North Ipswich Reserve to host NRL guns in pre-season trial match
21 February 2024
North Ipswich Reserve, the heart of rugby league in Ipswich, will host two of the big guns of the NRL men’s competition in a pre-season trial match this Sunday, 25 February.
The Gold Coast Titans and the Paramatta Eels will clash in the 4pm feature before a packed crowd at the home of the Ipswich Jets rugby league team and breeding ground for the likes of Alfie Langer, Kevin Walters and Ali Brigginshaw.
Ipswich City Council CEO Sonia Cooper said the trial between the Titans and Eels will be one of the highlights on the Ipswich sporting calendar.
“This match-up will excite every rugby league fan in the city. It’s also a first look for fans at the new rule which encourages more use of short dropouts and kick-offs and of course the chance to see off-season recruits run out in their new colours,” Ms Cooper said.
“These two teams play an exciting brand of football and have some of the most passionate and loyal fans.
“The Titans and Eels played in two of the most memorable NRL games in the 2023 season. The Titans won 26-24 at home in May, while the Eels got their revenge with a narrow 25-24 in July.
“This Sunday promises to be every bit as close as the teams take part in this vital pre-season game only a few weeks out from the NRL competition officially kicking off.”
Ms Cooper said Ipswich City Council was sponsoring the day, which would also feature a curtain-raiser between Hostplus Cup rivals, the Ipswich Jets and Souths Logan Magpies.
One of council’s key future projects is the North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct. Council is advocating for $10 million in state investment to supplement the $20 million it secured from the Federal Government to deliver a national standard sport and entertainment precinct.
“On the North Ipswich Reserve, council is determined to see this important sporting hub developed into a future home for our young and emerging athletes, to be a place where they can see their sporting heroes run out onto the field, and train to become the next generation of greats,” Ms Cooper said.
“NRL matches of this significance are an important stepping-stone for the city and prove that our sports-mad community want the big games here and council is capable of staging them. We also see a revamped reserve as a potential Brisbane 2032 Games venue or at least training facility for visiting nations.”
The Jets and the Titans recently announced a partnership for 2024, which will see players from the Gold Coast play in the Hostplus Cup with the Jets each week.
Ticket prices for Sunday vary between $10 for junior through to $60 for a family pass. Tickets can be purchased online here: https://www.intix.com.au/event/titans-vs-eels-trial-match-25th-feb-2024/general_admission
Ipswich City Council is operating under caretaker provisions in accordance with Chapter 3, Part 5 of the Local Government Act 2009. Media communications by the Mayor and Councillors as ICC spokespeople during this time are limited to ensure compliance with legislation and, equity and transparency between existing Mayor, Councillors and candidates regarding access to Council resources.