Jack Manski Oval is a sporting venue situated in the suburb of Kirwan in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. Predominantly used as a rugby league ground, it is the home ground of the Townsville Blackhawks, who play in the Queensland Cup. The ground is also used by the Townsville Brothers junior and senior rugby league teams.[1]
 | |
| Location | Golf Links Drive, Kirwan, Queensland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 19°19′6″S 146°42′44″E / 19.31833°S 146.71222°E |
| Owner | Brothers Leagues Club |
| Operator | Brothers Leagues Club |
| Capacity | 4,000 |
| Field shape | Rectangular |
| Surface | Grass |
| Opened | 13 August 1984 |
| Tenants | |
| Townsville Blackhawks (2015–present) | |
History
editOriginally based at Queens Park and, later, Gill Park, the Townsville Brothers rugby league club purchased 20 acres of land from Kern Brothers Earthmoving in the early 1980s in Kirwan to develop a new clubhouse and playing fields in the suburb.
On 14 May 1983, the venue was officially named Jack Manski Oval, in honour of Jack Manski, a club official who worked for the club for over 40 years.[2]
The ground was officially opened on 13 August 1984, with Brothers playing University and winning in all four grades.[3]
On 10 September 2014, it was announced that the Townsville Blackhawks were admitted into the Queensland Cup for the 2015 seasons and would play their home games at the venue.[4]
On 14 February 2015, the Blackhawks played their first game at the venue, a 12–24 loss to the North Queensland Cowboys in a pre-season trial.[5] On March 7, they played their first Queensland Cup at the venue, defeating the Mackay Cutters.[6]
In 2017, the venue was upgraded with new playing lights thanks to a state government grant. The new 227 lux lights allowed the venue to host night games.[7]
References
edit- ^ "About Jack Manski Oval - Mendi Townsville & Districts Blackhawks RFLC". Retrieved 10 September 2018.
- ^ "History - Brothers Townsville Junior Rugby League Club - SportsTG". SportsTG. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
- ^ "Originally formed as Brothers Rugby League Club Townsville in 1922 - History - Brothers Leagues Club - Townsville". www.brotherstsv.com.au. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
- ^ "QRL announces Townsville's entry". 10 September 2014. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
- ^ "Cowboys post Blackhawks win". 14 February 2015. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
- ^ "Blackhawks warm up with win". 9 March 2015. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
- ^ "Switching to a New Light at Jack Manski Oval - Mendi Townsville & Districts Blackhawks RFLC". 17 May 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2018.