StoreLocal Hospital Cup hits free-to-air television on 9Gem this Saturday

Wed, Aug 3, 2022, 8:21 AM
QU
by Queensland Rugby Media Unit
UQ captain Pat Morrey being interviewed following the Red Heavies' win over Brothers.
UQ captain Pat Morrey being interviewed following the Red Heavies' win over Brothers.

Queensland’s Premier Club Rugby competition, the StoreLocal Hospital Cup, will feature on free-to-air television over the next seven weeks on 9Gem.

One match per week over the remaining four regular season rounds will be broadcast, as well as the finals series, beginning with the Round 15 clash between University of Queensland and Easts Tigers, which will kick off at 3:10pm this Saturday, 6 August.

Reigning Premiers University of Queensland head into the match in third place on the ladder, after knocking first placed Brothers into second in Round 14, while Easts sit two points outside of the top four and can’t afford a loss if they’re to keep their finals hopes alive.

“It’s really good having games on free-to-air, it allows us to play in front of a wider audience,” said UQ captain Pat Morrey.

“I’m from Far North Queensland, I know there is a large Rugby community up there who tune into Stan Sport every week, but there will hopefully be more people around Queensland who will tune in to watch the games and see the quality of Rugby that is being played and the talent on show.

“It’s a massive game at home for us against Easts, they’ll be raring to go, and we’ll be ready for them.”

Easts captain Tom Milosevic said: “These games at the back end of the season are really crucial for us, so to have them broadcast free-to-air on 9Gem is pretty special.”

This will be the second season where Hospital Cup matches have been broadcast on 9Gem, with Rounds 15 and 16, as well as the 2021 finals series, being aired last year.

“We’re into our second year of working with Nine Entertainment Company (NEC) and the introduction of Club Rugby to both Stan Sport and 9Gem has been great for the Hospital Cup,” said QRU General Manager of Community Rugby Gaven Head.

“To have all four games every round available on the Stan platform alongside Super Rugby and Test Rugby provides great access for Rugby fans to our competition, and then to have matches broadcast on 9Gem, we hope to attract new fans from a wider audience.

“Queensland Premier Rugby has been a proven talent pool for professional Rugby. Over 90% of the current Queensland Reds squad having come through the Queensland pathway system, with many of those players being identified whilst plying their trade in the Hospital Cup. Fans now have the opportunity to see players emerging from the club Rugby ranks before they go on to higher honours.”

The clash between University and Easts kicks off at 3:10pm and will be available on both 9Gem and the Stan Sport platform.

With six teams still in mix to make the top-four, matches aired over the following four weeks will all have an impact on finals calculations.

The following matches will be broadcast on 9Gem:

Round 15 – University of Queensland vs Easts | Saturday Aug 6
Round 16 – Bond University vs University of Queensland | Saturday Aug 13
Round 17 – Brothers vs Bond University | Saturday Aug 20
Round 18 – GPS vs University of Queensland | Saturday Aug 27
Major Semi-Final | Saturday Sep 3
Preliminary Final | Sunday Sep 10
Grand Final | Sunday Sep 17

To access the Hospital Cup draw, visit: https://australia.rugby/competitions/fixtures-results?id=Fxqvsi5YkbEtXD3nc

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