How the Dolphins landed an NRL team – and what Christchurch can learn
Christchurch is looking to the city behind the Dolphins for lessons on securing an NRL team – including the importance of council backing and investment.
City of Moreton Bay officials have been in Christchurch this week, sharing business opportunities ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics at a rel="" title="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/moreton-bay-targets-canterbury-businesses-ahead-of-brisbane-2032-olympics/7AWMAT67LRBGNEWXXPX7VTHQWE/">business breakfast yesterday.
They also met with Christchurch City Council to discuss how the Queensland city secured the NRL’s 17th team, the Dolphins.
A bid for a team in the Garden City was initially launched by Southern Sporting Limited, which has met with ministers over the past year.
Christchurch City Council is now fronting the bid, with the NRL expected to decide on the 20th team before Christmas.
City of Moreton Bay Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway said the two cities had plenty in common, including a similar population.
“We’ve just been having conversations about what a positive impact having a national sporting team in your city can do,” she said.
Shipway said her council strongly backed the Dolphins before their entry into the NRL was confirmed.
“The Dolphins are one of the longest-running rugby league clubs in Brisbane, but what we did is we ensured they had the adequate infrastructure.”
The council contributed A$12.9 million ($15.9m) towards a stadium in Redcliffe, now known as Kayo Stadium, which Shipway said boosted the bid.
“Having that stadium and the facilities they have there just ensured that their bid had the financial viability.”
The City of Moreton Bay also wrote a letter of support, alongside the state and federal government.
Shipway said local council backing was essential for any future NRL team.
“We’re very supportive and a sponsor of the Dolphins,” she said.
She said Christchurch Deputy Mayor Victoria Henstock was also supportive of bringing a team to the city, when speaking to Shipway in the city on Sunday.
ChristchurchNZ and Christchurch City Council declined to comment further on their discussions.
The details of Christchurch’s bid have been kept under wraps, with the council refusing to release a feasibility study into the proposal after it was requested.
The group behind the bid includes council staff, former New Zealand Rugby League chairman Reon Edwards, ChristchurchNZ chairwoman Lauren Quaintance and Michael Goldstein, who is behind the New Zealand Open golf event.
Southern Sporting has previously said its bid would need some form of government backing, similar to the Perth Bears and the Papua New Guinea Chiefs.
The NRL will decide whether to expand the competition, as reports of potential bids from Hamilton and Ipswich, Queensland continue to circulate.
The Southern Orcas are also pursuing a team, although chairman Sir Graham Lowe has previously said the Orcas are not involved in the council’s work.