Bay Region,” Cr Flannery said.

“Council has invested close to $60,000 to help secure 10 major sporting competitions in 2020, which will bring more than 10,000 competitors and spectators and pump an estimated $7.3 million into the local economy.

“Over the past three years we’ve spent more than $100 million transforming sporting infrastructure around our region, and it’s not just so that local kids have the best training surfaces to push themselves to become the best athletes possible.

“This has been a strategic business decision which has seen 21 major state and national level sporting events held here since 2018, attracting 25,159 competitors and spectators and injecting an estimated $18 million into our local economy.

“And that’s just the start, I’m hoping to see every elite-level playing surface in our region hosting state and national events and we’re already working on the 2021 calendar.”

Council partners with Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism (MBRIT) to attract major events to the region.  

Spokesperson for Sport Cr Koliana Winchester said the return on investment spoke for itself.

“Sporting competitions can run over three or four days, providing valuable visitor nights for our tourism industry,” she said.

“That’s why we’re investing a massive $34 million this financial year into sport and recreation projects across our region to ensure these teams keep coming back.

“We’ve got all the right ingredients - Moreton Bay Region is easy to get around, there’s an abundance of accommodation options to suit all budgets and the hospitality of our region is second to none.

“This is invaluable business for local hoteliers, restaurants and retailers because sporting competitions are often held during the shoulder seasons for tourism, which lifts their bottom-line.

“We know from the positive feedback of event-goers that local businesses roll out the red carpet to welcome these visitors to our region and many choose to extend their stay beyond the event to really enjoy the sights of our region.” 

Moreton Bay Region will host the following State and National sporting events in 2020:

  • 2020 Oceania Triathlon Union Oceania Championship
  • 2020 Baseball Queensland State Championship Events
  • 2020 Country Woman’s Golf Championship
  • 2020 Queensland School Sport Softball Championship
  • 2020 Fox Superflow Seal by Stans Series
  • 2020 Golf Australia State Inclusive Championship
  • 2020 Softball Qld Masters Championships
  • 2020 Table Tennis National Schools Championship
  • 2020 Golf Australia Mid-Amateur Championship
  • 2020 Cycling Queensland Road Team Series and Graded Event
  • 2021 Squash Australian Junior Open
  • 2021 Baseball Queensland State Champ Events
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