More than 20,000 spectators and a record number of 53 teams will have even more to cheer on at the annual Arthur Beetson Foundation Deadly Choices Murri Rugby League Carnival at Dolphin Oval Redcliffe from Wednesday, September 20 to September 23.
For the first time in the Carnival’s seven-year history, a Murri Carnival Legends game will take place at 5pm on Thursday, September 21, featuring former greats of NRL.
The Legends game has come about by a partnership with Institute of Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH), Deadly Choices, Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC), Qld Government and the Arthur Beetson Foundation.
More than 30 former NRL greats will line up for the Arthur Beetson All Stars against the Brisbane Broncos Legends, joining the more than 1300 Aboriginal Torres & Strait Islander players who are set to take part in the carnival across the three days.
Players representing Arthur Beetson All Stars include Gary Belcher, Steve Renouf, Preston Campbell, and Nathan Blacklock; while the Broncos Old Boys will include Julian O’Neil, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Smith, Cliff Lyons, Petero Civoniceva and Chris Walker.
Attorney-General and Member for Redcliffe Yvette D’Ath said it was an honour to once again hold the event at Dolphin Oval in Redcliffe.
“Thousands of Queenslanders, including participants, spectators, sport development officers and talent scouts are expected to attend the event being held from September 20-23,” Mrs D’Ath said.
“Dolphin Stadium is perfectly placed to host such an important event and I look forward to seeing members of the Indigenous community from around the state converge on the Peninsula.”
Launching the Carnival and the Legends match yesterday (September 5) Brad Beetson, son of the late Arthur Beetson and Board Member of the Arthur Beetson Foundation, said his father would have been proud to see so many people taking part.
“Dad was absolutely passionate about young Australians, and particularly young Indigenous Australians, achieving better health, education and welfare outcomes,” he said.
“He would be proud that many of the NRL stars he had so much to do with have come out to play in the Legends game to support the Carnival and he would have been so pleased to see the huge number of teams travelling from all over Queensland to compete in the Under 15s, Men’s and Women’s competitions.”
Beetson was joined at the launch by League Legend and Deadly Choices Ambassador Steve Renouf, who still holds the record for the most tries for the Brisbane Broncos (146).
Renouf said the carnival was a key event for raising the representation of Indigenous players in the NRL.
“I am particularly excited and honoured to playing for the Arthur Beetson All Stars, named after the legend who did so much for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander young people, against many of my former Broncos team-mates.”
The Under 15s, Men’s and Women’s Carnival will run from Wednesday, September 20 to Saturday, September 23. The Murri Carnival Legends game will be held at 5pm Thursday, September 21.
Further information is available at www.murrirugbyleague.com.au
Arthur Beetson All Stars
Gary Belcher
Nathan Blacklock
Nathan Merritt
Steve Renouf
Clinton Toopi
Cliff Lyons
Preston Campbell
Mark Tookey
PJ Marsh
Tom Learoyd-Lahrs
Neville Costigan
Scott Sattler
Adrian Vowles
Brenton Bowen
Shane Drahm
Graham Lyons
Brad Beetson
Mark Beetson
Scott Beeston
Kristian Beetson
Coach: Vern Daisy
Brisbane Broncos Old Boys
Darren Smith
Chris Walker
Paul Stephenson
Jharal Yow Yeh
Julian O’Neill
Allan Langer
Ben Hannant
John Driscoll
Petero Civoniceva
Tonie Caroll
John Te Reo
Kevin Campion
Ben Czislowski
Rob Tanielu
James Durkin
Michael Ryan
Coach: TBA
