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Government Grant Centre of Excellence

2012....Sharks Year

First Grade
Messages
5,385

2016_dragons_shield_modern.jpeg

CLUB NEWS

Dragons comment on Centre of Excellence funding
Author
www.dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Wed 20 Dec 2017, 11:00 AM

The St George Illawarra Dragons would like to make comment regarding the New South Wales Government's collective $50 million funding of NRL Centres of Excellence.

The Dragons were aware of the State Government's intention to provide some funding to support the development of Centre of Excellence facilities for NRL clubs.

This process was communicated by the Government in late 2016, and the Dragons made an initial application in the first round of submissions due by the end of March 2017.


Through our discussions with Government representatives during this process it became apparent that the funds being allocated were not to the level that would support the requirements of all the clubs who were likely to apply.

There were also specific requirements about project readiness and cooperative funding that were to be considered.

The Dragons chose not to move forward with an application in the final round of applications and advised Government representatives accordingly at the time.

This has not in any way diminished our aspiration to develop a world class training, administration and community facility for the Dragons. Our plans are advanced and we have been working closely with two specific partners on a planning process over the last 12 months.

The funds being made available by the State Government, and shared between multiple clubs, would not provide us with sufficient capital to develop the facility we require which is why the Dragons continue to pursue alternate options.

It is also noted that the Dragons were successful in receiving $60 million in Government funding over recent years for our WIN Stadium and Jubilee Oval facilities.
Translation.......We're shit broke after being poorly managed by Emperor Doust and his cronies for a couple of decades. Dousty's offer of a carton of Crownies for the tradies on completion of the centre of excellence did not meet the 50/50 criteria. Seriously.....a club like yours with such a proud history deserves so much better.
 

Coffs dragon

Bench
Messages
4,247
Don't we already have a facility - Centre Of Paint Excellence (COPE)
That's why Doust has claimed the Dragons will manage to cope!
 

JDHD

Juniors
Messages
1,082
Translation.......We're shit broke after being poorly managed by Emperor Doust and his cronies for a couple of decades. Dousty's offer of a carton of Crownies for the tradies on completion of the centre of excellence did not meet the 50/50 criteria. Seriously.....a club like yours with such a proud history deserves so much better.

PEOPLE EVEN CRONULLA FANS ARE PITYING US. THIS IS DEFCON 1.
 

FlameThrower

Bench
Messages
3,557
The media release has only confused this further. From what I can make out, if club needed $10M - the govt would grant $5M. The catch was the Govt wanted project timelines and proper scope before handing over the cash, plus we needed that $5M upfront...Fair enough!!
So unless these 2 partners are forking out most of the project cost, ( as we don't have the money right now anyway) then I can only determine that's why we did not request the grant, as we needed 50/50 split and we could not cover that basic requirement. The Press release would also suggest they have been bombarded with questions from the fans?
On face value looks like a missed opportunity and it's not everyday of the week the Govt will fund you dollar for dollar...for a key and long term project like this?
 

Dragonsteve2

Juniors
Messages
542
I have great difficulty in understanding the actions of the NSW Government. As fans we are constantly told that Rugby League is now a business. So much of what I enjoyed about the game in my youth has been given away because of this business theme. If it is a business and not a recreational activity why is the government spending $50 million on a number of businesses(clubs) when funds are so short for grass roots sports?

What value did the government get for the money spent at Win Stadium and Jubilee when no sooner had the grounds been upgraded than the mighty Doust implemented the RGRV strategy which limited the number of games played at each?
 

SaintPauli

Juniors
Messages
1,179
Ok so over the past few seasons we have all heard from dragons management particularly Peter Doust that the dragons are a junior development club and a pathways club etc etc etc. Recently we have just heard the government has splurged 50 million to several sydney clubs ( including the roosters like they need it ! )to develop nrl centers of excellence with the dragons being excluded. The dragons put out a statement saying they have not accepted the govt. Handout as they have a better source of money's elsewhere. However the club says no details can be disclosed for now ! This is the same old delay as club sale to a private owner crap. SO JUST HOW LONG DO WE NEED TO WAIT FOR SOME GOOD NEWS?
 

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