Moreton Daily Stadium unveiled as new name for Dolphin Stadium
Dolphin Stadium has secured its first naming-rights deal, with the venue to be known as Moreton Daily Stadium for the next three years.
The venue has been the home ground of the Redcliffe Dolphins for more than 70 years, with the club aiming to be the next team to join the NRL competition.
The Brisbane Roar moved their A-League and W-League matches to the stadium this year, while the Dolphins have also announced a partnership with the NZ Warriors which will see the NRL team based at the venue while in Australia - they'll host a trial game against Melbourne Storm on February 20 which will also serve as the official opening of the upgraded stadium.
Redcliffe Dolphins CEO Tony Murphy confirmed the sponsorship deal with the not-for-profit group Moreton Bay Region Industry and Tourism (MBRIT) on Friday.
“Our business plan was to secure a naming rights sponsor and we have been looking for opportunities for the last three years,” Mr Murphy explained.
“We had interest from numerous online betting companies, beverage companies and even multinational firms scrambling to win naming rights. We’re excited it’s a local organisation from our region that’s come on board.”
Moreton Daily is a free community news website for the Moreton Bay Region, which also publishes a community newspaper called Dolphins News in partnership with the rugby league club.
Murphy explained the club needs to be a financially viable organisation first and foremost, and the naming rights is a part of the strategy the club is following to be the successful bidder to make sure the Dolphins are a success on the national stage.
“We also think of the Dolphins being the sole Queensland Cup team of the Moreton Bay Regional Council area and the name Moreton should resonate with us all.”
The stadium has undergone significant change over the past five years, with a three-stage redevelopment completed in September last year. It now has a capacity of 11,500, including seating for 10,000 spectators in its three grandstands.
The upgrades were funded with significant contributions from Moreton Bay Regional Council and the State and Federal Governments.
Mr Murphy said the club’s board was unanimous in agreeing to the naming rights commercial agreement and for the to achieve its goal of competing in the NRL, it must be commercially and financially solid.
“The opportunity to compete at the highest level of our game only presents itself maybe once every 30 years, if that, unfortunately sentiment alone won’t get you there. However, stands such as the ‘Des Webb Stand’ will always remain as such.”
Mr Murphy says the club’s number one goal is to play rugby league at the highest level.
“It has been for as long as I can remember. We now have an opportunity to turn this dream into a reality and commercial soundness is the NRL’s number one requirement,” he says.
“One of the most important aspects of our club is our sponsors. If you’re a supporter of our club, you need to be a supporter of our sponsors because without them, we wouldn’t exist.”
MBRIT Chairman Shane Newcombe expressed his excited about the partnership, saying it not only secures the venue’s future for the next three years but also presents new opportunities for event attraction and engaging with new audiences through the Moreton Daily platform.
“We have been working with the Dolphins to secure events for the stadium and that hard work is already starting to pay off, with the Brisbane Roar playing all their A-League and W-League home games there,” Mr Newcombe said.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg. This stadium has the potential to host events all-year-round, not just home games during the footy season.
“Naming the venue Moreton Daily Stadium makes sense. It is the new, free, independent and trusted local news source for the region and a big supporter of the Moreton Bay Region’s only Queensland Cup team. In an era of supporting local businesses and organisations, it’s the perfect fit.”
