Bundaberg Region To Benefit From CQ-Based NRL

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THE Bundaberg region could expect to host an annual pre-season NRL game and regular coaching clinics for local juniors, if a Central Queensland-based NRL side is established.

That was the message today from leading Rockhampton businessman and CQ NRL Bid Team chairman Geoff Murphy, addressing Bundaberg’s civic and business leaders and the local rugby league fraternity at the bid team’s Bundaberg Regional Launch.

“Whilst the team would be headquartered in Rockhampton, I can assure the good people of Bundaberg that we would commit to playing an annual pre-season game at Salter Oval,” Mr Murphy said before members of the bid team were introduced at the Old Bundy Tavern.

“A CQ-based NRL side would also commit to staging regular coaching clinics, not just in Bundaberg but also in outlying centres such as Monto, Gayndah and Childers.”

Mr Murphy said the local area was being well represented on the bid team by Bundaberg businessman Peter Hamilton, a former Wide Bay and Queensland Residents player, and urged locals to consider the formation of a community advisory committee.

“Peter holds this region close to his heart, as well as the game of rugby league. Perhaps some of you will put your hand up and join Peter on a local body to support the work of the actual bid team,” he said at the launch, following on from similar events in Mackay and Emerald over the past couple of months, with a function planned for Gladstone in late August.

Mr Murphy also suggested a CQ-based NRL side would prove a hit with talented local juniors.

“This is about giving local kids here in Bundaberg and the Wide Bay another opportunity to play big-time rugby league, without the need for those youngsters to relocate to a capital city, well away from family and friends,” he said.

Mr Hamilton said that family ties often deterred gifted local juniors from heading south.

“I know myself that I was never keen on packing my bags for the big smoke. I was just happy to play my football locally and all these years later, there are still youngsters who are reluctant to go away to the city, away from familiar surroundings,” he said.

“By having a CQ-based NRL team, serving the Bundaberg region, young footballers with potential could see an opportunity to play professional footy just up the road in an environment they could relate to….unlike our big cities down south.”

Mr Murphy also used the launch to pay tribute to Bundaberg’s passion for rugby league.

“This region has a tremendous history in league with some very famous battles at Salter Oval involving touring sides and of course, teams vying for the 47th Battalion,” he said. “Some famous local names too - like Mick Bolewski, Noel Hazzard, Col Weiss, Noel Gallagher, and of course, Mal Meninga, born here in Bundaberg….played his first-ever match at Monto.”

Mr Murphy said outlying centres also had a role to play in CQ’s push for NRL inclusion.

“From Bargara to Biggenden and Monto to Mundubbera, I encourage the people of the Bundaberg region to get behind us,” he said, in what was almost a call to arms.

“We’re on a mission…to deliver a CQ-based NRL team. That’s our goal and as far as I’m concerned, nothing will stop us from getting there. It can be done, it shall be done.”

Source: http://www.cqnrlbid.com.au/2009/07/bundaberg-region-to-benefit-from-cq-based-nrl-team/#more-80