Townsville Fire take centre stage in Council’s championship celebration
Date published: 24 March 2023
Council is pulling out all the stops to celebrate newly crowned WNBL champions the Townsville Fire, with a championship celebration in the CBD at Cotters Market from 9am this Sunday.
The Fire claimed a fourth WNBL championship on Wednesday night by taking down the Southside Flyers in Melbourne, capping their stellar season with a 2-0 grand final clean sweep.
Council is calling on the local basketball fraternity and all Townsville communities to throw their support behind this ticket tape presentation and parade for the Fire and show their appreciation for the team’s amazing achievements this season.
Council are long time supporters and sponsors of the Fire and the team will be honoured with a parade featuring Fire players and coaches, the Townsville Brass Band, Lola the Fire’s mascot, the heritage fire brigade truck and Defence and Emergency Services vehicles.
Mayor Jenny Hill said the parade and celebration were a worthy reward for the team’s hard work and determination all season long and praised the team as fantastic ambassadors for the city.
“The Fire really are one of the great success stories in Australian sport and they have flown the flag for Townsville at the national level for years,” she said.
“For a regional club to enjoy such sustained success is a testament to all the players, coaches and management at the club as well as all the Townsville residents who support the team all year round.
“This is the team’s first championship in five years and to end the season with a 16-game winning streak on the way to the title is just a phenomenal achievement.
“It’s also a wonderful chance for all Fire fans young and old to meet the team and see the trophy up close. Townsville couldn’t ask for better role models and Council are delighted to support this wonderful club both on and off the floor.”
Council’s long-term goal is to become a city that supports both grass roots sports as well as elite athletes and coaches through high performance training centres.
Cr Hill said having a national championship winning team like the Fire founded and based in Townsville meant the city was already a step ahead in creating pathways for women’s sports.
The convoy will depart Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre at 9am and make its way from Stanley Street along Flinders Street through to Flinders Square.
There will then be a special presentation to the team from Council before fans can meet the players and get photos and autographs from the 2022/23 WNBL champions.
The presentation will take place at the stage in Flinders Street (next to Pedlar Project).
