Mackay will experience its first taste of Suncorp Super Netball with the Queensland Firebirds and Collingwood Magpies to play a pre-season double-header there next month.
In the first significant hit out for the year, the Firebirds will do battle with fellow SSN rivals the Collingwood Magpies in back-to-back matches at the Mackay Basketball Stadium.
The first match will be played on Thursday 10 February followed up by an epic Friday night battle, with both games starting at 6pm.
General Manager Queensland Firebirds and Elite Pathways, Demelza Fellowes, said the opportunity to take two pre-season matches to Mackay was a fantastic opportunity for all.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be heading to Mackay for these matches against the Magpies,” said Fellowes.
“Our Club proudly represents the entire state of Queensland, and we don’t get to play in front of the regional fans as much as we like, so to have this opportunity, thanks to Mackay Regional Council, is really fantastic.
“It will be our first major hit out for the pre-season, with the entire squad together, so the matches will be really important in setting up our season. It would be wonderful to have the support of the region and hopefully put on a good show in front of a packed house at Mackay Basketball Stadium.”
The pre-season event is expected to sell-out on both nights with Mackay being one of Queensland’s regional cities with an undeniable passion for netball and the Firebirds.
Lyn Law, a life member and current competitions board member of Mackay Netball Association, said the announcement would have Mackay buzzing with excitement.
“To be able to watch the Queensland Firebirds take the court in our hometown, on our home court, is just so special and something the Mackay netball community has waited a very long time to have come to fruition,” Law said.
“Mackay has always had a great relationship with the Firebirds and hosted many Firebirds player clinics but having the ‘Birdies’ in town for preseason trial games is the ultimate.
“It’s an amazing opportunity for our aspiring Firebirds to observe their heroes plying their court craft and something for them to take away and begin trying new things to enhance their own skill set.”
Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said this was a fantastic opportunity for the region and especially for young netball enthusiasts.
“The Mackay region loves its sport and netball is definitely one that is embraced by our residents,” Williamson said.
“An event the size of this one, with about 2,000 attendees across both matches, will provide an economic stimulus for our region of more than $130,000.
“This is another example of how our world-class facilities enable us to attract and play host to the calibre of both of these teams.”
The decision to play the pre-season matches in Mackay is a further commitment of the Queensland Firebirds to continue to grow the game of netball across the state including regional areas.
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