22 July 2021
Published 07 September 2020
Moreton Bay Regional Council has emerged a winner after stepping up to the plate to host the 2020 Softball Queensland Open Men’s State Championships on the weekend (September 4-6).
There were 250-500 competitors, officials and spectators at the multimillion-dollar Talobilla Park, Kippa-Ring at any one time throughout the three days, in accordance with COVID Safe regulations.
Mayor Peter Flannery, who was there on Sunday to award the winning teams with their medallions, said the event injected an estimated $800,000 to the local economy.
“These kinds of events are a home run for the local economy, as competitors and supporters stay in local hotels, eat at local cafes and support local businesses,” he said.
“That’s why Council has committed more than $49 million in this year’s Budget for sport and recreation, to be able to host state, national and even international competitions as well as providing residents with a range of options for keeping fit and healthy.
“We’ve invested $2 million over the past two years alone upgrading Talobilla Park to be one of the best softball and baseball venues in Queensland, and we have further $389,000 funding pencilled in thanks to State Government’s Works For Queensland program.”
It comes after Moreton Bay successfully hosted the 2019 Masters Tournament that attracted more than 3000 visitors to the region.
Softball Queensland CEO Ross Symonds said there was a better than expected turnout on the weekend, after athletes were forced off the fields for several months due to COVID-19.
“We’re thrilled to have had the teams competing at this year’s event thanks the cooperation of Redcliffe Softball Association and Moreton Bay Regional Council who both smashed it out of the park,” he said.
“From the canteen to pre-match warm ups, everything was socially distanced to the ensure the championship ran smoothly for competitors, officials and supporters.
“We had teams going in and out of the venue before and after matches so we could keep the numbers below 500 at any one time.
“We sincerely thank Moreton Bay Regional Council for their continuing support for softball in the region and we hope to come back here for the 2021 Masters Tournament after this year’s event was postponed.”
Fifteen teams from all over the state travelled to be a part of the championships on the weekend, coming from as far as Mackay and Rockhampton.
Logan City were the big winners, taking out both the Queensland Cup and Open Cup against Redlands in both finals, while Hervey Bay were too good for Ipswich B in the President’s Cup.