The NRL premiership trophy will be back at Melbourne Storm's home away from home as a feature of a special Storm X Lightning on the Sunny Coast event on February 19.
Sunshine Coast Council Economy Portfolio Councillor Jason O'Pray said it was always a pleasure to welcome Melbourne Storm back to their home away from home.
"After such a successful outcome from being based here on the Sunshine Coast during the 2020 season, having them come back for a visit with the trophy is really exciting for all their Sunshine Coast supporters", Cr O'Pray said.
With the support of Sunshine Coast Council, the two hours of activities will be a great chance for Storm members and fans, who enjoyed seeing Craig Bellamy's team play in their backyard at Sunshine Coast Stadium during their 2020 premiership season, get up close to some members of the 2021 squad.
They'll also be able to meet Storm's future stars and a contingent from the two-time Suncorp Super Netball premiers, Sunshine Coast Lightning.
As part of a unique afternoon, Storm will hold an open training session ahead of their pre-season trial against NZ Warriors at Redcliffe the following evening.
The festival will also feature Q&As with Storm and Lightning players and coaches, free giveaways and the chance to win three major door prizes.
Memberships for both clubs will also be available.
Storm will arrive on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday, February 18 and return to the familiar surroundings of Novotel Sunshine Coast at Twin Waters where they were based for the majority of last season.
The travelling squad is expected to include some familiar names including grand final team member Nicho Hynes, Fijian international Tui Kamikamica and 2020 NRL debutants Chris Lewis and Darryn Schonig, all of whom came to Storm via the pathway from the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
It will also be one of the last chances for a group of Storm contracted youngsters to push for places in the club's top 30 squad for 2021.
Hynes said he was looking forward to returning to the Coast and showing off the famous NRL premiership trophy.
"The Sunshine Coast played a huge role in our success last year and we're really happy to have the chance to come back there to see our members and fans prior to the new season getting underway," he said.
"We'll bring the trophy with us so everyone can grab some photos to keep as a memory of what was a huge premiership win for our club.
"It's not every day that you can get your pic taken with the NRL premiership trophy.
"It's also going to be a great chance to catch up with the Lightning squad and see how they're progressing.
"There's a close bond between us. We always keep a check on how each other is going and I'm sure they'll be really keen to get the trophy back this season."
The Storm X Lightning event will begin at 3pm and run through to 5.30pm with COVID-19 protocols in place.
League fans can stay on to watch the Sunshine Coast Falcons' captains run from 6pm.
FREE Entry, limited to the first 1,500 people.
