Our region’s $800,000 home run

Redcliffe will be home for more than 450 players, officials and fans this weekend as host of the 2020 Softball Queensland Open Men’s State Championships.

Players and officials from as far as Cairns, Mt Isa, Mackay, Rockhampton, Maryborough and Hervey Bay will be at Talobilla Park, Kippa-Ring for the event from September 4-6.

They will join others from Logan, Noosa, Gladstone, Toowoomba, Redcliffe, Redlands, Brisbane, Ipswich, Caboolture and the Sunshine Coast and help pump an estimated $800,000 into the local economy.

Softball Queensland CEO Ross Symonds says the event will be popular this year, after players were forced off the fields for months due to COVID-19.

“We’re thrilled to have these teams competing at this year’s event and look forward to three fantastic days of competition, thanks to the Redcliffe League Softball Association and support from Moreton Bay Regional Council,” Mr Symonds says.

It follows last year’s Masters Tournament in this region, which attracted more than 3000 competitors, officials and spectators.

Perfect timing

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery says the economic boost from this event couldn’t come at a better time.

“These kinds of events bring significant economic uplift with them, as competitors and supporters stay in local hotels, eat at local restaurants and support local businesses,” he says.

The Mayor says $49 million has been allocated in this year’s budget for sport and to host state, national and international events.

Councillor Sandra Ruck (Div 5) is hoping visitors will extend their stay in the region.

“Once they experience our local hospitality standards, I’m sure every competitor, official, and spectator will want to come back here every year,” she says.

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