Moreton Bay Regional Council has announced a three-year sponsorship deal for Queensland Rugby League’s annual Murri Rugby League Carnival at Redcliffe.
With council’s support, the four day carnival was held at the Redcliffe Dolphins Rugby League Club last year, and attracted around 1500 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander football players and 10,000 spectators to the Moreton Bay Region.
Organised by the Arthur Beetson Foundation, the carnival will be held at the same venue this year, from 1-4 October.
Moreton Bay Regional Council will contribute $30,000 per year to the 2015, 2016 and 2017 football carnivals, as well as provide grandstands and waste services.
Mayor Allan Sutherland said the festival was a great example of the significant events the region could continue to attract with the proposed new 10,000 seat stadium at Redcliffe.
“The proposal includes a three way partnership between the Redcliffe Dolphins, Moreton Bay Regional Council and the Federal Government to get this project underway,” Mayor Sutherland said.
“A boutique stadium at Redcliffe could provide ongoing opportunities for the local community to attend major sporting carnivals like this, other festivals and events – and economic benefit for tourism and accommodation providers and local businesses.”
Division 5 Councillor James Houghton said he was pleased to continue supporting the Murri Rugby League Carnival.
“This is a really great program. In order to take part in the carnival, players must maintain at least a 90% attendance rate at school or college and some schools have achieved 100% attendance rates as a result,” Cr Houghton said.
“The event is drug, alcohol and smoke free and each team’s participation is dependent on the good behaviour of every member of the team. The carnival provides a really positive social outlet, and I’m proud to see such a great event hosted right here in Redcliffe.”
The Murri Rugby League carnival aims to raise the representation of indigenous players in the NRL and provide structure in a drug and alcohol free environment for players to develop and progress to representative football.
For more information on the Murri Rugby League Carnival can be found at http://www.murrirugbyleague.com/
Registrations for this year's carnival are open - details HERE.
