Redcliffe in Queensland, Australia, has come alive with the coming of a new rugby team, the Dolphins to the National Rugby League (NRL).
Redcliffe’s residents-hardened sports fans and non-sports fans alike, have united behind the team, which has a 76-year history in the area as a grass roots club.
The town has struggled economically in the past, but the arrival of the NRL team is changing that.
Already, there is the buzz around town, with local businesses experiencing an increase in sales, and interest in the town growing.
The team has already attracted over 20,000 paying members, surpassing many existing teams that have been around for decades.
Local sponsor, Moreton Bay Regional Council, has pledged AUD 400,000 in sponsorship over two years.
The team plays at Dolphin Park Redcliffe’s new 10,000-seat boutique stadium.