“We’ve got the best rugby league talent in the country.”
That was the pitch that sold the City of Logan to New Zealand Warriors CEO Cameron George.
The words were uttered by the city’s deputy mayor Scott Bannan, who flew to New Zealand with his advisor on his own dime to secure an Australian-first partnership with the NRL club.
“My pitch was: ‘Mate, we’ve got the biggest Polynesian community in the world outside New Zealand. We’re very similar – we’re the underdogs’,” Cr Bannan said, reflecting on his meeting with the Warriors CEO.
Before that, a similar pitch was made to the Brisbane Broncos and Souths Logan Magpies – neither of which matched Cr Bannan’s energy.
He said they were too Brisbane-centric.
“We met with the CEOs of the Broncos and of Souths, but nothing they said stacked up.
“There wasn’t any financial investment at all.”
Twelve months later, the city’s “biggest ever” sporting development has taken off.
Logan is the Warrior’s first home-away-from-home, much to the delight of thousands of fans. And even better, according to Cr Bannan, the club has brought with it training and community programs that will make Logan a better place.
“I believe in the dream. This is what we are about as a club,” Mr George said, according to Cr Bannan.
The Warriors’ Logan academy will offer an “elite” training and talent identification program, as well as a community program to help local young people connect with sport and career opportunities outside football.
Cr Bannan said he believed the Warriors were genuine in their community ambitions. He said it wasn’t about recruiting for the NRL, but building community.
Mr George said in July that the club wasn’t looking to steal talent, but would be happy to walk away with “two or three footballers” a year.
“If you do play footy, that’s great. We’ll give you the opportunity to be the best you can be,” he said.
“If that means we do get some exceptional young girls or boys come out of here to play in our colours, that’ll make us really proud and make the local community proud.
“At the end of the day, we’ve got so many kids in New Zealand through our academies that are fit for purpose. But it doesn’t mean we can’t come here and attract some of the kids.”
Late last month the Warriors made their first official appearance in Logan. They were met by more than 5000 fans at their new home at the Logan Metro Sports Park in Browns Plains.
In return for using the facilities, the league team will work directly with local clubs, providing support to local coaches and players.
Cr Bannan said the deal wouldn’t have happened without the trust and support of his fellow councillors, and council staff from the events and facilities teams.
