Queensland Murri Carnival postponed

Organisers of next week’s Queensland Murri Carnival at Redcliffe have postponed the event due to COVID-19 concerns, with plans to run the popular rugby league competition later in the year.

In an email sent to event partners, Queensland Murri Carnival organising committee representative Ian Lacey explained the difficult decision.

“After careful consideration of the Public Health Advice from the Chief Health Officer in Queensland, the Arthur Beetson Foundation and Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) have made the decision to postpone the QMC that was scheduled to be held January 18-23, 2021 at Redcliffe Dolphins Sporting Complex,” the email says.

“The good news is that the QMC will return to its original format in the 2021 September/October school holidays with the venue and dates to be confirmed in the very near future.”

Tough decision

“This was a very difficult decision to make. The decision was made purely on the health and safety of our community members that attend the event and the potential risks associated with the new UK strain of COVID-19,” Mr Lacey explains.

“Further to this, the fact we would be hosting an event within a region that is still under heightened restrictions following a case of community transition of COVID-19 was a critical consideration.”

About Queensland Murri Carnival

The event, in its 10^th year, will be a blockbuster six days of rugby league including all underage divisions when it is held later this year.

It will feature teenage boys in the Under 13, 15 and 17 grades, plus Under 15 and 17 girls.

The carnival is about much more than rugby league, with a focus on health, vocation and education. It is an event free of cigarettes, drugs, alcohol and sugar and all players have to complete a health check as a requirement to participate. Junior players must also have a 90 per cent school attendance rate.