• Home
  • Forum
  • Super Rugby
    • ACT Brumbies
    • Melbourne Rebels
    • NSW Waratahs
    • Queensland Reds
    • Western Force
  • Wallabies
    • All Blacks
    • Argentina
    • Barbarians
    • British & Irish Lions
    • England
    • Fiji
    • France
    • Ireland
    • Italy
    • Japan
    • Samoa
    • Scotland
    • Wales
  • Women’s Rugby
  • Rugby World Cup
    • 2023 Rugby World Cup Fantasy League
  • Sevens
  • Schoolboy
  • Podcast

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

What's Hot

Game Review: England v Chile – Pool D – Saturday 23 September

September 24, 2023

Game Review: Georgia V Portugal – Pool C – Saturday 23 September

September 24, 2023

Game Review: South Africa V Ireland – Pool B – Saturday 23 September

September 24, 2023
Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter
Green and Gold Rugby
Facebook Instagram YouTube Twitter
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Super Rugby
    1. ACT Brumbies
    2. Melbourne Rebels
    3. NSW Waratahs
    4. Queensland Reds
    5. Western Force
    6. View All

    Friday’s Rugby News – 23/6/23

    June 22, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 12/6/23

    June 11, 2023

    Friday’s Rugby News – 9/6/23

    June 9, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 5/6/23

    June 4, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 5/6/23

    June 4, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 29/5/23

    May 28, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 15/5/23

    May 14, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 8/5/23

    May 7, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 5/6/23

    June 4, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 29/5/23

    May 28, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 15/5/23

    May 14, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 8/5/23

    May 7, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 5/6/23

    June 4, 2023

    Thursdays Rugby News 1/6/23

    June 1, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 29/5/23

    May 28, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 15/5/23

    May 14, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 5/6/23

    June 4, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 29/5/23

    May 28, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 15/5/23

    May 14, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 8/5/23

    May 7, 2023

    Happy’s Thursday Rugby News –Eddie Jones Is the Answer for Australian Rugby

    August 24, 2023

    Happy’s Thursday Rugby News – The Chocolate Wheel of Injustice

    August 17, 2023

    Thursdays Rugby News – May the Force Be With Them

    August 10, 2023

    Happy Thursday – Its Not a Conspiracy If They Are Picking On You

    August 3, 2023
  • Wallabies
    1. All Blacks
    2. Argentina
    3. Barbarians
    4. British & Irish Lions
    5. England
    6. Fiji
    7. France
    8. Ireland
    9. Italy
    10. Japan
    11. Samoa
    12. Scotland
    13. Wales
    14. View All

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #9: David v Goliath

    September 18, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #8: Let’s Get ready to rumble!

    September 11, 2023

    Game Review: France v New Zealand – Pool A – Friday 8 September

    September 9, 2023

    Friday’s Rugby News: C’est l’heure.

    September 8, 2023

    Game Review: Argentina v Samoa – Pool D – Friday 22 September

    September 22, 2023

    Happy’s Thursday Rugby News – Week Two What Did We Learn

    September 21, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #8: Let’s Get ready to rumble!

    September 11, 2023

    Game Review: England v Argentina – Pool D – Saturday 9 September

    September 10, 2023

    Thursday’s Rugby News 25/5/23

    May 25, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 15/11/21

    November 15, 2021

    Monday’s Rugby News – 20/09/21

    September 20, 2021

    Five observations from the Barbarian match

    November 4, 2014

    Thursdays Rugby News 1/6/23

    June 1, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 13/3/23

    March 12, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 20/09/21

    September 20, 2021

    Thursdays Rugby News

    August 19, 2021

    Happy’s Thursday Rugby News – Week Two What Did We Learn

    September 21, 2023

    Live Chat: England v Japan.

    September 18, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #9: David v Goliath

    September 18, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #8: Let’s Get ready to rumble!

    September 11, 2023

    Happy’s Thursday Rugby News – Week Two What Did We Learn

    September 21, 2023

    Eddie Has to Go!

    September 18, 2023

    Live Chat & Game Review: Fiji v Australia – Pool D – Sunday 8 October

    September 18, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #9: David v Goliath

    September 18, 2023

    France v Namibia – Pool A – Thursday 21 September

    September 22, 2023

    Happy’s Thursday Rugby News – Week Two What Did We Learn

    September 21, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #9: David v Goliath

    September 18, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #8: Let’s Get ready to rumble!

    September 11, 2023

    South Africa v Ireland: Live Chat

    September 24, 2023

    Happy’s Thursday Rugby News – Week Two What Did We Learn

    September 21, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #9: David v Goliath

    September 18, 2023

    Live Chat: Ireland v Tonga

    September 17, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #9: David v Goliath

    September 18, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #8: Let’s Get ready to rumble!

    September 11, 2023

    The Chewsday Chew

    April 10, 2023

    Thursday’s Rugby News 16/3/23

    March 16, 2023

    Live Chat: England v Japan.

    September 18, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #9: David v Goliath

    September 18, 2023

    Game Review: Japan v Chile – Pool D – Sunday 10 September

    September 10, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #7: It’s the Final Countdown!

    September 4, 2023

    Game Review: Argentina v Samoa – Pool D – Friday 22 September

    September 22, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #9: David v Goliath

    September 18, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 18th July 2022

    July 17, 2022

    Monday’s Rugby News – 11th July 2022

    July 10, 2022

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #9: David v Goliath

    September 18, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #8: Let’s Get ready to rumble!

    September 11, 2023

    Live Chat: South Africa v Scotland

    September 11, 2023

    Thursday’s Rugby News 9/2/23

    February 9, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #9: David v Goliath

    September 18, 2023

    Game Review: Fiji v Wales – Pool C – Sunday 10 September

    September 11, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #8: Let’s Get ready to rumble!

    September 11, 2023

    Live Chat: Wales v Fiji

    September 11, 2023

    Friday’s Rugby News: Utopia?

    September 22, 2023

    Happy’s Thursday Rugby News – Week Two What Did We Learn

    September 21, 2023

    Eddie Has to Go!

    September 18, 2023

    Mad Monday with Brisneyland Local #9: David v Goliath

    September 18, 2023
  • Women’s Rugby

    Compare and contrast of AU and NZ women’s rugby

    September 7, 2023

    Friday’s Rugby News: The Gaul of it.

    August 25, 2023

    Kirby Sefo on Women’s Rugby

    August 24, 2023

    Yowie on the Loose: World Cup squads, coach-helpers and some catch-up for women’s rugby

    August 23, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 24/7/23

    July 23, 2023
  • Rugby World Cup
    1. 2023 Rugby World Cup Fantasy League
    2. View All

    Game Review: England v Chile – Pool D – Saturday 23 September

    September 24, 2023

    Game Review: Georgia V Portugal – Pool C – Saturday 23 September

    September 24, 2023

    Game Review: South Africa V Ireland – Pool B – Saturday 23 September

    September 24, 2023

    South Africa v Ireland: Live Chat

    September 24, 2023

    Game Review: England v Chile – Pool D – Saturday 23 September

    September 24, 2023

    Game Review: Georgia V Portugal – Pool C – Saturday 23 September

    September 24, 2023

    Game Review: South Africa V Ireland – Pool B – Saturday 23 September

    September 24, 2023

    South Africa v Ireland: Live Chat

    September 24, 2023
  • Sevens

    Australia’s Iona College brave but beaten in Rugby Heritage Cup Final

    September 7, 2023

    Brisbane’s Iona College through to the world semi-finals of Rugby Heritage Cup

    September 6, 2023

    Happy Thursdays Rugby News 27/7/23

    July 27, 2023

    Thursday’s Rugby News 20/3/23

    April 20, 2023

    Monday’s Rugby News – 10/4/23

    April 9, 2023
  • Schoolboy Rugby

    Nudgee College win 44th QLD GPS Rugby Premiership

    September 14, 2023

    Thursday’s Rugby News 24/3/22

    March 23, 2022

    Rugbycology report -Super Rugby AU Round 6

    August 10, 2020

    It all starts with ambition: A schools rugby analysis piece

    August 4, 2019

    Australian Schools Championships – the tradition continues

    July 4, 2019
  • Podcast

    The Dropped Kick-Off 97 – Put it in H

    September 20, 2023

    The Dropped Kick-Off 96 – ‘First Gear’ Wallabies (RWC2023 Fiji Preview) with Hoss

    September 15, 2023

    The Dropped Kick-Off 95 – World Cup Bites (RWC2023 Week One) with Hoss

    September 13, 2023

    The Dropped Kick-Off 94 – Your Ultimate 2023 Rugby World Cup Predictor

    September 6, 2023

    The Dropped Kick-Off 91 – A Moral (Oral) Victory

    August 3, 2023
Green and Gold Rugby
Home»Super Rugby»Queensland Reds»Is Ballymore the future of QLD Rugby?
Queensland Reds

Is Ballymore the future of QLD Rugby?

TOCCBy TOCCJanuary 26, 201010 Comments1 Views
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp VKontakte Email
Brisbane City v Melbourne Rising NRC Rugby match
Image Credit: TOCC
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

Ballymore – history and tradition reverberate around this ground like few others. Walking around the ground it seems like only yesterday that John Eales led the once mighty Reds onto the field, or the Wallabies took on the British Lions in a test so fierce that it earnt the tag the ‘battle of ballymore’.

Great battles of triumph and despair by both QLD and the Wallabies have been fought on the hallowed ground, yet today the cherished ground faces a new battle, to flourish or fade.

Stands which once held thousands rarely see attendance these days, whilst the Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) will argue the fields are utilised with thousands of patrons visiting the ground annually for tournaments and finals, the realisation is that the majority of these visitors are players and not patrons. 

Ballymore has been the heart and soul of Queensland Rugby for the past 50years, the QRU moved to Ballymore in 1966 after receiving the land as a grant from the state government. McLean stand was opened in 1968 followed by the Eastern stand in 1980 giving us the Ballymore Stadium we know today

In 2006 under a $25million grant promised by the Howard Govt, Ballymore was to upgraded into a multi-purpose sporting facility and play host to the Australian Rugby Academy. Wine bottles were popped and the pats on the back could be heard echoing down the QRU hallways, quickly the pats turned to whispers of horrors as the newly elected Kevin Rudd and his aptly named razor gang took to reducing govt expenditure, the rugby academy was one of the first projects to be cut.

Regrouping and looking forward, the QRU decided to press with the development application in the hope that the Govt would see the light and change there mind. Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie came to the party and supported a QLD Govt grant of $4.2million to build a 25m pool and minor improvements around the ground, yet this ray of hope has again turned to despair as the QLD Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC) carry out a ongoing investigation into whether the funds were not utilised for their intended purpose and instead partly siphoned out to the UQ Rugby Academy.

An off-season cleanout of the QRU hierarchy has fueled rumours that the Ballymore redevelopment plan is again to be reassessed. However, the QLD Govt will be reluctant to support any more funding for a project which has the cloud of a CMC investigation still hanging over it. The federal govt seems to remain the last option, but the chances of a back flip from the Kevin Rudd Govt are slim. If a government grant fails to arrive the project would require to be funded by a loan, and whilst this isn’t alsways such a bad thing, Union is a niche market within Australia and not a proven income winner, something which lingers heavily when funding a project with debt.

Ballymore Development Plan
A plan too far?

A-league side the Brisbane Roar moved to Ballymore at the start of 2009, the female Brisbane Roar side also play there W-League home games at Ballymore, but a financial crisis has had the Roar looking at their options as well. Their contract to remain at home in Ballymore expires at the end of 2010 and the QRU will be eager to retain the Roar as they  assist to fund the maintenance costs of the facilities.

In the next few months the QRU should receive approval from the Brisbane City Council for there proposed development application, at which point they will be confronted with the critical question of whether they pursue the project. It has the potential to revitalise Ballymore and secure an additional income stream for the QRU, however it also has the potential to be a financial burden which sends the QRU bankrupt.

Whilst there is a historical attachment between rugby union and Ballymore, one has to wonder whether alternatives have been considered. One such idea might be to search for a new home, to find a blank canvas and start new, sell the Ballymore land to a private developer or back to the govt and use the money to fund a new facility. Ballymore could be valued at $30million generously, planning legislation is the one thing holding back the value of the land but the govt may be eager to assist in this area, by providing funding for a new multi-purpose sporting facility and turning Ballymore into a community park with parts sold off to a private developer.

One option is to head out to the land abundant Brisbane Airport who are always eager to diversify their income stream, build a new multi-purpose sporting facility, a project which includes a boutique 15’000 seat stadium, 2 training fields, a gym, pool, accommodation, administration buildings and sport science precinct. Brisbane Roar become co-tenants, the Wallabies, Maroons and Socceroos can rent the facilities when in town and visiting AFL/NRL clubs can rent the facilities when in Brisbane.

Whilst its easy to float such a idea, I understand there are incredibly difficult logistics behind it, as well as the negative reaction from fans and stakeholders who hold a ideological nostalgic attachment to Ballymore. It might just be that we need to accept that Ballymore isn’t the best option anymore, geographically it’s in an isolated area amongst a suburban neighbourhood, Public Transport nodes are restricted making it difficult to reach, the stadium is growing older and the maintenance costs are only going to increase. Whilst I would love to see Ballymore become the proposed multi purpose facility the QRU want it to be, it’s just questionable as to whether the QRU has the power to make it happen.

Yet 2010 sees a fresh change blow through Ballymore; on the 10th Feb 2010 it will play host to a historical match with the likes of Lockyer, Folau, Campese and Hodges as the Canberra Raiders take on the Brisbane Broncos. 17 days later the QLD Reds play host to the Auckland Blues in the first Super14 match hosted at Ballymore since 2005, the Ballymore Cup brings dozens of schools from around the state to play each other.

Jim Carmichael the new Chief Executive comes from a AFL background with no strings attached, he has already expressed that Ballymore sits on a knife edge, and the new 2010 QRU wont shirk the responsibility of searching for new income streams for Ballymore whilst assessing the master plan at hand.

One thing’s for certain, with 2008 and 2009 the annus horribilis of QLD Rugby, 2010 could well be the annus mirabilis, both on field and off field there hasn’t been such a important year in QLD Rugby’s history, prevent a player exodus and secure the future of Ballymore.

Ballymore qld reds
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp Email
Previous ArticleNew Wallabies KooGa jersey unveiled
Next Article SANZAR sees sense
TOCC

Related Posts

Happy’s Thursday Rugby News –Eddie Jones Is the Answer for Australian Rugby

August 24, 2023

Happy’s Thursday Rugby News – The Chocolate Wheel of Injustice

August 17, 2023

Thursdays Rugby News – May the Force Be With Them

August 10, 2023

Happy Thursday – Its Not a Conspiracy If They Are Picking On You

August 3, 2023
GAGR Podcast
Our Picks

Eddie Has to Go!

September 18, 2023

Live Chat & Game Review: Fiji v Australia – Pool D – Sunday 8 October

September 18, 2023

Friday’s Rugby News: Utopia?

September 22, 2023

Happy’s Thursday Rugby News – Week Two What Did We Learn

September 21, 2023
Follow Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Don't Miss
Rugby World Cup

Game Review: England v Chile – Pool D – Saturday 23 September

By KeithSeptember 24, 20230

Another early morning report from your Tasweigian correspondent. I get all the plum jobs. Hardly…

Game Review: Georgia V Portugal – Pool C – Saturday 23 September

September 24, 2023

Game Review: South Africa V Ireland – Pool B – Saturday 23 September

September 24, 2023

South Africa v Ireland: Live Chat

September 24, 2023

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest news from Green & Gold Rugby.

About Us
About Us

greenandgoldrugby.com is your one stop shop for all things Rugby Union - news, podcasts, opinions, fixtures, events & everything in between.

greenandgoldrugby.com - created by fans of rugby, for fans of rugby.

About
Submit a Story
Authors
Contact
Privacy

Our Picks

Eddie Has to Go!

September 18, 2023

Live Chat & Game Review: Fiji v Australia – Pool D – Sunday 8 October

September 18, 2023

Friday’s Rugby News: Utopia?

September 22, 2023
New Comments
  • Keith Butler on Game Review: South Africa V Ireland – Pool B – Saturday 23 September
  • Keith Butler on Game Review: South Africa V Ireland – Pool B – Saturday 23 September
  • GoldyLocks on Game Review: South Africa V Ireland – Pool B – Saturday 23 September
  • GeorgiaSatellite on Game Review: South Africa V Ireland – Pool B – Saturday 23 September
  • GeorgiaSatellite on Game Review: Georgia V Portugal – Pool C – Saturday 23 September
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Super Rugby
  • Wallabies
  • Podcast
  • Privacy Policy (2023)
© 2023 Ponderosa Publishing Pty Ltd | ABN 76 668 430 386.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.