Marley Brown Oval

Marley Brown Oval
Map
Location1 Harvey Road, Clinton, QLD (Gladstone)
Coordinates23°52′42″S 151°13′20″E / 23.8782927°S 151.2220835°E / -23.8782927; 151.2220835
Capacity6,000 total    (1,000 seated)
SurfaceGrass

Marley Brown Oval is a playing field located in the suburb of Clinton in the regional Queensland city of Gladstone.[1] The field was named in honour of local rugby league identity Marley Brown who had died a year before the venue opened, with the first rugby league game played at Marley Brown Oval in 1976.[1]

The Gladstone Leagues Club located at the ground opened in 1988,[1] and a 1000-seat grandstand was constructed in 1995.[1]

In 2017, it was announced Marley Brown Oval would benefit from state government funding, as part of the Works 4 Queensland program. The funding will be used to expand the amenities, make it more inclusive for female rugby league players and upgrade the venue to an NRL standard.[2]

Marley Brown Oval was chosen to host its first NRL game in April 2018.[3] The decision to host an NRL game in Gladstone came about due to the Gold Coast Titans needing to temporarily relocate their home games, including the Round 5 match against the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, due to the 2018 Commonwealth Games being held on the Gold Coast.[3]

Queensland Country hosted Brisbane City at Marley Brown Oval for the National Rugby Championship annual City-Country match in September 2019.[4]

  1. ^ a b c d Harris, Matt Marley Brown Oval: from 'rack and ruin' to the NRL, The Observer, News Corp Australia, 21 October 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  2. ^ Works 4 Queensland brings $6 million in funding, Gladstone News, 29 September 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  3. ^ a b Fallon, Holly Marley Brown Oval is set to host big NRL game in April, Hit CQ, Southern Cross Austereo. 6 February 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  4. ^ "National Rugby Championship clash to take place at Marley Brown Oval". gladstone.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 29 August 2019.