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The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Locals want to sink bid for new Olympic whitewater site
A plan to build a Brisbane 2032 whitewater venue has been rejected by an angry community amid calls for an Olympic drawcard to be held interstate. The proposed Redland Whitewater Centre east of Brisbane is set to host canoe slalom in 2032 after the Queensland government rejected a recommendation to hold the event in NSW. It looms as a major Brisbane Games attraction with champion sisters Jessica and Noemie Fox not ruling out vying for 2032 Olympic gold. But locals believe they have drawn "the short straw" in a long-awaited 2032 plan, calling for canoe slalom to be hosted at 2000 Games venue Penrith, NSW. "It has been forced upon the people of the Redlands city, we never asked for it," Birkdale Progress Association's treasurer Ross Spence told a Queensland parliamentary committee hearing on Monday. The Redlands appeared to be one of the big winners of the 2032 venue plan that was finally unveiled by the Queensland government in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city for the Games. The whitewater site proposed at Birkdale features 8000 temporary seats and an integrated warm-up channel, providing Australia a much-needed world class canoe slalom venue. But locals are outraged, citing financial and environmental concerns. A community spokesman said the "damn" whitewater facility should be hosted by Penrith where it was "wanted", citing the Los Angeles 2028 Games. At the LA Games, canoe slalom will be hosted about 3000km away in Oklahoma - almost triple the distance from Brisbane to Penrith. "Not even the Americans are going to put a new whitewater facility in," Redlands2030 Inc president Steven MacDonald told the committee hearing. "We could follow the example of our American cousins and move the damn thing somewhere where it's wanted." A senate inquiry recommended Penrith as the "first and only choice" for a 2032 whitewater venue, raising concerns a Redlands venue may become a "white elephant". The Queensland government rejected the concerns, opting to hold every 2032 Olympic event in the state. Mr Spence feared a Redlands whitewater facility would become an ongoing financial burden after the Games, questioning its viability. "A whitewater stadium is the short straw of Olympic venues," he said. Mr Spence was addressing committee hearings to allow consultation on a bill giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including environmental protection and heritage acts. The laws will ensure Olympic venue construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government, not local councils. Locals also raised environmental concerns on Monday, saying the proposed Birkdale site was next to two state heritage-listed sites and bushland home to endangered wildlife, including koalas. They feared Olympic construction not subject to planning laws might destroy the heritage sites and impact healthy koala colonies. "By setting aside these laws and protections, the state government is choosing to deny democracy and the rights of communities everywhere to have a voice," Mr Spence said. The proposed Redlands site will be only the second world-class whitewater facility built in Australia after the Penrith venue was constructed for Sydney 2000, becoming the Fox sisters' home course. Peak body Paddle Australia was ecstatic about the plan, with CEO Kim Crane hoping locals would embrace the facility and help build competitor depth. "We have been craving an additional course. We have been punching above our weight with one," Ms Crane told AAP in March. "We will now be able to secure more international events - it's a real legacy." A plan to build a Brisbane 2032 whitewater venue has been rejected by an angry community amid calls for an Olympic drawcard to be held interstate. The proposed Redland Whitewater Centre east of Brisbane is set to host canoe slalom in 2032 after the Queensland government rejected a recommendation to hold the event in NSW. It looms as a major Brisbane Games attraction with champion sisters Jessica and Noemie Fox not ruling out vying for 2032 Olympic gold. But locals believe they have drawn "the short straw" in a long-awaited 2032 plan, calling for canoe slalom to be hosted at 2000 Games venue Penrith, NSW. "It has been forced upon the people of the Redlands city, we never asked for it," Birkdale Progress Association's treasurer Ross Spence told a Queensland parliamentary committee hearing on Monday. The Redlands appeared to be one of the big winners of the 2032 venue plan that was finally unveiled by the Queensland government in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city for the Games. The whitewater site proposed at Birkdale features 8000 temporary seats and an integrated warm-up channel, providing Australia a much-needed world class canoe slalom venue. But locals are outraged, citing financial and environmental concerns. A community spokesman said the "damn" whitewater facility should be hosted by Penrith where it was "wanted", citing the Los Angeles 2028 Games. At the LA Games, canoe slalom will be hosted about 3000km away in Oklahoma - almost triple the distance from Brisbane to Penrith. "Not even the Americans are going to put a new whitewater facility in," Redlands2030 Inc president Steven MacDonald told the committee hearing. "We could follow the example of our American cousins and move the damn thing somewhere where it's wanted." A senate inquiry recommended Penrith as the "first and only choice" for a 2032 whitewater venue, raising concerns a Redlands venue may become a "white elephant". The Queensland government rejected the concerns, opting to hold every 2032 Olympic event in the state. Mr Spence feared a Redlands whitewater facility would become an ongoing financial burden after the Games, questioning its viability. "A whitewater stadium is the short straw of Olympic venues," he said. Mr Spence was addressing committee hearings to allow consultation on a bill giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including environmental protection and heritage acts. The laws will ensure Olympic venue construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government, not local councils. Locals also raised environmental concerns on Monday, saying the proposed Birkdale site was next to two state heritage-listed sites and bushland home to endangered wildlife, including koalas. They feared Olympic construction not subject to planning laws might destroy the heritage sites and impact healthy koala colonies. "By setting aside these laws and protections, the state government is choosing to deny democracy and the rights of communities everywhere to have a voice," Mr Spence said. The proposed Redlands site will be only the second world-class whitewater facility built in Australia after the Penrith venue was constructed for Sydney 2000, becoming the Fox sisters' home course. Peak body Paddle Australia was ecstatic about the plan, with CEO Kim Crane hoping locals would embrace the facility and help build competitor depth. "We have been craving an additional course. We have been punching above our weight with one," Ms Crane told AAP in March. "We will now be able to secure more international events - it's a real legacy." A plan to build a Brisbane 2032 whitewater venue has been rejected by an angry community amid calls for an Olympic drawcard to be held interstate. The proposed Redland Whitewater Centre east of Brisbane is set to host canoe slalom in 2032 after the Queensland government rejected a recommendation to hold the event in NSW. It looms as a major Brisbane Games attraction with champion sisters Jessica and Noemie Fox not ruling out vying for 2032 Olympic gold. But locals believe they have drawn "the short straw" in a long-awaited 2032 plan, calling for canoe slalom to be hosted at 2000 Games venue Penrith, NSW. "It has been forced upon the people of the Redlands city, we never asked for it," Birkdale Progress Association's treasurer Ross Spence told a Queensland parliamentary committee hearing on Monday. The Redlands appeared to be one of the big winners of the 2032 venue plan that was finally unveiled by the Queensland government in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city for the Games. The whitewater site proposed at Birkdale features 8000 temporary seats and an integrated warm-up channel, providing Australia a much-needed world class canoe slalom venue. But locals are outraged, citing financial and environmental concerns. A community spokesman said the "damn" whitewater facility should be hosted by Penrith where it was "wanted", citing the Los Angeles 2028 Games. At the LA Games, canoe slalom will be hosted about 3000km away in Oklahoma - almost triple the distance from Brisbane to Penrith. "Not even the Americans are going to put a new whitewater facility in," Redlands2030 Inc president Steven MacDonald told the committee hearing. "We could follow the example of our American cousins and move the damn thing somewhere where it's wanted." A senate inquiry recommended Penrith as the "first and only choice" for a 2032 whitewater venue, raising concerns a Redlands venue may become a "white elephant". The Queensland government rejected the concerns, opting to hold every 2032 Olympic event in the state. Mr Spence feared a Redlands whitewater facility would become an ongoing financial burden after the Games, questioning its viability. "A whitewater stadium is the short straw of Olympic venues," he said. Mr Spence was addressing committee hearings to allow consultation on a bill giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including environmental protection and heritage acts. The laws will ensure Olympic venue construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government, not local councils. Locals also raised environmental concerns on Monday, saying the proposed Birkdale site was next to two state heritage-listed sites and bushland home to endangered wildlife, including koalas. They feared Olympic construction not subject to planning laws might destroy the heritage sites and impact healthy koala colonies. "By setting aside these laws and protections, the state government is choosing to deny democracy and the rights of communities everywhere to have a voice," Mr Spence said. The proposed Redlands site will be only the second world-class whitewater facility built in Australia after the Penrith venue was constructed for Sydney 2000, becoming the Fox sisters' home course. Peak body Paddle Australia was ecstatic about the plan, with CEO Kim Crane hoping locals would embrace the facility and help build competitor depth. "We have been craving an additional course. We have been punching above our weight with one," Ms Crane told AAP in March. "We will now be able to secure more international events - it's a real legacy." A plan to build a Brisbane 2032 whitewater venue has been rejected by an angry community amid calls for an Olympic drawcard to be held interstate. The proposed Redland Whitewater Centre east of Brisbane is set to host canoe slalom in 2032 after the Queensland government rejected a recommendation to hold the event in NSW. It looms as a major Brisbane Games attraction with champion sisters Jessica and Noemie Fox not ruling out vying for 2032 Olympic gold. But locals believe they have drawn "the short straw" in a long-awaited 2032 plan, calling for canoe slalom to be hosted at 2000 Games venue Penrith, NSW. "It has been forced upon the people of the Redlands city, we never asked for it," Birkdale Progress Association's treasurer Ross Spence told a Queensland parliamentary committee hearing on Monday. The Redlands appeared to be one of the big winners of the 2032 venue plan that was finally unveiled by the Queensland government in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city for the Games. The whitewater site proposed at Birkdale features 8000 temporary seats and an integrated warm-up channel, providing Australia a much-needed world class canoe slalom venue. But locals are outraged, citing financial and environmental concerns. A community spokesman said the "damn" whitewater facility should be hosted by Penrith where it was "wanted", citing the Los Angeles 2028 Games. At the LA Games, canoe slalom will be hosted about 3000km away in Oklahoma - almost triple the distance from Brisbane to Penrith. "Not even the Americans are going to put a new whitewater facility in," Redlands2030 Inc president Steven MacDonald told the committee hearing. "We could follow the example of our American cousins and move the damn thing somewhere where it's wanted." A senate inquiry recommended Penrith as the "first and only choice" for a 2032 whitewater venue, raising concerns a Redlands venue may become a "white elephant". The Queensland government rejected the concerns, opting to hold every 2032 Olympic event in the state. Mr Spence feared a Redlands whitewater facility would become an ongoing financial burden after the Games, questioning its viability. "A whitewater stadium is the short straw of Olympic venues," he said. Mr Spence was addressing committee hearings to allow consultation on a bill giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including environmental protection and heritage acts. The laws will ensure Olympic venue construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government, not local councils. Locals also raised environmental concerns on Monday, saying the proposed Birkdale site was next to two state heritage-listed sites and bushland home to endangered wildlife, including koalas. They feared Olympic construction not subject to planning laws might destroy the heritage sites and impact healthy koala colonies. "By setting aside these laws and protections, the state government is choosing to deny democracy and the rights of communities everywhere to have a voice," Mr Spence said. The proposed Redlands site will be only the second world-class whitewater facility built in Australia after the Penrith venue was constructed for Sydney 2000, becoming the Fox sisters' home course. Peak body Paddle Australia was ecstatic about the plan, with CEO Kim Crane hoping locals would embrace the facility and help build competitor depth. "We have been craving an additional course. We have been punching above our weight with one," Ms Crane told AAP in March. "We will now be able to secure more international events - it's a real legacy."
West Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Locals want to sink bid for new Olympic whitewater site
A plan to build a Brisbane 2032 whitewater venue has been rejected by an angry community amid calls for an Olympic drawcard to be held interstate. The proposed Redland Whitewater Centre east of Brisbane is set to host canoe slalom in 2032 after the Queensland government rejected a recommendation to hold the event in NSW. It looms as a major Brisbane Games attraction with champion sisters Jessica and Noemie Fox not ruling out vying for 2032 Olympic gold. But locals believe they have drawn "the short straw" in a long-awaited 2032 plan, calling for canoe slalom to be hosted at 2000 Games venue Penrith, NSW. "It has been forced upon the people of the Redlands city, we never asked for it," Birkdale Progress Association's treasurer Ross Spence told a Queensland parliamentary committee hearing on Monday. The Redlands appeared to be one of the big winners of the 2032 venue plan that was finally unveiled by the Queensland government in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city for the Games. The whitewater site proposed at Birkdale features 8000 temporary seats and an integrated warm-up channel, providing Australia a much-needed world class canoe slalom venue. But locals are outraged, citing financial and environmental concerns. A community spokesman said the "damn" whitewater facility should be hosted by Penrith where it was "wanted", citing the Los Angeles 2028 Games. At the LA Games, canoe slalom will be hosted about 3000km away in Oklahoma - almost triple the distance from Brisbane to Penrith. "Not even the Americans are going to put a new whitewater facility in," Redlands2030 Inc president Steven MacDonald told the committee hearing. "We could follow the example of our American cousins and move the damn thing somewhere where it's wanted." A senate inquiry recommended Penrith as the "first and only choice" for a 2032 whitewater venue, raising concerns a Redlands venue may become a "white elephant". The Queensland government rejected the concerns, opting to hold every 2032 Olympic event in the state. Mr Spence feared a Redlands whitewater facility would become an ongoing financial burden after the Games, questioning its viability. "A whitewater stadium is the short straw of Olympic venues," he said. Mr Spence was addressing committee hearings to allow consultation on a bill giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including environmental protection and heritage acts. The laws will ensure Olympic venue construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government, not local councils. Locals also raised environmental concerns on Monday, saying the proposed Birkdale site was next to two state heritage-listed sites and bushland home to endangered wildlife, including koalas. They feared Olympic construction not subject to planning laws might destroy the heritage sites and impact healthy koala colonies. "By setting aside these laws and protections, the state government is choosing to deny democracy and the rights of communities everywhere to have a voice," Mr Spence said. The proposed Redlands site will be only the second world-class whitewater facility built in Australia after the Penrith venue was constructed for Sydney 2000, becoming the Fox sisters' home course. Peak body Paddle Australia was ecstatic about the plan, with CEO Kim Crane hoping locals would embrace the facility and help build competitor depth. "We have been craving an additional course. We have been punching above our weight with one," Ms Crane told AAP in March. "We will now be able to secure more international events - it's a real legacy."
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Locals want to sink bid for new Olympic whitewater site
A plan to build a Brisbane 2032 whitewater venue has been rejected by an angry community amid calls for an Olympic drawcard to be held interstate. The proposed Redland Whitewater Centre east of Brisbane is set to host canoe slalom in 2032 after the Queensland government rejected a recommendation to hold the event in NSW. It looms as a major Brisbane Games attraction with champion sisters Jessica and Noemie Fox not ruling out vying for 2032 Olympic gold. But locals believe they have drawn "the short straw" in a long-awaited 2032 plan, calling for canoe slalom to be hosted at 2000 Games venue Penrith, NSW. "It has been forced upon the people of the Redlands city, we never asked for it," Birkdale Progress Association's treasurer Ross Spence told a Queensland parliamentary committee hearing on Monday. The Redlands appeared to be one of the big winners of the 2032 venue plan that was finally unveiled by the Queensland government in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city for the Games. The whitewater site proposed at Birkdale features 8000 temporary seats and an integrated warm-up channel, providing Australia a much-needed world class canoe slalom venue. But locals are outraged, citing financial and environmental concerns. A community spokesman said the "damn" whitewater facility should be hosted by Penrith where it was "wanted", citing the Los Angeles 2028 Games. At the LA Games, canoe slalom will be hosted about 3000km away in Oklahoma - almost triple the distance from Brisbane to Penrith. "Not even the Americans are going to put a new whitewater facility in," Redlands2030 Inc president Steven MacDonald told the committee hearing. "We could follow the example of our American cousins and move the damn thing somewhere where it's wanted." A senate inquiry recommended Penrith as the "first and only choice" for a 2032 whitewater venue, raising concerns a Redlands venue may become a "white elephant". The Queensland government rejected the concerns, opting to hold every 2032 Olympic event in the state. Mr Spence feared a Redlands whitewater facility would become an ongoing financial burden after the Games, questioning its viability. "A whitewater stadium is the short straw of Olympic venues," he said. Mr Spence was addressing committee hearings to allow consultation on a bill giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including environmental protection and heritage acts. The laws will ensure Olympic venue construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government, not local councils. Locals also raised environmental concerns on Monday, saying the proposed Birkdale site was next to two state heritage-listed sites and bushland home to endangered wildlife, including koalas. They feared Olympic construction not subject to planning laws might destroy the heritage sites and impact healthy koala colonies. "By setting aside these laws and protections, the state government is choosing to deny democracy and the rights of communities everywhere to have a voice," Mr Spence said. The proposed Redlands site will be only the second world-class whitewater facility built in Australia after the Penrith venue was constructed for Sydney 2000, becoming the Fox sisters' home course. Peak body Paddle Australia was ecstatic about the plan, with CEO Kim Crane hoping locals would embrace the facility and help build competitor depth. "We have been craving an additional course. We have been punching above our weight with one," Ms Crane told AAP in March. "We will now be able to secure more international events - it's a real legacy."
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
NRL goes for gold, kicks off 2032 Games inclusion bid
Footy fever may reach Olympic levels in Australia by 2032 after the NRL officially kicked off talks for Brisbane Games inclusion. NRL powerbrokers have gone for gold, pushing for a form of rugby league to feature in the 2032 Olympic sport program. Brisbane 2032 boss Andrew Liveris on Thursday confirmed he had met with NRL heavyweights, indicating they had pitched a compelling case. "It's a staggering set of statistics what the NRL is achieving in terms of global viewership and global participation," he said on the Gold Coast. The NRL is still weighing up whether to lobby for touch, tag or tackle footy at the Games. But touch footy is backing itself to feature in 2032, with a non-contact version of American football already confirmed for the Los Angeles Games. Flag football will feature in the 2028 sports program after being signed off by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Touch Football Australia CEO Marcus Ashcroft said the sport's diversity provided an edge over other formats. "Our game's very unique in that we have mixed teams - that's a real attraction, potentially as an Olympic sport," he told AAP. "I think that that's where touch can have some advantages in that space. "It (Games inclusion) would be incredible for our sport and for our community." Touch footy has about 700,000 participants in Australia and has been a springboard to the NRL with the likes of Kalyn Ponga, Benji Marshall, Scott Prince and Matt Bowen making the transition. Any submission for rugby league's 2032 inclusion, no matter the format, would need to be made through the International Rugby League. The NRL has been vying for Games inclusion as it looks to further expand its appeal after successfully launching a Las Vegas opening round and a Pacific push. "We are motivated and excited to showcase rugby league, the No.1 sport in Australia and the Pacific, at the Olympic Games in 2032," NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said. "And why wouldn't we be? "With the eyes of the world on Brisbane in 2032, we have a unique opportunity to globally platform a sport that is the heart and soul of Queensland, Australia and the Pacific." Mr Abdo said the NRL had plenty of work to do after meeting with Brisbane organisers on Wednesday but backed the sport to feature in 2032. "Andrew Liveris is a visionary chair and his team have been clear on the process for inclusion," he said. "We are busily working with the International Rugby League on a business case that will turn this dream into reality." The IOC usually determines the sport line-up for a Games seven years ahead of the opening ceremony, with Brisbane initially set for a 2025 reveal. But the Olympic body decided to postpone it until 2026 to give Brisbane organisers more time to review infrastructure projects, following a venue plan delay. The Queensland government finally unveiled its 2032 blueprint in March, almost four years after Brisbane was named host city. "Additional sports, we have a bunch of them in the queue. We're meeting with all the federations interested," Mr Liveris said. "We're open to all the submissions fitting the criteria. The next 12 months is all of that." All sports included must comply with the Olympic charter, the World Anti-Doping Code and the Olympic Movement Code. Mr Liveris said the NRL ticked a lot of boxes for 2032, with both metropolitan and regional appeal. "They have a strong value proposition, but, as I said to them yesterday, get in the queue - we're popular, we know it and we like it," he said. Footy fever may reach Olympic levels in Australia by 2032 after the NRL officially kicked off talks for Brisbane Games inclusion. NRL powerbrokers have gone for gold, pushing for a form of rugby league to feature in the 2032 Olympic sport program. Brisbane 2032 boss Andrew Liveris on Thursday confirmed he had met with NRL heavyweights, indicating they had pitched a compelling case. "It's a staggering set of statistics what the NRL is achieving in terms of global viewership and global participation," he said on the Gold Coast. The NRL is still weighing up whether to lobby for touch, tag or tackle footy at the Games. But touch footy is backing itself to feature in 2032, with a non-contact version of American football already confirmed for the Los Angeles Games. Flag football will feature in the 2028 sports program after being signed off by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Touch Football Australia CEO Marcus Ashcroft said the sport's diversity provided an edge over other formats. "Our game's very unique in that we have mixed teams - that's a real attraction, potentially as an Olympic sport," he told AAP. "I think that that's where touch can have some advantages in that space. "It (Games inclusion) would be incredible for our sport and for our community." Touch footy has about 700,000 participants in Australia and has been a springboard to the NRL with the likes of Kalyn Ponga, Benji Marshall, Scott Prince and Matt Bowen making the transition. Any submission for rugby league's 2032 inclusion, no matter the format, would need to be made through the International Rugby League. The NRL has been vying for Games inclusion as it looks to further expand its appeal after successfully launching a Las Vegas opening round and a Pacific push. "We are motivated and excited to showcase rugby league, the No.1 sport in Australia and the Pacific, at the Olympic Games in 2032," NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said. "And why wouldn't we be? "With the eyes of the world on Brisbane in 2032, we have a unique opportunity to globally platform a sport that is the heart and soul of Queensland, Australia and the Pacific." Mr Abdo said the NRL had plenty of work to do after meeting with Brisbane organisers on Wednesday but backed the sport to feature in 2032. "Andrew Liveris is a visionary chair and his team have been clear on the process for inclusion," he said. "We are busily working with the International Rugby League on a business case that will turn this dream into reality." The IOC usually determines the sport line-up for a Games seven years ahead of the opening ceremony, with Brisbane initially set for a 2025 reveal. But the Olympic body decided to postpone it until 2026 to give Brisbane organisers more time to review infrastructure projects, following a venue plan delay. The Queensland government finally unveiled its 2032 blueprint in March, almost four years after Brisbane was named host city. "Additional sports, we have a bunch of them in the queue. We're meeting with all the federations interested," Mr Liveris said. "We're open to all the submissions fitting the criteria. The next 12 months is all of that." All sports included must comply with the Olympic charter, the World Anti-Doping Code and the Olympic Movement Code. Mr Liveris said the NRL ticked a lot of boxes for 2032, with both metropolitan and regional appeal. "They have a strong value proposition, but, as I said to them yesterday, get in the queue - we're popular, we know it and we like it," he said. Footy fever may reach Olympic levels in Australia by 2032 after the NRL officially kicked off talks for Brisbane Games inclusion. NRL powerbrokers have gone for gold, pushing for a form of rugby league to feature in the 2032 Olympic sport program. Brisbane 2032 boss Andrew Liveris on Thursday confirmed he had met with NRL heavyweights, indicating they had pitched a compelling case. "It's a staggering set of statistics what the NRL is achieving in terms of global viewership and global participation," he said on the Gold Coast. The NRL is still weighing up whether to lobby for touch, tag or tackle footy at the Games. But touch footy is backing itself to feature in 2032, with a non-contact version of American football already confirmed for the Los Angeles Games. Flag football will feature in the 2028 sports program after being signed off by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Touch Football Australia CEO Marcus Ashcroft said the sport's diversity provided an edge over other formats. "Our game's very unique in that we have mixed teams - that's a real attraction, potentially as an Olympic sport," he told AAP. "I think that that's where touch can have some advantages in that space. "It (Games inclusion) would be incredible for our sport and for our community." Touch footy has about 700,000 participants in Australia and has been a springboard to the NRL with the likes of Kalyn Ponga, Benji Marshall, Scott Prince and Matt Bowen making the transition. Any submission for rugby league's 2032 inclusion, no matter the format, would need to be made through the International Rugby League. The NRL has been vying for Games inclusion as it looks to further expand its appeal after successfully launching a Las Vegas opening round and a Pacific push. "We are motivated and excited to showcase rugby league, the No.1 sport in Australia and the Pacific, at the Olympic Games in 2032," NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said. "And why wouldn't we be? "With the eyes of the world on Brisbane in 2032, we have a unique opportunity to globally platform a sport that is the heart and soul of Queensland, Australia and the Pacific." Mr Abdo said the NRL had plenty of work to do after meeting with Brisbane organisers on Wednesday but backed the sport to feature in 2032. "Andrew Liveris is a visionary chair and his team have been clear on the process for inclusion," he said. "We are busily working with the International Rugby League on a business case that will turn this dream into reality." The IOC usually determines the sport line-up for a Games seven years ahead of the opening ceremony, with Brisbane initially set for a 2025 reveal. But the Olympic body decided to postpone it until 2026 to give Brisbane organisers more time to review infrastructure projects, following a venue plan delay. The Queensland government finally unveiled its 2032 blueprint in March, almost four years after Brisbane was named host city. "Additional sports, we have a bunch of them in the queue. We're meeting with all the federations interested," Mr Liveris said. "We're open to all the submissions fitting the criteria. The next 12 months is all of that." All sports included must comply with the Olympic charter, the World Anti-Doping Code and the Olympic Movement Code. Mr Liveris said the NRL ticked a lot of boxes for 2032, with both metropolitan and regional appeal. "They have a strong value proposition, but, as I said to them yesterday, get in the queue - we're popular, we know it and we like it," he said. Footy fever may reach Olympic levels in Australia by 2032 after the NRL officially kicked off talks for Brisbane Games inclusion. NRL powerbrokers have gone for gold, pushing for a form of rugby league to feature in the 2032 Olympic sport program. Brisbane 2032 boss Andrew Liveris on Thursday confirmed he had met with NRL heavyweights, indicating they had pitched a compelling case. "It's a staggering set of statistics what the NRL is achieving in terms of global viewership and global participation," he said on the Gold Coast. The NRL is still weighing up whether to lobby for touch, tag or tackle footy at the Games. But touch footy is backing itself to feature in 2032, with a non-contact version of American football already confirmed for the Los Angeles Games. Flag football will feature in the 2028 sports program after being signed off by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Touch Football Australia CEO Marcus Ashcroft said the sport's diversity provided an edge over other formats. "Our game's very unique in that we have mixed teams - that's a real attraction, potentially as an Olympic sport," he told AAP. "I think that that's where touch can have some advantages in that space. "It (Games inclusion) would be incredible for our sport and for our community." Touch footy has about 700,000 participants in Australia and has been a springboard to the NRL with the likes of Kalyn Ponga, Benji Marshall, Scott Prince and Matt Bowen making the transition. Any submission for rugby league's 2032 inclusion, no matter the format, would need to be made through the International Rugby League. The NRL has been vying for Games inclusion as it looks to further expand its appeal after successfully launching a Las Vegas opening round and a Pacific push. "We are motivated and excited to showcase rugby league, the No.1 sport in Australia and the Pacific, at the Olympic Games in 2032," NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said. "And why wouldn't we be? "With the eyes of the world on Brisbane in 2032, we have a unique opportunity to globally platform a sport that is the heart and soul of Queensland, Australia and the Pacific." Mr Abdo said the NRL had plenty of work to do after meeting with Brisbane organisers on Wednesday but backed the sport to feature in 2032. "Andrew Liveris is a visionary chair and his team have been clear on the process for inclusion," he said. "We are busily working with the International Rugby League on a business case that will turn this dream into reality." The IOC usually determines the sport line-up for a Games seven years ahead of the opening ceremony, with Brisbane initially set for a 2025 reveal. But the Olympic body decided to postpone it until 2026 to give Brisbane organisers more time to review infrastructure projects, following a venue plan delay. The Queensland government finally unveiled its 2032 blueprint in March, almost four years after Brisbane was named host city. "Additional sports, we have a bunch of them in the queue. We're meeting with all the federations interested," Mr Liveris said. "We're open to all the submissions fitting the criteria. The next 12 months is all of that." All sports included must comply with the Olympic charter, the World Anti-Doping Code and the Olympic Movement Code. Mr Liveris said the NRL ticked a lot of boxes for 2032, with both metropolitan and regional appeal. "They have a strong value proposition, but, as I said to them yesterday, get in the queue - we're popular, we know it and we like it," he said.
West Australian
5 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
NRL goes for gold, kicks off 2032 Games inclusion bid
Footy fever may reach Olympic levels in Australia by 2032 after the NRL officially kicked off talks for Brisbane Games inclusion. NRL powerbrokers have gone for gold, pushing for a form of rugby league to feature in the 2032 Olympic sport program. Brisbane 2032 boss Andrew Liveris on Thursday confirmed he had met with NRL heavyweights, indicating they had pitched a compelling case. "It's a staggering set of statistics what the NRL is achieving in terms of global viewership and global participation," he said on the Gold Coast. The NRL is still weighing up whether to lobby for touch, tag or tackle footy at the Games. But touch footy is backing itself to feature in 2032, with a non-contact version of American football already confirmed for the Los Angeles Games. Flag football will feature in the 2028 sports program after being signed off by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Touch Football Australia CEO Marcus Ashcroft said the sport's diversity provided an edge over other formats. "Our game's very unique in that we have mixed teams - that's a real attraction, potentially as an Olympic sport," he told AAP. "I think that that's where touch can have some advantages in that space. "It (Games inclusion) would be incredible for our sport and for our community." Touch footy has about 700,000 participants in Australia and has been a springboard to the NRL with the likes of Kalyn Ponga, Benji Marshall, Scott Prince and Matt Bowen making the transition. Any submission for rugby league's 2032 inclusion, no matter the format, would need to be made through the International Rugby League. The NRL has been vying for Games inclusion as it looks to further expand its appeal after successfully launching a Las Vegas opening round and a Pacific push. "We are motivated and excited to showcase rugby league, the No.1 sport in Australia and the Pacific, at the Olympic Games in 2032," NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said. "And why wouldn't we be? "With the eyes of the world on Brisbane in 2032, we have a unique opportunity to globally platform a sport that is the heart and soul of Queensland, Australia and the Pacific." Mr Abdo said the NRL had plenty of work to do after meeting with Brisbane organisers on Wednesday but backed the sport to feature in 2032. "Andrew Liveris is a visionary chair and his team have been clear on the process for inclusion," he said. "We are busily working with the International Rugby League on a business case that will turn this dream into reality." The IOC usually determines the sport line-up for a Games seven years ahead of the opening ceremony, with Brisbane initially set for a 2025 reveal. But the Olympic body decided to postpone it until 2026 to give Brisbane organisers more time to review infrastructure projects, following a venue plan delay. The Queensland government finally unveiled its 2032 blueprint in March, almost four years after Brisbane was named host city. "Additional sports, we have a bunch of them in the queue. We're meeting with all the federations interested," Mr Liveris said. "We're open to all the submissions fitting the criteria. The next 12 months is all of that." All sports included must comply with the Olympic charter, the World Anti-Doping Code and the Olympic Movement Code. Mr Liveris said the NRL ticked a lot of boxes for 2032, with both metropolitan and regional appeal. "They have a strong value proposition, but, as I said to them yesterday, get in the queue - we're popular, we know it and we like it," he said.
