Melbourne Storm today launched its NYC Thunderbolts jersey for the upcoming season at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Produced by the Club’s apparel partner STAR, the jersey features local Sunshine Coast businesses who have thrown their support behind the Thunderbolts as sponsors in 2016.
As a proud member of the Queensland community for over 100 years, Butler McDermott Lawyers has jumped on board as the front of jersey sponsor while the back of the jersey will feature Sunshine Coast based construction company Vantage Homes.
Sunshine Coast Council will proudly be on the lower back of the home jersey while the away jersey will include the Sunshine Coast Airport.
Thunderbolts players Josh Kerr and Lachlan Timm will be on hand along with Head Coach Eric Smith to launch the home and away playing strip.
Sunshine Coast’s own SEA FM has also come onboard as the Storm Academy’s media partner with players from both the Thunderbolts and NRL side to be heard on-air during the 2016 season.
Today’s announcement comes as Melbourne Storm hosts the Wests Tigers in a trial match on Saturday – the first time in seven years an NRL match has been played on the Sunshine Coast.
Locals will be treated to an action packed day of rugby league with the Thunderbolts taking part in a round-robin match-up trial against Storm’s feeder teams Easts Tigers and the Sunshine Coast Falcons from 2.30pm. The NRL trial between Storm and Wests Tigers then kicks-off at 5.15pm.
Saturday will give locals an exciting taste of what is to come in 2016 with the Thunderbolts to host nine home games in the region this season.
Storm is proud to have established already strong ties with the Sunshine Coast community and locals will get the chance to meet the players at a number of public activities.
On Friday Billy Slater will host the Billy’s Buddies clinic, giving nearly 300 kids the chance to learn off the superstar fullback. He will be joined by superstar teammates Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Kevin Proctor, Blake Green, Dale Finucane, Tohu Harris and Marika Koroibete.
An open training session will then follow at 4.30pm where fans will be able to get a first hand look at the team before getting the chance to meet them during a 45-minute signing session after training.
The NYC Thunderbolts team will boast a wealth of local talent from the Sunshine Coast area. This is in line with Storm’s vision to provide emerging youngsters in the region with a clear pathway into the NRL system.
Last August the Club announced the formation of the Storm Academy, to be based at the state-of-the-art facilities at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
