Back to Footy Country: taking the NRL and NRLW on the road for 2024

Australia’s rural and regional centres have produced some of the nation’s greatest sporting talent. Now, that talent is coming home: the NRL and NRLW Premierships will play 10 games in Footy Country for the 2024 season.
Amanda Hutton · 03 April 2024 · 4 minute read

What is the NRL Telstra Premiership Footy Country Series?

In 2023, we announced our commitment to Footy Country. We’ve backed the big game for over 20 years, and wanted to give back by nurturing grassroots players in rural and regional areas to inspire the next generation.

As part of the Footy Country initiative, we brought the stars of the NRL to towns all over the country. To build on that success, we’re heading back to Footy Country with the NRL to host big games in small towns all over the nation, forming the very first NRL Telstra Premiership Footy Country Series.

Big games in your backyard

 

 

This year's series kicks off on Sunday 7 April with the North Queensland Cowboys hosting the Gold Coast Titans in Townsville. But that's just the beginning.

We've got 10 themed NRL and NRLW games lined up, spanning across nine regional locations.

Each stop on our tour will feature community activities at local clubs and schools, including Junior Rugby League clinics, player appearances, and trophy displays. And thanks to our Telstra Footy Packs, local clubs and schools will receive essential football equipment to help nurture the next generation of footy stars.

Local clubs and schools will have the chance to get up close and personal with NRL and NRLW heroes on game day. Junior players will even form the guard of honour as teams run out for kick-off. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we know these kids will always remember.

For us, this game is all about belonging, connection, and community. We've seen firsthand the positive impact that initiatives like these can have on kids' physical and mental wellbeing, and we're incredibly excited to help kick off the series with the NRL.

When and where are the Footy Country Series games in 2024?

There are eight NRL games and two NRLW games being played in regional areas in 2024 as part of the Footy Country Series.

Here are the fixtures. Also make sure to check out our interactive map to see when a game is coming to your neck of the woods.

By Amanda Hutton

Group Executive, Telstra Business

Amanda has more than 20 years experience in the telecommunications industry gained through senior roles leading service, customer and product teams for globally recognised telecommunications brands.

As Telstra's Group Executive, Telstra Business, Amanda leads a team of experts responsible for providing the right connectivity, technology and digitisation solutions to support innovation and growth for Australia's small and medium sized businesses.  

Prior to leading Telstra Business, Amanda was Telstra Retail & Regional Executive where she was accountable for building Telstra into a world class retailer, delivering growth in Telstra's Small Business Technology Centres and supporting customers and stakeholders in regional Australia. 

Since joining Telstra, she has also managed Telstra's 9 million consumer customers who collectively generated more than AUD$11 billion in annual revenues and led teams responsible for creating brilliant customer experiences by building simplified products and seamless digital journeys.

Amanda has a Bachelor of Commerce/LLB from the University of New South Wales. She lives in Sydney with her family and is a keen bushwalker and sports fan.