Talking Footy

End nears for suburban NRL grounds

STRUGGLING NRL clubs have been dealt a severe blow by the State Government today with the release of a stadium strategy that rules out upgrades of traditional old suburban grounds.

Instead Sports Minister Graham Annesley has announced money will be spent to upgrade facilities at Sydney’s major stadiums and government-run venues like Hunter Stadium and Parramatta Stadium.

The government is adopting a similar policy to their Victorian counterparts to enable the state to compete with Melbourne for major events.

Melbourne based AFL clubs gave up their home grounds years ago to use the MCG or Etihad Stadium. The A-League and the NRL use AAMI.

Hopes of upgrading Brookvale Oval, Leichhardt Oval, Penrith or Cronulla – the venues most in need of a cash injection – have been dashed.

"There’s no point spending money on having seven or eight 30,000-seat stadiums across the suburbs," said a government source.

Rather than rebuild the suburban venues, the government is more open to plans to put a roof over ANZ Stadium or Allianz Stadium.

ANZ Stadium comes back under the control of the government in 2032 when the current lease expires.

Manly, in particular, have been lobbying the state and federal governments for years to fund an upgrade of Brookvale Oval.
The government will also announce an agreement with the Parramatta Eels to play another five seasons at Parramatta Stadium.

Annesley will meet with the NRL clubs, other codes, and stadium officials today to reveal the strategy.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6524122584

Xman wrote:

Problem is with so few fans going to games why would they bother upgrading stadiums? Theyll never get a return.

Xman wrote:

Problem is with so few fans going to games why would they bother upgrading stadiums? Theyll never get a return.

Beaussie wrote:

Xman wrote:

Problem is with so few fans going to games why would they bother upgrading stadiums? Theyll never get a return.

Good point and no doubt the government is fully aware of that fact. Where to now for Penrith, Manly, Cronulla etc, etc? Hmm, more mergers on the cards and more disillusioned fans no doubt. Only have themselves to blame though.

eelofwest wrote:

Xman wrote:

Problem is with so few fans going to games why would they bother upgrading stadiums? Theyll never get a return.

U mean like the Port Adelaide Birds 4 million loss making efforts........

Xman wrote:

eelofwest wrote:

Xman wrote:

Problem is with so few fans going to games why would they bother upgrading stadiums? Theyll never get a return.

U mean like the Port Adelaide Birds 4 million loss making efforts........

The SANFL own that stadium, and make a mint out of the crows and port. That's actually the powers main issue, greedy owners. Plus their crowd average, despite being near bottom for many years, is well over the average NRL crowd

eelofwest wrote:

Beaussie wrote:

Xman wrote:

Problem is with so few fans going to games why would they bother upgrading stadiums? Theyll never get a return.

Good point and no doubt the government is fully aware of that fact. Where to now for Penrith, Manly, Cronulla etc, etc? Hmm, more mergers on the cards and more disillusioned fans no doubt. Only have themselves to blame though.

The AFL has already done this in Victoria with the MCG and Etihad..................wow what a hypocrite of the highest order............its called Governments cutting budgets you simpleton.....

eelofwest wrote:

Xman wrote:

eelofwest wrote:

U mean like the Port Adelaide Birds 4 million loss making efforts........

The SANFL own that stadium, and make a mint out of the crows and port. That's actually the powers main issue, greedy owners. Plus their crowd average, despite being near bottom for many years, is well over the average NRL crowd

But but butting again i see......................

eelofwest wrote:

Yawn this is news...................ah Beassie posting every story under the sun.....bad thread is bad....

Xman wrote:

Problem is with so few fans going to games why would they bother upgrading stadiums? Theyll never get a return.

Raiderdave wrote:

Xman wrote:

Problem is with so few fans going to games why would they bother upgrading stadiums? Theyll never get a return.

scared ..... as our average rises to over 20K ..... & the VFL's drops below 30K
the days of VFL fans proclaiming

:

Raiderdave wrote:

eelofwest wrote:

Yawn this is news...................ah Beassie posting every story under the sun.....bad thread is bad....

hes lost it

called out as a gutless germ by myself yesterday
hes now posting utter rubbish in some desperate attempt to make the NRL look like its in crisis


this is the future of our game
more & more games in bigger stadia ... equals larger attendances & a growing average in unison with an ever growing membership base
they'll be several Sydney sides with over 30K members by 2017
there'd be no room for them in small suburban grounds ....

our strategic plan essentially alludes to this
no news here