TAMBORINE Mountain’s Bushrats rugby league club have been left out in the cold after Tamborine Mountain AH&I Society refused to allow the club to train on the grounds this week.
The dispute follows the expiration of the Bushrats’ lease last year and their decision to move to Tamborine Mountain Sports Association in 2027.
Bushrats President, Maxine Milner, said the show society cited insurance concerns as the reason why they are no longer able to train at the showgrounds, however players and supporters are covered under the Bushrats’ public liability insurance.
The AH&I Society disputed this claim in a media statement from President Vanessa Bull released today.
“Tamborine Mountain AH&I Society is committed to supporting community sport and has always welcomed the participation of the Bushrats Junior Rugby League Club’s use of our grounds,” the statement said.
“Without a formal licence in place, the Tamborine Mountain AH&I Society is unacceptably exposed to public liability risks and associated responsibilities.
“As a result and with regret, we have had to revoke access to our grounds by the Bushrats until the necessary documentation is completed.”
Ms Milner said an interim agreement was drawn up and signed by both organisations in February 2026, which would expire once a new licence to occupy was signed.
The new licence, which was sent to the Bushrats in May 2026, has been the subject of dispute, with the club unhappy with several clauses, including liquor licencing, number of people allowed on the grounds for Bushrats’ events and dress and behaviour standards for those attending.
“It says we need to let them know in advance if we have more than 300 people, but we often don’t know until game day how many people attend.
“It would be an estimate on the day – we don’t have the volunteers to count everyone who comes onto the grounds,” Ms Milner said.
In her statement Ms Bull said the society was promised that the licence would be signed and returned some weeks ago, but this had not happened.
“The society has agreed to allow the Bushrats to play their upcoming home games on the grounds this weekend,” Ms Bull said.
“As a further goodwill gesture, we are wearing this increased public liability risk for the Bushrats to use the grounds for their upcoming home game on July 18 so they are not inconvenienced or embarrassed at short notice.”
“We want to emphasise that this decision is not a reflection of our commitment to community sport or to the players and families involved.
“Immediate access to the grounds will be restored once the signed licence is received and all necessary arrangements are in place.”
She added that the society remains committed to working constructively with the Bushrats Junior Rugby League Club and supporting the ongoing development of local sport.
Short term measures
Yesterday, Gold Coast Titans players Adam Christensen and Tony Francis attended the club’s training to meet players from Under 6s to U17s, and training was moved to Geissman oval to accommodate the meet and greet.
“We had to change the date several times due to the weather and other factors,” said Ms Milner.
“I wasn’t going to have the kids miss out again – I had to find somewhere they could train.”
“Geissman oval isn’t ideal. The showgrounds is a safe ground, the grounds are well maintained for training and games and there are changerooms for the players to use, but we had to make do this time.”
With only five weeks left of the season Ms Milner expressed concern about the remaining home games of the season.
“We have some of the men’s team who are retiring and if we can’t find an alternative for those games, they will have to forfeit.”
“It is not the way those guys would want to finish their football careers.”
Ms Milner said a request from the Bushrats for a meeting with the show society to resolve the situation has gone unanswered.
“At the end of the day it’s just about the kids. They are the ones that are missing out on training, games and the important socialisation and fitness that comes with playing rugby league.”
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