After the turmoil of 2020, the Ipswich Jets season launch marked a welcome return to near normal for the city’s sports scene.
The Ipswich Jets’ rugby league and netball clubs celebrated the season launch at the North Ipswich Reserve Corporate Centre on Thursday, with players, coaches, club staff and sponsors coming together to kick off the 2021 season.
Ipswich Jets chief executive officer Richard Hughes said the 2021 season launch was an exciting milestone for the club, as it launched the netball and rugby league seasons together for the first time.
“The season launch was a great opportunity to celebrate the 2021 season coming up and also recognise all the hard work that has been put in during the preseason,” Mr Hughes said.
“It was the first time that we’ve ever been able to launch both the netball and rugby league seasons together, so it was also a great opportunity to showcase both the codes that we look after under the Ipswich Jets banner.”
Mr Hughes said the 2021 season meant a lot to the club after the 2020 season was severely impacted by COVID-19.
“I think specifically for rugby league, one of the key things for them, is that they train hard for six months over preseason and then they were only able to play one game before the season was cancelled,” Mr Hughes said.
“It’s going to be a good reward for them to get on the field in 2021.
“For the girls, it was still a strange and shortened lead in to last year, so this year they’ve got full prep time to get ready.
“Even in that short period they did so well last year, this year they’ll have their full lead in to the season.”
Round one of the Intrust Super Cup season kicks off on Defence Force Appreciation Day on 20 March, with all four Ipswich Jets rugby league grades playing at home at the North Ipswich Reserve.
“It’s a fantastic time to come out and support the region and see all the time and effort these boys have put in during off season being rewarded,” Mr Hughes said.
“I really encourage people to come out and support them.”
Ipswich Jets patron Mayor Teresa Harding said it was wonderful to see the city’s sporting scene back in action in 2021.
“Ipswich is Queensland’s sporting heartland. We love getting out there and backing our local teams and athletes,” Mayor Harding said.
“The launch comes at an exciting time as the merged Brisbane Jets bid progresses ahead of a decision on the location of the 2032 Olympics.”
Mayor Harding said the launch was another opportunity to highlight the economic and social benefits of the North Ipswich Sport and Entertainment Precinct, with stage two of its business case currently being finalised.
Image: Mayor Teresa Harding pictured at the Ipswich Jets 2021 season launch.
