Storm lock in nine NYC games at Sunshine Coast Stadium

The Melbourne Storm NYC Thunderbolts will be a huge part of the Sunshine Coast this year, with the club to play nine home games in the region.

The local community will have the perfect chance to see some of rugby league's most exciting young talent in action at Sunshine Coast Stadium in 2016.

As well as playing their home games primarily on the Sunshine Coast, the NYC team will continue to play its away games as a curtain-raiser to the club’s first grade matches.

The Thunderbolts will open their season on Sunday, March 6 at 2.30pm at Sunshine Coast Stadium against St George Illawarra Dragons.

They will also host the Warriors on Anzac Day long weekend, 2015 NYC premiers Penrith, and the Brisbane Broncos.

Storm fans in Melbourne will also get to see their NYC team in action at AAMI Park in Round 5, prior to Storm’s clash with the Newcastle.

This year marks the first in a long-term partnership between Storm and the Sunshine Coast.

The club has established its Storm Academy at the region's state-of-the-art sporting precinct that includes seven fields, swimming pools and a gymnasium.

There is a clear vision at Melbourne Storm to provide the local talent with a clear pathway for into the NRL system. Current Storm stars Jesse Bromwich, Kevin Proctor and Cameron Munster are all products of the Club's NYC program.

The Thunderbolts will be coached by Eric Smith who was appointed to the position in October, after being an assistant coach with the team in 2015.

Storm believes the Sunshine Coast is the ideal place to grow and develop young talent from a local level into the under-20s, the Queensland Cup and ultimately its NRL squad.

That belief is why the club is extremely proud to have the NYC Thunderbolts call the Sunshine Coast home in 2016.

Storm will also continue to maintain strong links with their Queensland feeder teams Brisbane Easts and Sunshine Coast Falcons.

Sunshine Coast locals will be treated to a rugby league carnival of entertainment on February 13. The Thunderbolts will play a three-way trial game against Easts and the Falcons from 2.30pm before Storm take the field against Wests Tigers at 5pm.

STORM NYC MATCHES AT SUNSHINE COAST STADIUM

Sunday, March 6: v St George Illawarra Dragons (2.30pm)*

Saturday, April 9: v Canterbury Bulldogs (3pm)

Sunday, April 24: v NZ Warriors (3pm)*

Saturday, June 4: v Penrith Panthers (2.45pm)

Saturday, June 25: v Wests Tigers (2.45pm)

Saturday, July 23: v Sydney Roosters (2.45pm)*

Saturday, August 6: v South Sydney Rabbitohs (2.45pm)

Saturday, August 27: v Brisbane Broncos (2.45pm)

Saturday, September 3: v Cronulla Sharks (2.45pm)

*denotes double-header with Sunshine Coast Falcons