Broncos painting honours captains
May 9, 2005
The Brisbane Broncos' six past and present captains will be honoured in a huge painting at Suncorp Stadium.
The artwork, "Captains at the Cauldron",, has been commissioned by the National Rugby League club's major sponsor. Ergon Energy, which today announced it will back the Broncos for another three seasons.
Brisbane-based artist Jason Jackson will start work next week on the mural featuring Wally Lewis, Gene Miles, Allan Langer, Kevin Walters, Gorden Tallis and current skipper Darren Lockyer.
Jackson expects to finish the 4.3m by 12.2m artwork which will cover a wall outside the northern end of the stadium near a statue of Lewis in about a month.
Broncos managing director Bruno Cullen said the new sponsorship deal makes regional power supplier Ergon Energy the club's longest serving major sponsor.
"This is another three year association, with a two year-option, which could well grow in to a 10-year relationship something very unique in rugby league and sport in this country in general," he said.
"With a coach (Wayne Bennett) who has been here for 18 years and only six club captains in the history of the Broncos, stability is the kind of strength on which we pride ourselves. In fact three of these captains are life members."
The Broncos and Ergon Energy have also committed to running an ongoing series of player visits and junior development workshops throughout regional Queensland.
Ergon Energy chief executive Tony Bellas said the Broncos have become an important business partner to the company since the sponsorship began in 2000.
"Independent research has shown that the Brisbane Broncos is the most recognised team in the NRL and our association with them is helping us to be one of Australias most nationally competitive energy companies," he said.
