{{Short description|Sporting venue in Townsville, Queensland}} {{Use Australian English|date=February 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}} {{Infobox stadium | name = Jack Manski Oval | nickname = | logo_image = | image = | image_size = 220px | location = Golf Links Drive, Kirwan, Queensland | coordinates = {{Coord|19|19|6|S|146|42|44|E|display=it}} | broke_ground = | opened = 13 August 1984 | owner = Brothers Leagues Club | operator = Brothers Leagues Club | surface = Grass | construction_cost = | architect = | structural_engineer = | former_names = | tenants = Townsville Blackhawks (2015–present) | seating_capacity = 4,000 | record_attendance = | dimensions = | field_shape = Rectangular }}
'''Jack Manski Oval''' is a sporting venue situated in the suburb of Kirwan in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. Predominantly used as a rugby league ground, it is the home ground of the Townsville Blackhawks, who play in the Queensland Cup. The ground is also used by the Townsville Brothers junior and senior rugby league teams.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blackhawkstsv.com.au/game-day/about-jack-manski-oval/|title=About Jack Manski Oval - Mendi Townsville & Districts Blackhawks RFLC|publisher=|accessdate=10 September 2018|archive-date=10 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910064049/http://blackhawkstsv.com.au/game-day/about-jack-manski-oval/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==History== Originally based at Queens Park and, later, Gill Park, the Townsville Brothers rugby league club purchased 20 acres of land from Kern Brothers Earthmoving in the early 1980s in Kirwan to develop a new clubhouse and playing fields in the suburb.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}
On 14 May 1983, the venue was officially named Jack Manski Oval, in honour of Jack Manski, a club official who worked for the club for over 40 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/club_info.cgi?c=0-2240-23759-0-0&sID=390060|title=History - Brothers Townsville Junior Rugby League Club - SportsTG|website=SportsTG|accessdate=10 September 2018|archive-date=10 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910061028/http://websites.sportstg.com/club_info.cgi?c=0-2240-23759-0-0&sID=390060|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The ground was officially opened on 13 August 1984, with Brothers playing University and winning in all four grades.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brotherstsv.com.au/about-us/history|title=Originally formed as Brothers Rugby League Club Townsville in 1922 - History - Brothers Leagues Club - Townsville|website=www.brotherstsv.com.au|accessdate=10 September 2018}}</ref>
On 10 September 2014, it was announced that the Townsville Blackhawks were admitted into the Queensland Cup for the 2015 seasons and would play their home games at the venue.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2014/09/10/qrl-announces-townsvilles-entry/|title=QRL announces Townsville's entry|date=10 September 2014|publisher=|accessdate=10 September 2018}}</ref>
On 14 February 2015, the Blackhawks played their first game at the venue, a 12–24 loss to the North Queensland Cowboys in a pre-season trial.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2015/02/14/cowboys-post-blackhawks-win/|title=Cowboys post Blackhawks win|date=14 February 2015|publisher=|accessdate=10 September 2018|archive-date=10 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910061218/https://www.nrl.com/news/2015/02/14/cowboys-post-blackhawks-win/|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 7, they played their first Queensland Cup at the venue, defeating the Mackay Cutters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2015/03/09/blackhawks-warm-up-with-win/|title=Blackhawks warm up with win|date=9 March 2015|publisher=|accessdate=10 September 2018|archive-date=10 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910094500/https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2015/03/09/blackhawks-warm-up-with-win/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2017, the venue was upgraded with new playing lights thanks to a state government grant. The new 227 lux lights allowed the venue to host night games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blackhawkstsv.com.au/2017/05/17/see-the-light-at-jack-manski-oval/|title=Switching to a New Light at Jack Manski Oval - Mendi Townsville & Districts Blackhawks RFLC|date=17 May 2017|publisher=|accessdate=10 September 2018|archive-date=10 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910113135/https://blackhawkstsv.com.au/2017/05/17/see-the-light-at-jack-manski-oval/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://blackhawkstsv.com.au/game-day/about-jack-manski-oval/ Townsville Blackhawks website] *[http://www.brotherstsv.com.au/about-us/history Townsville Brothers website] *{{Austadiums|40}}
{{Townsville Blackhawks}}
Category:Rugby league stadiums in Australia Category:1984 establishments in Australia Category:Sports venues completed in 1984 Category:Sports venues in Townsville Category:Townsville Blackhawks