Magazine - North Ipswich Reserve Safe

By Editor in Rugby on 29th Mar 2010 10:30

City Council says that not only is North Ipswich Reserve safe, but it will be the best ground in the state’s rugby league competition.

In the lead-up to the Ipswich Jet’s round one game in the Queensland Cup, questions were raised about the reserve’s surface. Injury fears were raised that the cricket pitch laid on the redeveloped ground to host high-profile cricket games was 2cm below the field. Concerns were aired that a player could suffer a serious knee or ankle injury negotiating the descent.

However, the council gave the Jets a guarantee that the field would be ready for the March 13 season opener. Despite workers having trouble gaining access to the ground, it was ready for kick-off and the Jets prevailed 32-16 over Easts Tigers. Council parks committee chairman David Morrison declared the safety issue was resolved two nights before the first game. “We were at the season launch last Thursday night and had an inspection with Jets hierarchy,” Cr Morrison said.

Cheryl Bromage, who was also part of the pow-wow, said the sloped drop from the surrounding field to the pitch wasn’t as bad as it seemed. “If there was a perpendicular drop it would be worse,” Cr Morrison said. “The rest of the ground is kikuyu and the pitch is couch so visually it stands out but not safety-wise. “I haven’t heard any complaints after the first game.”

“The Ipswich Rugby League did their best, but we have qualified horticulturalists so even when winter comes along the field will still look good,” he said.

“I think we will deliver the best field in the Queensland Cup.”

Source & More: www.qt.com.au

Read more articles in Rugby, by Editor or from March 2010.