North Queensland’s new stadium is now known as Queensland Country Bank Stadium, after Queensland Country Bank signed a six year naming rights partnership with the venue.
Former Queensland Country Chair Bruno Cullen said the investment was part of the organisation’s focus on giving back to the community and aligned well with plans to convert from a credit union to a member-owned bank (which occurred in late February 2020).
“Being member-owned, it’s important that we’re a part of the community and investing in things our Members care about, and we do this through education, grants, charity partnerships and sponsoring teams like the North Queensland Cowboys” Mr Cullen said.
“We’re so excited that the opportunity to add the stadium to the list of ways we’re investing in Queensland communities coincides with our change to become a member-owned bank.
“It also comes on the back of two recent mergers with ECU Australia based in Cairns, and Queenslanders Credit Union based in Brisbane. These mergers saw our assets grow by over $700M and membership grow by 25,000. The exposure we get from this commitment will certainly be state-wide and cover our now state-wide membership.
”We can’t wait to be involved in the incredible major events, sport and community activities set to take place there,” he said.
The new 25,000 seat stadium is now complete and has drawn in major sporting events (State of Origin, Rugby Union) and internationally known artists such as Elton John and KISS (coming December, 2021). Queensland Country Bank Stadium is also home to the North Queensland Cowboys during the NRL season.
Minister for Sport, Mick de Brenni said Queensland Country was the perfect partner for the new venue.
“We look forward to welcoming Queensland Country to the team, and delivering outstanding events for our passionate sports fans, once the venue opens in February,” Mr de Brenni said.
“Queensland Country Bank Stadium has a wonderful ring to it, and I know this will be a stadium North Queenslanders will be proud to call their own,” he said.
“This venue has been built by locals, and I’m delighted that the successful naming rights partner is also a local, with head-office in Townsville and nearly 50 years’ experience supporting hardworking regional Queenslanders,” he said.
The Stadium project is a joint project of the Queensland Government, Australian Government and Townsville City Council and is supported by both the NRL and the North Queensland Cowboys.
The stadium forms part of the Townsville City Deal signed in December 2016.