Children will have the chance of free admission to see their AFL heroes play live when Townsville’s historic first NAB Cup is held in March 2013.
Tickets go on sale tomorrow for the city’s first AFL NAB Cup match, which will be the centrepiece of Townsville’s 2013 Festival of Footy.
Mayor Jenny Hill took to the field at Tony Ireland Stadium today with local junior players to kick off sales for the big game.
The festival will run from February to April 2013 with the signature game, the NAB Cup match between the Gold Coast SUNS and North Melbourne, on Saturday March 2.
The festival will also include a Defence Force v Townsville AFL match, a Sportsmans Dinner, the Under 15 National Kickstart Championship and the Australia Post AFL Community Camp which will see players from the Gold Coast SUNS engage with the local community in a series of events over two days.
Mayor Jenny Hill said the city’s first AFL NAB Cup match was a great coup for Townsville.
“It is fantastic that we have been able to secure this national sporting event for the city and the hype will definitely start to build in the coming months,” Cr Hill said.
“Council has worked closely with AFL Queensland and Townsville AFL to secure the match which is going to provide great exposure and economic benefit for the city.”
Free admission to the game is available for children under 6 and also to young people aged under 15 as long as their tickets are booked beforehand.
“The Australia Post AFL community camp will also be a wonderful opportunity for local clubs, players and our up-and-coming stars of the sport to learn from the best,” Cr Hill said.
“Townsville is fast becoming a regional sports capital and I am confident that the community support of this event will take us a step closer to securing a regular AFL fixture.”
AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou said the NAB Cup match in early March was a sporting coup for Townsville and predicted strong support from the many local AFL fans.
“People in the Townsville region love their sport and it is a credit to the community that the city has earned the right to host a NAB Cup match between two great AFL sides,” Mr Demetriou said.
Tickets are on sale at 9am, Wednesday 19 December from Ticketshop – 4727 9797 or www.ticketshop.com.au or at Townsville Civic Theatre or Riverway. Corporate packages are available from Townsville Enterprise – 4726 2742 or lisa.b@tel.com.au
For more information visit: www.townsville.qld.gov.au or www.afl.com.au.
NAB CUP Round 2: GOLD COAST SUNS v NORTH MELBOURNE
3.30pm, Saturday 2 March
Tony Ireland Stadium
Riverway Drive, Kirwan
Grandstand $25
Adult General Admission $20
Concession General Admission $14
Children under 15 Free if booked in advance
$5.50 at the gate
Children under 6 Free
Media information: 4727 9582
Last Modified on 04/03/2013 11:31