The first telecast match from the redeveloped Suncorp Stadium will be between
Brisbane Broncos and the Newcastle Knights on Sunday, June 1, the Deputy Premier
and Minister for Sport, Mr Terry Mackenroth, announced today.
Mr Mackenroth said he had made personal representations to make sure the match
was on Sunday instead of Friday night as Channel 9 had originally suggested.
"I want to make sure Queenslanders have the chance to enjoy the occasion of the
opening of this world class stadium," Mr Mackenroth said.
"I rang Channel 9 executives in Sydney this morning to put our case to them.
"If it had been played on a Friday night people would have had to rush to the game
after work and wouldn't have had time to look around the stadium and enjoy all it has
to offer.
"By playing the match on Sunday we can make it a real family day and open the gates
in the morning so people can come early and have a look at the stadium and enjoy the
pre-match entertainment without having to rush around.
"To their credit Channel 9 agreed with this common sense approach and the match
will now definitely be played and telecast on a Sunday."