Cairns nears elite women’s sport milestone

• Cairns positioned to become home of Cowboys NRLW team, a potential first for women’s sport in the city.
• Council approves landmark partnership with the North Queensland Cowboys for a new world-class training and community facility at West Barlow Park.
• $34.7M construction boost and 89 local jobs, plus $12.6M annual economic benefit once operational.
• Supports Council’s vision for Cairns to become Australia’s leading destination for women’s sport.

Young female footy stars could soon have unprecedented opportunities to connect with their sporting idols, with the proposed relocation of the Cowboys NRLW team to Cairns now a step closer.

The move marks an exciting new chapter for women’s sport in Far North Queensland, bringing elite-level football closer to local fans, inspiring the next generation of players, and showing budding female athletes that their sporting dreams are within reach.

Cairns Regional Council today approved a landmark partnership with the North Queensland Cowboys with plans underway to deliver a Community Development and High Performance Centre at West Barlow Park.

The agreement includes a proposed long-term lease that will pave the way for the High Performance Centre, a purpose-built, world-class training and community facility, the first of its kind in the region.

The project sets the stage for the arrival of Cairns’ first national women’s sporting team and represents a major step forward for local sport, community development, and the city’s growing reputation as a destination for women’s sport.

Mayor Amy Eden says the decision is a game-changing investment that could cement Cairns as a hub for sports tourism and elite training.

“The significance of this cannot be understated. This decision is a game changer. It moves Cairns closer to becoming Australia’s preeminent destination for women’s sport, not just as spectators but as hosts and champions of elite opportunity,” Mayor Eden said.

“It’s about more than a facility. It’s about creating pathways, pride and possibility for young women and girls right across our region. This is history in motion, and it’s happening here in Cairns.”

“This project ticks every box. It supports local jobs, enhances our sporting infrastructure, strengthens community partnerships and builds pride across the city,” Mayor Eden said.

“Crucially, it also fills a long-recognised gap in our city’s sporting landscape. Cairns has world class venues and facilities, but what we have been missing is a dedicated High Performance Centre. It is the vital piece that makes us truly competitive as a training base for elite teams on the green and gold runway to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Importantly, the existing public sporting field at the rear of the site will remain open for community and club use, ensuring the precinct continues to serve local players and residents.

Construction of the centre is expected to deliver a $34.7 million boost to the regional economy and create 89 full-time jobs, while ongoing operations will inject $12.6 million annually and support an estimated 62 ongoing jobs.

The proposed 30-year lease to the Cowboys will enable the club to construct and operate the new facility, which will include:

• A high-performance gym and recovery/rehabilitation zone
• Medical and physiotherapy suites
• NRLW and Northern Pride locker rooms
• Education and community spaces including a lecture theatre and multimedia studio
• A café and function room
• A skills and drills field linked to the existing West Barlow Park field

North Queensland Cowboys Chair Lewis Ramsay says this project represents an exciting opportunity to expand the Cowboys’ footprint in Far North Queensland and to strengthen our connection with the Cairns community.

“As has happened with the Hutchinson Builders Centre in Townsville, the benefits run far wider than the Cowboys. In addition to the grassroots benefits, state of the art facilities attract world class athletes,” Mr Ramsay said.

“Our NRLW team and associated staff will bring approximately 60 residents as well as 30 players and officials for every home fixture on top of spectators spending money in the local economy. We look forward to continuing to work with Council to progress this exciting opportunity.”

Council and the Cowboys will continue to explore future stages of the precinct, including additional facilities and partnership opportunities with educational and sporting organisations.