A three-year partnership between Ipswich City Council and the Brisbane Lions will create development pathways for future female athletes and aspiring sport administrators, in the heart of Ipswich.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the three-year partnership would bring a host of benefits, including promotion of the City of Ipswich at Brisbane Lions’ home games, access to Brisbane Lions AFLW players for community health programs, celebratory events and more state and national sporting championships to be held at Brighton Homes Arena.
“This exciting partnership capitalises on the Brisbane Lions AFLW team calling Brighton Homes Arena their home and further cements Ipswich as the headquarters for the Brisbane Lions,” Mayor Harding said.
“Over the next three years, our sporting community will welcome formal development pathways for our future female athletes and sport administrators through the Lions Institute of Business and Sport, a collaboration with TAFE Queensland.
“This partnership will also see the Brisbane Lions put their support behind Council’s advocacy for the city’s priority projects, as well as hosting a range of major state and national championship fixtures and events right here in Ipswich.
“We also look forward to the City of Ipswich being front and centre at the Gabba as we take over the match day presenting rights at a Brisbane Lions AFL home game, as well as hosting fan days in Ipswich following the successes of the Brisbane Lions AFLW team.”
Mayor Harding said the partnership would bring measurable economic benefits to the city.
“From major events and sporting competitions, to being able to access the Brisbane Lions corporate network, and dedicated co-designed community programming within council’s Active and Healthy program, this is an incredible partnership,” Mayor Harding said.
“For the community, this means more professional-level sport being coached and played right here in Ipswich, as well as the opportunity to deliver an inaugural Ipswich Mini Multicultural Games.
“The partnership will be delivered over a phased three-year plan to ensure we can strategically maximise all of the benefits on offer.
“I’m delighted this partnership has been achieved after months of work with the Brisbane Lions to create something that will deliver real, tangible benefits to the City of Ipswich, and thank the Lions for their commitment to Ipswich, now and into the future.”
Brisbane Lions CEO Greg Swann said the Lions were committed to working more closely with Ipswich City Council than ever before.
“I want to thank the Mayor and Councillors for their ongoing support of the Lions and I’m excited about what we can deliver together into the future.
“We want the precinct to be a year-round attraction for sport, community and educational purposes and our partnership with council is crucial to making this a reality.”
Mr Swann said he was looking forward to seeing thousands of residents visit Brighton Homes Arena to watch the Lions AFLW this season.
“We’ve got the best venue in the area and the team are reigning Premiers, so I’d encourage as many people as possible to come down and check out the action.
“Our first match is on 1 September and for young kids to have this venue and this team in their own backyard is an incredible opportunity for the local community.
For the Ipswich Eagles Australian Football Club, headquartered in Limestone Park, the partnership will elevate the 58-year-old club’s focus on creating a safe and inclusive environment for its women and girls’ teams.
“Having elite Brisbane Lions AFLW players offering community health and fitness training in Ipswich is an opportunity our club members will eagerly take up,” Ipswich Eagles president Scott Humphreys said.
“This year our club has been focused on developing a safe space for our rapidly growing women’s and girls’ teams, and knowing the Brisbane Lions are backing Ipswich community sport will give us all an immense confidence boost.
“Knowing we will be welcoming more AFL and AFLW games to Ipswich and giving our junior players – girls and boys – the chance to meet their heroes, and learn directly from them, will further many dreams of becoming the next generation of AFLW and AFL players.”
