An elected Dutton Coalition Government will invest $15 million to boost women’s sport and bring the North Queensland Cowboys National Rugby League Women’s (NRLW) team to Cairns.
The Coalition will support the construction of a dedicated Community, Development and High-Performance Centre in the heart of the city to inspire future generations of female athletes.
This landmark commitment will cement Cairns as the home of the Cowboys NRLW program, co-located with the Northern Pride at West Barlow Park, and create a new focal point for elite women’s sport in Far North Queensland.
The facility will provide high-performance infrastructure for female athletes, integrate allied health and community access features, and expand pathways for local talent – all while injecting millions into the local economy and creating jobs during construction and operation.
The plan has strong local support, including from Cairns Regional Council, Advance Cairns and Tourism Tropical North Queensland. It is also aligned with long-term planning for the Cairns Major Events Precinct and complements the broader sporting legacy of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
The $15 million capital investment will:
- Deliver a world-class training and recovery facility tailored for the Cowboys NRLW team
- Support the relocation of the Cowboys NRLW program to Cairns
- Strengthen community access to health, sport and wellbeing programs
- Create over 80 construction jobs and over 60 ongoing jobs (full-time equivalent)
- Position Cairns as the premier destination for women’s sport in Northern Australia