- Cazalys Stadium in Cairns to host its first AFLW Premiership game
- Home game for Hawthorn Football Club under the Hawks' Northern Nest initiative
- Hawthorn plays Richmond on 20 October during AFLW Indigenous Round.
The countdown has begun to the first AFLW match for Premiership points at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns on Friday 20 October.
Hawthorn Football Club's Northern Nest initiative will see the Hawks at home at Cazalys Stadium to the Richmond Tigers during the AFLW's Indigenous Round.
The Hawthorn v Richmond AFLW clash is tipped to generate hundreds of thousands of dollars for Tropical North Queensland's visitor economy and support good local jobs.
Tropical North Queensland's First Nations communities will be celebrated during the AFLW Indigenous Round game at Cazalys Stadium.
Cairns recently hosted Hawthorn's two-day pre-season AFLW camp under the Northern Nest initiative including a school gala day and coaching sessions.
The AFLW Hawthorn v Richmond game is supported by the Palaszczuk Government through Tourism and Events Queensland's It's live! In Queensland events calendar.
Member for Cairns and Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy said:
"Bringing the AFLW to Cazalys Stadium for the Indigenous Round is a wonderful investment in Tropical North Queensland's visitor economy and women's sport.
"The Hawthorn v Richmond game will be Cazalys first AFLW match and continues the stadium's long-standing tradition of hosting elite, premiership Australian Rules Football.
"We know this match has amazing potential to inspire young girls and women in the Tropical North to stay active, healthy and get involved in the game."
Tourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said:
"The Hawthorn v Richmond AFLW game is part of Tourism and Events Queensland's It's Live! In Queensland events calendar.
"We're backing the AFLW's first match at Cazalys Stadium because of its potential to generate hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Tropical North's visitor economy and support good Queensland jobs.
"The Hawthorn v Richmond AFLW Indigenous Round clash will be highly anticipated in Cairns with the State already experiencing an incredible 380 per cent increase in Queensland girls and women playing AFL.
"For teams, support crew and the growing AFLW supporter base in Cairns for the game, this is also a terrific opportunity to discover more of Tropical North Queensland's great lifestyle and iconic, world-class visitor experiences."
AFL Cairns General Manager Craig Lees said:
"AFL Cairns couldn't be more thrilled to have the opportunity to host the Hawthorn AFLW side for this momentous match at Cazalys Stadium.
"It's a true showpiece event, especially during the prestigious Indigenous Round on the AFLW calendar. We are proud to showcase our region's passion for sport, and this game will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on our community. It's an occasion not to be missed."
Hawthorn Football Club Acting CEO Ash Klein said:
"We are delighted to take the next step in our partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland, Cairns Regional Council and AFL Cairns by hosting an AFLW blockbuster game against Richmond at Cazalys Stadium," Klein said.
"We know the Cairns community are passionate about our game and we look forward to seeing them come out in droves to support the brown and gold.
"As a club, we are committed to growing the game and getting more women and girls involved, and there's no better way to do this than by showcasing our sport at the elite level in a fantastic region like Cairns."
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said:
"Hosting an AFLW game for the first time in Cairns is a wonderful opportunity for our region.
"This inaugural fixture is fantastic news for local girls and women players who will be inspired by seeing top-level female athletes at Cazalys stadium.
"It will also be a chance to showcase our city and our ability to host elite professional sport.
"Cazalys Stadium is quite simply the best AFL oval in regional Australia."
