Rabbitohs refute Redfern Oval claims

Rabbitohs Executive Chairman Peter Holmes à Court says that the Club has never demanded exclusive use of the venue.

“We have never asked for barbed wire to keep people out,” Mr Holmes à Court said today.

“We have always embraced the concept of Redfern Oval being a community asset using appropriate protections so that the District’s first grade side can train there.

“Enormous progress has been made recently in Redfern and the re-development of Redfern Oval is well under way. We’re looking forward to the re-development of Redfern Oval concluding in 2008 and to our team using the state-of-the-art facilities in conjunction with the local South Sydney community that our Club is a part of.”

Reports in today’s press note that Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore attended the South Sydney Rabbitohs match against the Sydney Roosters in the last round of the NRL season proper two weeks ago.

Mr Holmes à Court said: “If inviting councillors was an error of judgment, it was my mistake. We invited all councillors as we were just glad there are a few footy fans on the City Council. Furthermore I was determined they did not attend as guests of the Roosters”.