Fans back CQ NRL bid

The Morning Bulletin

LOCAL sports fan Peter McCurley yesterday declared a CQ NRL team would be the “greatest thing ever”.

His passion for the bid has made him determined to get as many people to sign The Morning Bulletin's “Our NRL Dream” petition.

He's made the petition available to his customers at Sports Central, in East Street, and has already received almost 100 signatures.

“I haven't even had to ask people to sign; they are just doing it,” he said yesterday.

“As soon as I read the paper on Saturday I cut it out and put the petition on the counter.

“We got 80 names in one day.”

The CQ NRL bid was announced last week and a team, headed by JM Kelly Group managing director Geoff Murphy, was formed.

Mr Murphy believes the region has a compelling case and says CQ can make the dream a reality.

Morning Bulletin acting editor Darryn Nufer launched an exclusive petition on Saturday, aiming to get as many signatures as possible and direct the response straight to NRL boss David Gallop.

Mr McCurley, owner of Sports Central, said a CQ NRL team would put Rockhampton on the map, bring a lot of money into town and give NRL fans the opportunity to see great players live.

“It will give everyone a chance to see games here without travelling. It'll be good business, and not just for sports stores. People will be able to support a local team while at the same time see their favourite team here.”

Mr McCurley is a big supporter of the Central Comets and a passionate Broncos fan, while his wife Karen loves the Titans.

Sports Central customer Dennis Allsop was only too happy to sign the petition in the store yesterday.

Mr McCurley said Mr Allsop was just one of many customers to show enthusiasm, with many offering their opinion on names and colour schemes.

He said the most common name suggestion was The CQ Bulls and many seemed to like the colour scheme of the CQ NRL Bid logo.

Mr McCurley's own suggestion about a new stadium is to ramp up Browne Park.

“I think council should buy the houses behind Browne Park and build there. They can close the street and expand that way. Then it's close to the highway, food outlets, hotels and the Leagues Club. Everything will be there.”