League bid team goes for Moore

THE Brisbane NRL Expansion Bid adopted a stronger Sunshine Coast flavour yesterday when former Queensland hard man Billy Moore joined the consortium.

THE Brisbane NRL Expansion Bid adopted an even stronger Sunshine Coast flavour yesterday when former Queensland hard man and local legend Billy Moore joined the consortium.

Moore, 39, has been announced as an ambassador for the bid and joins Sunshine Coast Stingrays coach Toutai Kefu as a member of the group.

Kefu has agreed to be a mentor for the indigenous and Polynesian juniors the organisation is hoping to recruit if it is successful in gaining entry to the NRL in 2013.

Bid director Craig Davison said it was a coincidence Moore and Kefu had ties to the Coast, but admitted their presence would be helpful in engaging the local community.

“We've known Billy for a while through his time in Brisbane and other avenues and he's an iconic Queenslander,” Davison said. “It's very good for us to get him on board.

“The Sunshine Coast link is an added bonus, but the main focus for us is what he can do for the club overall in southern Queensland.

“He'll be the face of our bid and we have some promotions coming out and some announcements to make in the next few months. He'll add a real profile to the bid.”

Moore served as Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League chief executive from 2007-09 before moving into a role with corporate hospitality provider Eclipse Hospitality.

The Sunshine Coast has been touted as an attraction for the bid team as the new stadium at Stockland Park will have the capacity to host high-class matches.

Davison said although Moore was giving the bid a profile during its early stages, he would move into a corporate role if the team was successful.

Originally published as League bid team goes for Moore