Queensland Rugby League and SEN team up to bring the Hostplus Cup live to rugby league fans in 2022
Ahead of this weekend’s season opener of the Hostplus Cup, Sports Entertainment Network and Queensland Rugby League announced today that they had partnered together to bring Queensland Rugby League fans Hostplus Cup games live on SEN in 2022.
The Hostplus Cup is the premier men’s rugby league competition in Queensland and is the platform for many budding rugby league players and coaches to launch into their NRL careers.
The 2022 season will be the 27th year of the league's existence, which now consists of 14 teams, including one team from Papua New Guinea who will base themselves in Queensland.
The quest to win the QRL premiership will begin on Saturday 19 March and consists of 20 home and away rounds plus finals.
Fans will tune into SENQ on DAB+ in Brisbane; on 1620am SEN Gold Coast, and nationally on the SEN app to hear Hostplus Cup games in 2022.
SEN’s QRL programming will be led by experienced NRL and rugby league commentator Mark Braybrook, with former Queensland State of Origin representatives Gary Belcher and Scott Sattler to provide expert analysis.
SENQ has committed to broadcasting a minimum of one Hostplus Cup QRL match per round and air a weekly one-hour Hostplus QRL cup show every Wednesday from 5-6pm EDT (4-5 pm QLD time) starting from March 16. The program will expose the state league’s brightest stars and hot topics.
Chief Executive Officer at Sports Entertainment Network Craig Hutchison said he was thrilled the network is covering the illustrious Hostplus Cup.
“The Hostplus Cup competition is ingrained in the fabric of Queensland sporting culture and the state-based league is as popular as ever. I’m very proud that our organisation will be delivering Queenslanders the local rugby league content they’ve been screaming out for.
“The Hostplus Cup competition brings so much opportunity to local league fans.
“And at SEN we look forward to working with the QRL and Hostplus to deliver for the fans. As Hostplus themselves remind us – more local Queensland content, that’s a plus!”
QRL Chief Executive Officer Rohan Sawyer said the partnership would generate additional exposure for Queensland’s premier men’s competition.
“The Hostplus Cup is going from strength to strength each year, and a partnership with the largest syndicator of sports radio content across Australia will only further enhance the standing of this competition,” Sawyer said.
"It's great to see additional commercial interest in broadcasting these games because a partner like SEN brings instant credibility for its work in covering national sports like the NRL, AFL, and cricket.
“I’m extremely excited about the opportunity to enjoy match-day coverage, as well as the weekly show that will provide even more content for fans of our great game to enjoy.”
Round 1 of the QRL Hostplus Cup is as follows:
• Tweed Seagulls V Brisbane Tigers
• Mackay Cutters V PNG Hunters
• Ipswich Jets V Northern Pride
• Redcliffe Dolphins V Sunshine Coast Falcons
• Wynnum Manly Seagulls V Burleigh Bears
• Souths Logan Magpies V Central Queensland Capras
• Townsville Blackhawks V Norths Devils
SEN’s coverage of the QRL’s Hostplus Cup will begin on Saturday March 19th on SEN Gold Coast 1620 or SENQ via the SEN app.
SEN is the largest syndicator of sports radio content across Australia. The business owns and operates 51 radio stations across Australia and New Zealand, including 1116 SEN Melbourne, 1170 SEN Sydney, 1629 SEN SA in Adelaide, as well as 15 stations under its racing brand SENTrack. It also owns a newspaper, magazine, and talent management business.