RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS:
- Flood delayed, but Gold Coast to host ‘bigger and better’ National Finals Rodeo;
- Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre to host major Coast event;
- Top 90 competitors in the country to compete over four days and nights.
AFTER a three-month delay brought about by Queensland’s January flood emegency, Australia’s top 90 rodeo stars will soon be getting ready to saddle up and compete for Australian championships on the Gold Coast.
The Australian Professional Rodeo Association (APRA) National Finals Rodeo, sponsored by Jupiters, will be held indoors for the fifth consecutive year at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre at Broadbeach over four huge days and nights from Thursday 7th to Sunday 10th April 2011.
The spectacular multi-million dollar event – Australia’s largest rodeo - is the grand finale of the APRA season and sees the cowboys and cowgirls competing in six events - Bareback Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Barrel Racing, Saddle Bronc Riding, Team Roping and Bull Riding.
To get to the Coast arena, competitors spent 2010 travelling thousands of kilometers across the country to qualify at regional events.
It will run at the same time and in the same suburb as the 2011 Australian Surf Life Saving Titles – a not-so-accidental scheduling occurrence welcome by organisers of both events.
“Surf life saving during the day and rodeo at night – Broadbeach will literally be jumping that week,” said National Finals Rodeo coordinator John Osborne.
“And the flood delay only intensified our determination and that of our competitors to stage a bigger and better event than ever in April.
“We have massive support from our sponsors and the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast Tourism, Queensland Tourism and Broadbeach Alliance and we can’t thank them enough for coming with us as we moved the event further into the year,” he said.
Mr Osborne said the year’s rodeo circuit highlight is uniquely Gold Coast.
“There are the cowboys, cowgirls, the bucking stock, the bulls, the clowns and the barrels, but there are also huge TV screens, plenty of glamour, colour and much more,” Mr Osborne said.
“Our ticket prices are very family-friendly.
“Adults tickets start at $19 children’s tickets at $12 and family tickets start at only $50,” he said.
Mr Osborne said there are also three, four and five session passes and tickets are available now at www.nfrgoldcoast.com.au, www.ticketek.com or at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre ticket office.
Rodeo supporters include RACV Royal Pines Resort, Ford, Australian Outback Spectacular, Tyrells Wines and Fourex Gold, Coast Tourism, Broadbeach Alliance & Tourism Queensland
ENDS
For further information please contact:
John Osborne APRA 0429 002 093
Mick Ellison Fresh Brew Event Coordinators 0414 755 305
Wayne Hickson HicksonMedia 07 5591 2556 0407 028 917
Broadbeach Media