The annual Harvey Norman All Stars game and the State Indigenous Rugby League Carnivals were key agenda items at the Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council (ARLIC) meeting in Brisbane yesterday.
The ARLIC endorsed a move of the 2015 Harvey Norman All Stars match to Friday 13th February , 2015.
Chairperson, Linda Burney stated: "Whilst it may not be ideal to move away from the usual Saturday evening timeslot, it is fitting that we are able to have the game played on the anniversary of the Government's 2009 Apology to the Stolen Generation.
"This will also result in the popular Murri v Koori Interstate Challenge being played on the Thursday evening between Walgett Aboriginal Connection and Kulpiyam.
"Following discussions with the NRL yesterday, an announcement of the venue for 2015 Harvey Norman All Stars can be expected in the coming days".
ARLIC Deputy Chairperson Darren Godwell said the Council has further agreed to investigate options to support Rugby League's premier community-based Indigenous Rugby League Carnivals.
"We will work to support the profile and conduct of those very important celebrations of community and rugby league," he said.
"The community carnivals are becoming more professional, attracting broader participation and receiving significant media coverage.
"It is no longer acceptable for them to be disrupted.
"We will work with the respective State Leagues and organising bodies to ensure that players, teams or communities are upholding a higher standard of management and conduct.
"We saw an unfortunate situation this year at the Queensland Murri Carnival where a suspended player taking the field resulted in the title of carnival champions taken away from the Southern Dingoes.
"We have other evidence of suspended players participating in the NSW Koori Knockout and it is a major issue we, as a community and the game, need to deal with".
