WYNNUM Manly Seagulls are working with other Queensland Cup clubs to organise a game on Stradbroke Island next season after the annual match was left off the initial 2020 fixture list released last month.
The match, which has been held at Ron Stark Oval since 2014, was pulled from the Intrust Super Cup fixtures at the last minute because Tweed Heads Seagulls were unable to participate.
Wynnum Manly chief executive Hanan Laban said they were negotiating with other clubs to secure a game on Stradbroke Island during the regular season but it would not be played as part of Indigenous round like normal.
He said the club would consider taking the match to another part of the Redlands if clubs were unwilling to travel to Stradbroke.
"The good thing about the draw is it's flexible so we can still make arrangements from now until the start of the season to try and organise another fixture," Laban said.
"It won't be in Indigenous round this year like we wanted it to be. The original draft of the draw had Stradbroke Island on it but they had to change it at the last minute.
"Now we are just trying to work out when we can play that game over there because the Redlands is very important to us and we want to make an annual fixture there.
"It is a matter of trying to negotiate with other clubs to get it across the line."
Wynnum Manly have been forced to take another two fixtures elsewhere this season while their home ground, Kougari Oval at Manly West, undergoes renovations.
Matches will be played in the Seagulls' new catchment area of Maryborough and at Iona College in round four and eight respectively.
"The chance of Wynnum Manly not having their home ground available for almost six months is probably not going to happen for at least another 20 years," Laban said.
"We are only playing eight home games at Kougari this year which is a big change because obviously we normally play 11.
"We are playing those two other fixtures at Maryborough and Iona and are still trying to negotiate a third fixture in the Redlands.
"Renovations are coming along well and we are on track for the opening game on May 30 against Northern Pride.
"The field's down now. The boys won't be able to train on it for a couple of months but everything is on time."
Laban said he hoped the match would go ahead so Wynnum Manly could continue to promote the Redlands and support the Islands.
The club would consider taking the match elsewhere in the Redlands if fellow clubs did not agree to play at Stradbroke, meaning Pinklands Sporting Complex - home to Wynnum feeder club Redlands Parrots - could be an option.
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