Latest news with #Ipswich-based
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Queensland Rugby League boss calls for a FIFTH team to be based in the Sunshine State - as NRL agrees in principle to expansion with Perth Bears
The rugby league heartland of Ipswich and its western environs are ripe for the NRL to insert a 20th side, Queensland Rugby League boss Ben Ikin insists. The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has agreed in principle to a revised proposal from the Western Australia government for an NRL team in Perth in 2027 which will resurrect, in an affiliation, foundation club North Sydney Bears. PNG will be the 19th team in 2028. When the former Western Corridor bid, now known as the Jets, was forged 18 years ago, former NRL boss David Gallop toured the region and said the game had to go 'where the fish are biting'.' The rugby league heartland produced the Walters brothers, Allan Langer and further west the likes of Shane Webcke, Steve Price and Darren Lockyer. The Jets, slated to be based in Ipswich but with an affiliation with Newtown Jets, has QRL boss Ikin's backing as the next NRL franchise. '(PNG) gets us to 19 teams so it makes sense that we get to 20 to fully realise the broadcast rights opportunity,' he said. 'Then you can have 10 games and maybe the chance to split up into conferences and do some good things with the draw. 'That (western corridor) region has such a rich rugby league history and from a population perspective is one of the fastest growing in the country, and it is rugby league mad. 'The AFL are out there with an elite presence (at the Brisbane Lions' home base in Springfield) and we are not. 'It makes sense to me that once you get through the logistically challenged franchises in PNG and Perth then you can potentially bolt on and make team number 20 something you could switch on really quick.' The Queensland boss hailed the return of a Perth-based side for the first time since 1997 and the return of the Bears who he played for in their last season in the NRL in 1999. 'Anyone who loves the game and there's lots of us, we want more people to love the game the way we do,' he said. 'So taking the game we love back to the other side of the country and giving them another chance to see the best version of what we do in the NRL can only be good for rugby league. 'If Super League taught us anything it is that history counts,' Ikin added. 'It can't be manufactured. The Bears survived for a long time at the top end of the game and continued to exist while not being afforded the opportunity. 'It is a credit to all the people that kept it alive and to see the history that all those good people believed in re-emerge in the elite version of what we do is magnificent.' The Ipswich-based Jets bid would also add the romantic notion of revitalising foundation club Newtown Jets. 'Who doesn't like a bit of romance in rugby league? To have that brand in the elite national competition would be special,' Ikin said. 'In that western region effectively you will drag in Brisbane central like the (Brisbane) Tigers, the Ipswich Jets as another pathways club and the Western Clydesdales out there in Toowoomba. 'The road that connects the two most-western of those pathways clubs is called Darren Lockyer Way. 'If that doesn't make sense from a rugby league perspective I don't know what will.'
Perth Now
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Ipswich next piece in NRL expansion masterplan: Ikin
The rugby league heartland of Ipswich and its western environs are ripe for the NRL to insert a 20th NRL side insists QRL The Australian Rugby League Commission has agreed in principle to a revised proposal from the Western Australia government for an NRL team in Perth in 2027 which will resurrect, in an affiliation, foundation club North Sydney Bears. PNG will be the 19th team in 2028. When the former Western Corridor bid, now known as the Jets, was forged 18 years ago, former NRL boss David Gallop toured the region and said the game had to go "where the fish are biting". The rugby league heartland produced the Walters brothers, Allan Langer and further to the west the likes of Shane Webcke, Steve Price and Darren Lockyer. The Jets, slated to be based in Ipswich but with an affiliation with Newtown Jets, has Ikin's backing as the next franchise. "(PNG) gets us to 19 teams so it makes sense that we get to 20 to fully realise the broadcast rights opportunity," Ikin said. "Then you can have 10 games and maybe the chance to split up into conferences and do some good things with the draw. "That (western corridor) region has such a rich rugby league history and from a population perspective is one of the fastest growing in the country, and it is rugby league mad. "The AFL are out there with an elite presence (at the Brisbane Lions' home base in Springfield) and we are not. "It makes sense to me that once you get through the logistically challenged franchises in PNG and Perth then you can potentially bolt on and make team number 20 something you could switch on really quick." The Queensland boss hailed the return of a Perth-based side for the first time since 1997 and the return of the Bears who he played for before in their last season in the NRL in 1999. "Anyone who loves the game and there's lots of us, we want more people to love the game the way we do," he said. "So taking the game we love back to the other side of the country and giving them another chance to see the best version of what we do in the NRL can only be good for rugby league. "If Super League taught us anything it is that history counts," Ikin added "It can't be manufactured. The Bears survived for a long time at the top end of the game and continued to exist while not being afforded the opportunity. "It is a credit to all the people that kept it alive and going ... and to see the history that all those good people believed in re-emerge in the elite version of what we do is magnificent." The Ipswich-based Jets bid would also add the romantic notion of revitalising foundation club Newtown Jets."Who doesn't like a bit of romance in rugby league? To have that brand in the elite national competition would be special," Ikin said. "In that western region effectively you will drag in Brisbane central like the (Brisbane) Tigers, the Ipswich Jets as another pathways club and the Western Clydesdales out there in Toowoomba. "The road that connects the two most-western of those pathways clubs is called Darren Lockyer Way. If that doesn't make sense from a rugby league perspective I don't know what will."
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Film shot in Suffolk raises £4k for Ipswich sexual abuse charity
A screening of a film shot in Suffolk has raised thousands of pounds for a charity which supports survivors of sexual abuse and Dog That Couldn't Bark was filmed at Glemham Hall in Woodbridge and was shown at The Cut, in Halesworth, in aid of Ipswich-based Survivors in movie stars Dame Maureen Lipman and tells the story of an older lady at the end of her life sharing a childhood secret with her palliative care nurse."This powerful film reminds us that the impact of sexual abuse can echo across a lifetime," said Fiona Ellis, from Survivors in Transition. "Too many carry their pain in silence — even to their last moments."We hope this screening sparks vital conversations and affirms that it is never too late to be heard, believed, and supported." The soundtrack for the film was composed by Jack Northove and was directed by Henry Tomlinson - both of whom live in Suffolk. Its script was written by Wenhaston resident Paul Rainbird."When I first read the script, I found it very compelling and it immediately screamed out to me that it should be made into a film," Mr Tomlinson said. "It has multi layers of conflicting narrative that I found fascinating and was keen to explore."We were very lucky to secure two supremely talented, powerful actors and we are so proud to say that 70% of our cast and crew came from the east coast." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
First look at inside pictures of new arts hub
Work to turn the inside of a vacant post office into a new arts venue is set to begin. Lowestoft's former post office has been empty since 2017 and is owned by East Suffolk Council. The council's planning committee approved plans a year ago to create the new venue in the Grade II listed building as part of a wider regeneration project. Helen Johnson, culture and heritage programme manager at the council, said work on the exterior had already taken place and the council aimed to open the venue in a year's time. The council appointed Ipswich-based Barnes Construction to undertake the internal works. Once completed, the venue will provide space for a revolving residency of international, national and regional artists as well as exhibition spaces, work studios, a screening room and cafe with outdoor seating, the council said. It will be managed by art specialists Messums East and the building will also provide a work studio for Laurence Edwards - an internationally renowned sculptor born and raised in East Suffolk. "Work to the outside of the building has already been recognised for its quality and craftsmanship – and we're now looking forward to the inside taking shape," Johnson said. "Once complete, the new venue will provide cultural opportunities and attract more visitors to the town." Other projects in the town have also been planned, including a new seafront complex being built at Jubilee Parade, improvements at Royal Plain and redevelopment of Battery Green car park. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Plans for vacant post office given the green light Lowestoft £24.9m regeneration project is approved Post office facade earmarked for restoration East Suffolk Council
BBC News
05-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Work to transform inside of Lowestoft's vacant post office begins
Work to turn the inside of a vacant post office into a new arts venue is set to former post office has been empty since 2017 and is owned by East Suffolk council's planning committee approved plans a year ago to create the new venue in the Grade II listed building as part of a wider regeneration Johnson, culture and heritage programme manager at the council, said work on the exterior had already taken place and the council aimed to open the venue in a year's time. The council appointed Ipswich-based Barnes Construction to undertake the internal completed, the venue will provide space for a revolving residency of international, national and regional artists as well as exhibition spaces, work studios, a screening room and cafe with outdoor seating, the council will be managed by art specialists Messums East and the building will also provide a work studio for Laurence Edwards - an internationally renowned sculptor born and raised in East Suffolk. "Work to the outside of the building has already been recognised for its quality and craftsmanship – and we're now looking forward to the inside taking shape," Johnson said."Once complete, the new venue will provide cultural opportunities and attract more visitors to the town."Other projects in the town have also been planned, including a new seafront complex being built at Jubilee Parade, improvements at Royal Plain and redevelopment of Battery Green car park. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
