Aboriginal Nations Super League - More oval access problems

ABORIGINAL NATIONS SUPER LEAGUE

The Nations League

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Media Release

Moree NSW.

May 3rd, 2008.

The
Nations League suspended round 4 of the competition to consider recent
developments in respect of ovals being available to be played on,
Chairman Michael Anderson said.

"It seems that the Moree Plains Shire like Walgett are digging in and are creating new obstacles for the Nations League."

In
the last week Anderson said that the Moree Plains Shire have instructed
the Nations League organisers not to permit any vehicle into the only
oval that is available to them.

"Our problem with this is that
we have elders, and ill people who come to the ground and we cannot ask
them to get out of their cars and sit in the cold. They would not do
this to their own old and ill people so why us?"

The Moree Plain
Shire has said that they had heard a rumour that some alcohol was seen
at a recent game. And Anderson said that this was correct but he
personally approached the person concerned.

That person was asked
to leave the ground at which time the man involved apologised and
tipped the remaining beer out on the ground and put the bottle in the
trash can nearby.

On another occasion Anderson said some
children had come to the weekend organisers and informed them that a
vehicle had come into the ground with alcohol in its boot and the
people concerned were asked to take the vehicle from the ground and
when they refused they were advised that the police would be called and
that they would be escorted out of the ground.

The people then
left the field after the police were called. "We are doing everything
possible to make the game a spectacle for the people and we certainly
don't want anyone spoiling a nice day."

"I do not know what else
they want from us. We are being scrutinised like no other and there are
more rules applying to us than any other Rugby League competition in
this country," Anderson said.

Anderson said that white clubs in every other competition sell alcohol at their games.

"They
do this because it is the sale of alcohol that puts money into their
coffers, but in our case we seek to always promote alcohol-free events
no matter what they are.

"In our case we have a policy of
having every team being responsible for their own supporters and if we
see or witness something untoward we speak to one of the club's
officials and it is their responsibility to deal with the matter."

The
committee was also informed that the Moree Plains Shire have decided
that the Nations League must pay $600 for the remaining year for this
one oval if they want to continue to play our competition, Anderson
said.

"We are not getting any government funding like the
Barwon Darling Competition, where all accounts are being paid from
taxpayers' money.

"All we asked is that the Moree Plains Shire makes a sponsorship arrangement in kind by permitting us to use the oval free.

"Surely
the Moree Plains Shire wants the Aboriginal Community to be active in a
positive way over the weekend - or do they just want them to sit around
and look at each other wondering what they can do?"

Round 4 is set for next week, Saturday May 10, in Moree if the oval is available and we will have three games.
The
current league ladder of the Nations League is: Mungindi Grasshoppers
6, Toomelah Tigers 4, Kamilaroi Warriors 4, Moree Boomerangs 2, Mehi
Mission Jets 2 and Moree United 0.

Michael Anderson can be contacted at 02 68296355 landline, 04272 92 492 mobile, 02 68296375 fax, ngurampaa@bigpond.com.au