TICKETS to next February's NRL trial match between the North Queensland Cowboys and New Zealand Warriors have gone on sale, with a run already made on grandstand seats.
Queensland Rugby League local league administrator Pat Bailey, who is still responsible for co-ordinating major events for the Cairns District Rugby League, said blocks of tickets in the grandstand were being bought by "experienced" fans who knew to get in early.
"People are buying blocks of (up to) 70 already," she said of groups such as the Innisfail Leagues Club and Cowboys Supporters’ Club.
The Cowboys head to Barlow Park for the eighth consecutive year, a record chief executive Peter Parr said the club was proud of.
"I don’t know of anywhere else in Australia in any code where a regional centre has got eight pre-season games in a row," Parr said.
"We’re very proud of that fact and we hope that eight continues on for many years because Cairns is so important to us.
"I don’t think anybody could question our commitment to Cairns.
"So we should take that responsibility for Cairns because it’s such an important area for us.
"We have a great relationship with the Cairns District Rugby League and we will do whatever we can to support rugby league here."
The Warriors will arrive in the Far North on February 16 to train ahead of the match on February 20.
Both teams will take part in a fan evening at Stockland, Earlville on February 18 and school and hospital visits on February 19. The Cowboys and Warriors will hold open training sessions ahead of the match.
* Grandstand tickets for the match are available at the CDRL office in Severin St, with credit card facilities and phone bookings available. Phone 4031 6772.
Family passes and passes to the outer are also available at the CDRL office and Sportscene Super Warehouse on Mulgrave Rd.
