Townsville City Council is throwing its support behind the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys' NRL Anzac Round home game on Saturday 22 April, as match day sponsor.
Held in partnership between the NRL, Australian War Memorial and Australian and New Zealand defence forces, Anzac Round pays tribute to the nation's service men and women at 2023 NRL Premiership matches in a dedicated round each year.
The Cowboys' clash against the Knights at Queensland Country Bank Stadium will commemorate Anzac Round from gates open to the final whistle, with the squad set to wear a commemorative jersey featuring a silhouette of the iconic Lone Bugler.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said it was important for Council to back the Cowboys' in NRL Anzac Round to show united support and appreciation for Townsville's proud garrison history and encouraged the community to support this family-friendly event.
"Home to Australia's largest army base, Lavarack Barracks, Townsville has over 14,000 strong defence and veteran community who play an important role every day in building the social fabric of this city," Cr Hill said.
"They are volunteers, participants and coaches in arts, sports, events and community programs. These people are not just serving our country they are serving our community.
"Anzac Day is a day that is especially important to Townsville as a garrison city and it's great to see the Cowboys pay tribute to our troops past and present.
"We all think back to the soldiers who lost their lives on battlefields, but the military is a part of our daily lives in Townsville, with Lavarack Barracks and RAAF Base Townsville key parts of our city.
"The Cowboys have produced a wonderful defence jersey that honours our city's connection to defence forces, and I can't wait to see people wearing them around town and at Queensland Country Bank Stadium."
Cowboys Chief Executive Jeff Reibel said the club was proud and 'deeply humbled' by its long-standing relationship with the Australian defence community.
"If we look back at the very beginning of the Cowboys, local members of the Australian Army rolled up their sleeves to help repurpose what was then-known as Willows Sports Complex into a rugby league stadium fit to host our inaugural season," Mr Reibel said.
"This mateship has continued to today, with our squad regularly tapping into the local defence community's immense capability to ensure their pre-season training program is one of the toughest in the code, such as our gruelling boot camp at Tully last year," he said.
"We're thrilled Council has provided their full support of our NRL Anzac Round home game as it's a very important day for the club and our valued fans, members and families in our defence community."
Council's support of the match will extend to Cowboys Community Corner pre-game, with local Defence support organisations invited to build their profile and raise awareness for their cause at a dedicated space on the Northern concourse, thanks to Townsville City Council's ongoing support as program presenting partner.
Council will also present several official Anzac Day Commemorations in partnership with the Townsville RSL and Thuringowa RSL Sub-Branches.
Thuringowa services will see a dawn service at 5:40am at the Thuringowa Cenotaph before a Parade from 9am along Ross Road and into the Riverway Precinct and finishing with a mid-morning service at 9:30am.
Townsville services will see a dawn service at 5:20am at the Anzac Park Cenotaph before the parade step-off from 9am along The Strand to Anzac Memorial Park.
Council's support of the Cowboys NRL Anzac Round clash and other Anzac Day services is part of its commitment to growing a liveable city that connects people to what they need, investing in over 60 inclusive and diverse events for our community every year.
The Cowboys clash with the Knights is an event the whole family can enjoy and further displays Townsville as vibrant city centred around inclusive connected neighbourhoods where residents have a real sense of belonging.
To support the Cowboys at the NRL Anzac Round sponsored by Council, visit: cowboys.com.au/tickets.
