Mining backing boosts NRL bid

Denis Keeffe

DENIS Keeffe says Central Queensland has “one shot” at winning over NRL boss David Gallop in November and he has just the ammunition to do it.

Just months out from Gallop’s promised tour of the region, the CQ NRL Bid chief executive has revealed his team has corporate backing from two Australian mining giants.

Keeffe has secured handshake agreements with the CEOs of the respective mining companies, whom he preferred not to identify at this stage.

It has also emerged that Keeffe has another weapon in his armoury – a “big” national company wants major sponsorship rights on the team’s jersey.

“I told them don’t expect much change from $2 million and they said that was alright,” said an upbeat Keeffe.

The former Cowboys boss and his bid members have been busy preparing a three to four-page “compelling argument” document to present to Gallop when he arrives in Rockhampton.

“You only have one shot at first impressions. Unless your product is bang on from day one, you’re always playing catch-up.

“He (Gallop) has to walk away saying, ‘You got me’.”

Keeffe said with strong corporate backing, a CQ franchise would not be reliant on bid chairman and construction guru Geoff Murphy being “the Clive Palmer or Russell Crowe”.

“The significant involvement of these companies is really, really encouraging.

“But we would not be in this position if it wasn’t for Geoff’s vision and commitment.”

Gallop has indicated his tour of CQ could be anywhere between three days and a week.

The NRL boss has recently been reported talking up Perth for possible expansion of the competition in 2013. The Central Coast, Adelaide, Papua New Guinea and Ipswich are other contenders.

Perth and Adelaide both hosted one-off NRL fixtures this season – something CQ could not do without an adequate stadium, Keeffe said.

“When I took over at the Cowboys we had a 20,000-seat stadium and it still wasn’t compliant – so tough are the requirements.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and her government have promised to build a stadium in Rockhampton if the NRL awards CQ a licence.

STORY SO FAR

April, 2009: Bid leader Geoff Murphy launches the CQ NRL Bid in Rockhampton.

March, 2010: Queensland Premier Anna Bligh says the NRL would be mad to grant a licence anywhere other than CQ.

April, 2010: Then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd declares himself number one petitioner and promises to attend CQ’s first home game should it be granted a licence.

April, 2010: Denis Keeffe and Geoff Murphy meet with David Gallop in Sydney. Gallop commits to a tour of CQ.

June, 2010: Anna Bligh promises her government would build a 25,000 seat stadium in Rockhampton if the CQ NRL Bid gets the okay from the NRL.