Post by arh21980 on Feb 18, 2010 0:47:47 GMT 10
Livermore questions indigenous team concept as Preston dreams of Test
BRAD WALTER AND GREG PRICHARD
February 17, 2010
Post-game gift ... Darren Lockyer with Preston Campbell Photo: Getty Images
Queensland officials have questioned the purpose of an indigenous team as Preston Campbell, the driving force behind last Saturday's night's All Stars match, revealed plans for the concept to go international.
Despite the overwhelming success of the event, which raised $2 million for NRL-backed community projects and attracted more than 1.3 million television viewers, QRL boss Ross Livermore said players should aspire to represent their state or country.
"It is my opinion and the QRL's opinion that we should support the under-16s indigenous NSW-versus-Queensland game,'' Livermore told Rugby League Week. ''Aside from that, players of all backgrounds should strive to represent NSW, Queensland, Australia or their overseas country. That is our position."
Livermore is out of step with ARL chief executive Geoff Carr, who told the Herald this week his organisation supported the match.
The criticism also comes as Campbell prepares to lobby for the indigenous team to play against a full Test side, with New Zealand his preference.
''Those guys have got a proud history as well and I reckon they would really warm to it,'' Campbell said. ''But I'm sure the indigenous boys would love to play against any of the top nations, apart from Australia - the Kiwis, Great Britain, France or PNG. I know it's a pretty crowded schedule these days, but maybe there's a way of fitting in a game like this in the next couple of years.''
Told of Campbell's hopes, Manly forward George Rose said: ''That would be unbelievable. It was great to be involved last week and I'd do anything to be a part of that team again.''
ARL Indigenous Council chairman William ''Smiley'' Johnstone said the code had shown the way for all sports in indigenous participation and reconciliation by staging the All Stars game.
"From the ARL appointment of Ricky Walford as its indigenous rugby league manager to the formation of the ARL Indigenous Council to advise the game on indigenous matters, rugby league has been taking significant steps for some time,'' Johnstone said.
Meanwhile, Livermore denied officials attending the QRL's annual conference on the Gold Coast had boycotted the All Stars match.
"We originally were going to buy 400 tickets to it for all our delegates," he said. "But then we realised the times clashed. One of our directors, Greg Sutherland, was at the game - so I don't know how you can say we boycotted it."
BRAD WALTER AND GREG PRICHARD
February 17, 2010
Post-game gift ... Darren Lockyer with Preston Campbell Photo: Getty Images
Queensland officials have questioned the purpose of an indigenous team as Preston Campbell, the driving force behind last Saturday's night's All Stars match, revealed plans for the concept to go international.
Despite the overwhelming success of the event, which raised $2 million for NRL-backed community projects and attracted more than 1.3 million television viewers, QRL boss Ross Livermore said players should aspire to represent their state or country.
"It is my opinion and the QRL's opinion that we should support the under-16s indigenous NSW-versus-Queensland game,'' Livermore told Rugby League Week. ''Aside from that, players of all backgrounds should strive to represent NSW, Queensland, Australia or their overseas country. That is our position."
Livermore is out of step with ARL chief executive Geoff Carr, who told the Herald this week his organisation supported the match.
The criticism also comes as Campbell prepares to lobby for the indigenous team to play against a full Test side, with New Zealand his preference.
''Those guys have got a proud history as well and I reckon they would really warm to it,'' Campbell said. ''But I'm sure the indigenous boys would love to play against any of the top nations, apart from Australia - the Kiwis, Great Britain, France or PNG. I know it's a pretty crowded schedule these days, but maybe there's a way of fitting in a game like this in the next couple of years.''
Told of Campbell's hopes, Manly forward George Rose said: ''That would be unbelievable. It was great to be involved last week and I'd do anything to be a part of that team again.''
ARL Indigenous Council chairman William ''Smiley'' Johnstone said the code had shown the way for all sports in indigenous participation and reconciliation by staging the All Stars game.
"From the ARL appointment of Ricky Walford as its indigenous rugby league manager to the formation of the ARL Indigenous Council to advise the game on indigenous matters, rugby league has been taking significant steps for some time,'' Johnstone said.
Meanwhile, Livermore denied officials attending the QRL's annual conference on the Gold Coast had boycotted the All Stars match.
"We originally were going to buy 400 tickets to it for all our delegates," he said. "But then we realised the times clashed. One of our directors, Greg Sutherland, was at the game - so I don't know how you can say we boycotted it."
