The walls of 1300SMILES Stadium will ring with the sound of ‘Cowboysss’ for the last time when the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys take the field this Thursday night for a historic final event to farewell the stadium and first home of the club.
Members and fans can anticipate a variety of entertainment when gates open at 5.50pm, with highlights of the night including a Memories and Milestones Flag Ceremony, eight-minute fireworks show, return by past legends, musical and dance performances, and an on-field Stadium Farewell Fan photo.
What’s on:
- Cowboys v Bulldogs in farewell match
- On-field Stadium Farewell Fan photo
- Memories and Milestones Flag Ceremony
- Eight-minute firework show
- Fan favourite 1RAR Band performing 20-minute set
- A special half-time showcase led by Tenille Cooper, who choreographed the impressive JT Tribute dance in 2018
- Cowboys Old Boys form guard of honour for 2019 team
- Top 10 Stadium Highlights Reel
- HitFM Mascot 200-meter Dash, happening for the first time before the game
- Never-done-before Toyota Mass Mini Mods Carnival
- Limited edition commemorative flag giveaway
The Cowboys announced the theme ‘Memories and Milestones’ earlier in the season, and have been planning entertainment to celebrate the occasion, today revealing in full pre-match, half-time and post-match plans.
Stadium to be sent out in style
Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel said of the plans: “This hallowed ground has given us so many memories, so it’s the perfect opportunity for people to return to our wonderful city and first home of the Cowboys to take part in a momentous occasion, which is a pivotal time for our club and the community.”
“We set out to farewell our stadium against the Bulldogs, since we played them in 1995 when we opened up the stadium, so it will be a great night of football and entertainment,” Reibel said.
“As well as giving the stadium the send-off it deserves, we are also focussed on recognising and honouring the many people who have contributed to the time we have spent here.”
The pre-match Memories and Milestones Flag Ceremony will be a nod to chapters of the Cowboys story, with familiar faces to bear flags titled Beginnings, Coaches, Captains, Members and Milestones.
Flag bearers are Laurie Spina, Amanda Murray, Paul Bowman, Barry Buchanan and Matthew Bowen, accompanied by Cowboy legends, club leaders, members and business partners representing significant milestones of Cowboys’ history.
“Our flag ceremony recognises individuals and groups and we invite everyone to join us be part of a moment in history as we stroll down memory lane,” Reibel said.
History will also be present when Cowboys Old Boys form the guard of honour, representing generations of players who have left their blood, sweat and tears on the field and honouring the 2019 team.
“We put the call out for Old Boys, anyone who’s donned the jersey, and we’ll have players from 1995 through to recently retired superstars who will be a part of that,” Reibel said.
Reibel said he’s also really looking forward to the on-field Stadium Farewell Fan photo which will take place after the game.
“We’re going to open up the gates to allow people on the field and will send the drone up to capture a moment in time,” Reibel said.
“I could not think of a better way to farewell this stadium then getting everyone together onto the ground for a photo before we close the gates for the final time.”
Reibel acknowledges that the celebrations will be a time to remember and reminisce, but also a time to celebrate.
“I’d like people to leave knowing that they were part of history, that they were part of saying goodbye to this ground, but also feeling part of the future and looking forward to 2020 and beyond,” Reibel said.
The Cowboys formed to give North Queensland their own team, and to give homegrown talent the opportunity to represent their region.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill will open the Memories and Milestones Flag Ceremony.
She said Townsville City Council was proud to support the Cowboys at their final home game.
“The Cowboys bring together members of our community and visitors from far and wide. This is a terrific occasion they have planned to celebrate their last home game at 1300SMILES Stadium,” Cr Hill said.
“This is something close to the heart of so many Townsville residents, and it personifies our community spirit given the effort it took in the beginning by so many people to get the club off the ground.”
Gates open at 5.50pm with the formal ceremonies beginning at 6.50pm on Thursday 29 August before a 7.50pm kick-off at 1300SMILES Stadium.
To celebrate the farewell game at the Cowboys’ inaugural home ground, the club is offering a discounted Retro Membership including Northern/Southern Grandstand or General Admission tickets at $19.95.
For tickets go to ticketek/COW2419
