NRL games in Toowoomba boosts Intrust Super Cup bid
https://www.thechronicle.com.au/
RUGBY LEAGUE: The Western Mustangs are closing in on their Intrust Super Cup dreams with the help of the Gold Coast Titans.
With two Titans games to be played at Clive Berghofer Stadium next year the Gold Coast club has already started to strengthen its ties within the region.
Before Christmas the senior squad hit Toowoomba for a pre-season training camp and were happy to meet and greet with fans in between sessions.
Western Mustangs vice-chairman Paul Reedy said the NRL games trial match and pre-season camp were all small steps closer to an Intrust Super Cup bid.
"It puts a lot of focus back on our region, particularly on rugby league in our region," he said.
"It shows the NRL and QRL how much this area is screaming out for footy."
Reedy said Toowoomba and the surrounding regions was huge breeding grounds for rugby league.
Players will be on show in curtain raiser games to the Titans NRL match next year.
This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.
"It's a huge benefit for us having these games here in getting an Intrust team," Reedy said.
The Titan's ties with the Western Mustangs was also a big draw card for the NRL along with former Toowoomba junior Ash Taylor bring a part of the squad.
"They (Gold Coast Titans) know how much Ash loves Toowoomba, he talks about it all the time," Reedy said.
Looking ahead Reedy said Toowoomba Rugby League and the Western Mustangs were pushing for a three or four year deal with the Titans which will see an NRL game in Toowoomba become a regular fixture.
However he said it will all depend on the success of next year's games.
"The NRL will weigh up their investment in taking games regional," Reedy said.
"They will look at how successful it was, how it improved membership bases and how it attracted fans."
He encouraged all footy fans to get behind the games next year to ensure it's not the last we see of NRL in Toowoomba.