The redevelopment of Ballymore is a step closer to reality after the Federal Government today announced a $15 million funding commitment to the project, matching the ALP's election promise.
The support from both sides of government guarantees federal funding for the proposed National Rugby Training Centre (NRTC), which will include the headquarters for women's rugby in Australia.
Sports Minister Bridget McKenzie made the announcement at Ballymore on Tuesday morning, ensuring whichever side of politics wins the election this weekend, federal funding for the project has been locked in.
State funding is still needed for the $35 million project but the Queensland Rugby Union has had positive discussions with the Queensland Government about a matching $15 million commitment, with Australian Rugby also contributing $5 million to the project.
"It’s always fantastic to see the people of Brisbane have an opportunity to get more active more often, and that’s what our government wants to see," Minister McKenzie said at the announcement.
"Part of 2030, the national sport plan, focuses on increasing participation because every one dollar we spend on sport and physical activity saves in our health budget. So its really good for the community physically, mentally and our social cohesion.
"And iconic places like Ballymore play a key role in the key pieces of social cohesion that are sport and the power of sport.
"We have seen an absolute explosion in the participation of young women and girls right across the nation in our four codes of football.
"(That) 32,000 women play rugby union is a great stat but we want to see more and we’re not bad at it with our Wallaroos.
"But they need a home, here at Ballymore so they can continue to develop, so they can have access to high performance training that they deserve as athletes. We want this facility to be the home of women’s rugby in Australia, right here at the iconic Ballymore stadium.
"We also want it to be part of the community because we know you can’t be what you can’t see. So (it's tremendous) having these fabulous female elite athletes here in the community, doing their training, getting into local schools, integrating into local clubs, that can inspire the next generation of young women to join their local rugby union club and get more active and enjoy this fabulous sport."
The QRU and Rugby Australia welcomed the commitment, which will help turn Ballymore Park into a world-class sports precinct and community facility.
The growth and strength of the women's game has been a key driver for the NRTC, with Ballymore to become the permanent base for Australia's women's XVs program as well as a home for the Wallabies while in Queensland.
The facility will also house the Reds, QRU's academy and Queensland Academy of Sport sevens programs, as well as referee, club administration and representative programs.
Queensland Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer David Hanham said the NRTC would be the centrepiece of a transformation of the ageing Ballymore precinct into a world-class community sporting facility.
“I would like to thank Minister McKenzie and local member Trevor Evans for their commitment to Ballymore,” Hanham said.
“The NRTC is crucial to the development of the game and will also help the QRU devote more resources into grassroots rugby by alleviating the $1.5 million maintenance costs for the ageing Ballymore facilities.
“It is also an exciting project for our community, preserving and enhancing their access to the precinct. Our vision is for a sporting facility with extensive parks and activities that invite our neighbours in, rather than keeping them out.”
Rugby Australia chief executive officer Raelene Castle said the funding commitment for the NRTC secures a bright future for one of Australia’s iconic rugby landmarks.
“Rugby Australia is extremely grateful for the support of the Australian government for a world-class facility, which has paved the way for the Government to bring to life the original vision of the former liberal Prime Minister, John Howard, for Ballymore," Castle said.
“We have been fortunate to have received strong support for our game, from grassroots to the elite level – particularly here in Queensland – from the current Government to fund critical infrastructure, in addition to backing key projects, such as our Women’s Rugby World Cup Bid and our scoping for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
“The NRTC will be a transformational home for our women’s fifteen-a-side program and a world-class option for Qantas Wallabies training camps and the delivery of development and pathways programs.
“Securing bi-partisan Government support for the development of the NRTC is a crucial step forward in Rugby Australia and the QRU’s plans for Ballymore and we will continue to work with the Queensland Government to unlock a matching commitment”.
Queensland Super W captain and Wallaroo forward Kiri Lingman said the new Ballymore development would be hugely beneficial to Australian women's rugby.
"Ballymore is really special to the women’s game," Lingman said.
"The no.1 thing we ask for in the women’s program is support and it’s the no.1 thing we need. A development like this is a key telling of the support we do have and moving into the next World Cup, and the World Cup after that, Australian rugby and the Wallaroos will be really competitive.
"This is exactly the place we need, a high performance centre where we can train and perform at the World Cup."
The redevelopment would include an integrated 3000 seat stand replacing the McLean Stand’s capacity, allowing for games such as Queensland Premier Rugby club finals as well as Wallaroos Tests and other matches.
The facility will also be able to cater for other sporting events of between 10 to 12,000 spectators.
