Signs lock out field of dreams

KEEBRA Park High School has been denied the opportunity to play the national schoolboys semi-final at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium because of concerns raised about alcohol signage at the ground.

Keebra Park was scheduled to play Sydney’s Endeavour Sports High in the GIO Cup semi-final at Suncorp on Friday week as a curtain-raiser to the Broncos-Storm NRL match. But in a move that appears to be a case of political correctness gone mad, the clash has been moved to a ground at Ipswich.

Bundaberg Rum has been a longtime sponsor of Friday night football, which is televised by Channel 9, which also holds the broadcast rights to the GIO Cup.

The Bulletin understands a complaint was made about a conflict with schoolboys playing at Suncorp Stadium, where the alcohol signage and field markings would be displayed prominently.

The GIO Cup match will now be played before the Queensland Cup clash between Ipswich and Redcliffe on Sunday, August 19.

ARL Commission spokesman John Brady said the venue was changed to avoid any confusion between NRL and schoolboys sponsorship.

‘‘We were aware of a possible advertising issue relating to schoolboys matches,’’ Brady said. ‘‘It has nothing to do with sponsorships of the GIO Cup but the ground advertising associated with the NRL. Rather than risk any suggestion of confusion, we’ve moved it.’’

Keebra Park played Townsville’s Ignatius Park College at Dairy Farmers Stadium last Saturday before the Fox Sports-televised North Queensland-Manly NRL clash.

National schoolboys finals have been held as NRL curtain-raisers for many years, giving the youngsters an opportunity to play on the same field as their heroes.

It is now likely

the GIO Cup grand final, to be hosted in Sydney, will have to be played on a Saturday or Sunday if it is to be contested at an NRL ground. The weekend timeslot would not conflict with alcohol sponsorship but it would affect club football commitments.

‘‘The GIO Cup is in no way associated with NRL sponsors and scheduling but has given kids the chance to play at an NRL venue in the past,’’ Brady said. ‘‘To risk any confusion, we’ve aligned games with the (Queensland) Cup to avoid that issue.’’

Kee b r a P a r k Hi g h S c h o o l , Queensland Rugby League and NSW Rugby League o f f i c i a l s declined to comment.