Ipswich Jets - NRL Bid

NRL Bid

The Jets have announced they will be part of a bid for a licence in an expanded National Rugby League from 2013. The NRL is likely to call for expansion bids early in 2012 to coincide with negotiations for the next NRL media rights deal, with expansion likely in either 2014 or 2015. The bid promotes the benefits of having a third South-East Queensland club to boost TV ratings, attendances and promote the code in an NRL "heartland" area. David Gallop, NRL CEO, has previously stressed the importance of establishing an NRL side in the "Ipswich-Logan corridor".

Former Sydney Roosters CEO Brian Canavan has been hired as a consultant to bid chairman Steven Johnson to assist in developing the clubs feasibility study and business plan. It is intended for the club to include Ipswich, Toowoomba and Logan, a catchment area of currently 2.2 million people, 350,000 school children, 18,000 registered RL Juniors and huge projected population growth; Ipswich alone is projected to grow from 170,000 to 400,000 by 2030.

The bid proposes that the club build new training, administrative and possibly Leagues Club facilities at Springfield. This location has been selected as it is geographically roughly halfway between Ipswich and Logan, an area with the fastest growing population nationally, and the location of a train line extension due to be completed by 2013. They have received a guarantee from the State Government to build a new Stadium in Springfield, however the Jets would likely play out of Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane until the stadium is completed if granted an NRL licence.

Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith has been touted as a possible initial club captain. The current NRL clubs at the annual CEO's meeting in 2010 promoted Queensland and Western Australia as preferable expansion locations, however hesitated on 2013 being an ideal time to expand, preferring 2015.

Rival bids include Brisbane Bombers, WA Reds, Central Coast Bears and Central Queensland.