The Sunshine Coast has become the go-to place for leading sports teams to train and prepare for big matches.
The New Zealand All Blacks are the latest team to set-up a temporary base in the region, with a training camp this week, ahead of their Northern Hemisphere tour.
The rugby heavyweights, who will have an open training session on Tuesday, join a long list of elite teams to train on the Coast during the past couple of years.
A host of NRL teams, including the Roosters, Panthers, Knights, Storm and Sea Eagles have called the region home at times this year.
All eight Super Netball teams trained and/or played out of USC Stadium during 2020, while Collingwood and Melbourne were based here for stints during 2021, alongside the Sunshine Coast Lightning.
Several AFL teams regularly conduct pre-season training camps in the region.
The elite teams relish the location, accommodation and the first-class training facilities and health and wellbeing services, and several of them have also played games here, at Sunshine Coast Stadium and USC Stadium.
Their presence provides tremendous publicity and leads to a multimillion-dollar injection into the local tourism industry.
Sunshine Coast Council Economy Portfolio Councillor Jason O’Pray said hosting the All Blacks was a terrific show of confidence in the region’s capacity to host premiere sporting training camps and events.
“Our region is well known for hosting major events,” he said via a Council press release.
“Showcasing top sporting talent allows our aspiring rugby union players to see their heroes in action and celebrate their success which in turn encourages an active and connected community.”
Fans can see the All Blacks in action when the team opens the doors of Sunshine Coast Stadium for a training session and a Q&A session with players and coaches to share their stories and answer questions from fans on Tuesday, October 12, 9am until 11am.
Queensland Health directives must be followed at the event including scanning the QR codes at the venue and checking in upon arrival, wearing face masks and not attending if you are unwell.
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Teams to train and/or play on the Coast in 2020 and/or 2021
- New Zealand All Blacks rugby team 2021
- Fijian Rugby Sevens Team (men & women) 2021
- Aussie Stingers women’s water polo team 2020, 2021
- Australian Diamonds netball team 2021
- Australian Dolphins paralympic swim team 2021
- Carlton AFL team Australian Rules Football 2020
- Western Bulldogs AFL team 2020
- Melbourne AFL team 2020
- South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL team 2020, 2021
- Port Adelaide AFL team 2020
- Canberra Raiders NRL team 2020
- All eight Super Netball teams 2020
- Melbourne Vixens Super Netball team 2021
- Collingwood Magpies Super Netball team 2021
- Melbourne Storm NRL team 2021
- Manly Warringah Sea Eagles NRL team 2021
- Newcastle Knights NRL team 2021
- Penrith Panthers NRL team 2021
- Sydney Roosters NRL team 2021
