Cairns may play host to an A-League soccer match later this year. The match between the Brisbane Roar and Wellington Phoenix on December 14 will be played at a regional venue.

Cairns is in the running to host the game, as is a venue nominated by the Wellington club.

Council has provided its support by offering in-kind assistance to the value of $20,000 to Far North Queensland Soccer Zone Inc to stage the proposed event.

“We see this as another excellent opportunity to put Cairns on the map as a Far Northern sporting hub,” Mayor Val Schier said.

“As well as providing quality sporting entertainment for our residents and encouraging more children to take up sport, the match has the potential to market Cairns to a broad television audience.

“Far North Queensland Soccer Zone Inc has shown excellent leadership and we, as a Council, are pleased to be able to put our support behind this proposal.”

The in-kind assistance would include venue hire of Barlow Park and associated costs, such as rubbish collection, cleaning, temporary fencing and electrical event requirements.