Leichhardt council to allow AFL to be played at Birchgrove Oval

[GAZF]

Absolutely, and its the proper move from Byrne to ask for an audit. They might find that the AFL's definition of Leichardt is as broad as their take on "GWS".

 

[Pistol_Pete]

Good on Byrne for asking for this.
There are nowhere near that amount as we all know.
Were there that amount they'd have their own leagues, teams everywhere etc
That's why he made mention of words to the effect of `in regular organised competition' as opposed to village idiot-ball's `we rammed a plastic AFL ball down their throat so were claiming them in our figures'
Desperate, geniused, victorian spastics.
If the potato famine had have been a bit more harsh this geniused, hybrid, turd of a game would never have left ireland

 

[Brutus]

I'm sick to death of the AFL fudging it's numbers and stupid councils/governments falling for it.

 

[Pistol_Pete]

This was sent to me last week

I'll edit to delete councillor emails

--------------------------------------------

Dear Member,

Balmain DFC urges members to email Councillors immediately (see suggested email below) to express disappointment that your club will be worse off for weekend sporting fields in 2013 despite the re-activation of Glover Road and Balmain Road fields.

Councillors on Tuesday night from 7pm will consider Council's report (ITEM 15) on the new sporting fields - CLICK HERE

The Executive Committee requests members ask Councillors to demand that Council officers adjust the proposed allocations to reflect the needs of Balmain DFC's resident players and parents.

The report fails to provide Balmain DFC, the largest club with residents who live in the LMC, with any additional Weekend allocations.

Unless Councillors re-consider, Balmain DFC - which has 1,940 members including 1,450 juniors will be forced to turn away children and adult players in 2013.

The report overall delivers new allocations to both smaller codes AFL (Birchgrove Oval) and Baseball (Glover Street). It leaves Balmain DFC will less allocations than 2012 despite the club's additional 210 players this year, and projections of a jump to over 2,300 by 2016.

Balmain Road will be shared between Leichhardt Saints and Apia Tigers each weekend. It is noted Apia received an allocation at Balmain Road despite the report showing Apia did not even lodge an expression of interest for either Glover or Balmain Road fields.

WEEKEND ALLOCATIONS
The report proposes all Balmain DFC allocations at Birchgrove on Saturday are moved to the proposed new 2 fields at Glover Street to accommodate AFL at a ground where soccer was first played in the 1890s.

On Sundays, Balmain DFC is to be allocated 9am to 12.00 (6 hours in total) at Glover Street. There is a possibility of an alternative Sunday afternoon (12.00 to 5pm) but this is not guaranteed and Council will not commit to it.

On that basis, Councillors are asked to approve a Report recommendation that means Balmain DFC LOSES Nine hours from the 2012 ground allocations.

All other allocations at Easton and Cohen are maintained.

Balmain DFC also uses Waterfront Drive at Callan Park, Balmain Secondary College and has been forced to take weekend allocations at Wentworth Park. These fields are not under the jurisdiction of Leichhardt Council.

While Balmain DFC acknowledges the argument in the report that there are benefits in Balmain DFC consolidating to the Glover Street (and Waterfront) fields for equipment storage as sensible, it rejects the failure to provide additional weekend allocations to the club.

EXECUTIVE COMMITEE VIEW
Balmain DFC has received no additional allocations despite the urgent needs of our members and dramatic jump in player and team numbers. Balmain DFC has actually lost 3 hours of field allocation on 2012 based on the report's recommendations.

There is the possibility of another 10 hours IF Baseball agree to share 12-5pm on every second Sunday.

Balmain DFC will request Councillors review the report and commit to ensuring additional Weekend allocation for the club. We are concerned that Council is not acknowledging the needs of our 1,940 members - the reason Balmain DFC uses many Council grounds is because we are a large club whose members live locally.

TRAINING - BIRCHGROVE OVAL
The Council report moves ALL weekday training for our junior and senior teams from Birchgrove to Glover Road to make way for AFL.
The Executive Committee is aware this will anger parents of our hundreds of Juniors who live in Balmain & Rozelle. It means parents will be required to travel across Darling Street & Evans Street during peak hour each week night.

There will be an additional 1,000-plus car movements. Some members have pointed out that some Councillors are lobbying against traffic congestion on the White Bay and Rozelle Towers issues. As such, Councillors should consider the impact on families, and the environment from this training allocation move.

EXECUTIVE COMMITEE VIEW ON OVERALL TRAINING ALLOCATIONS
Overall, it is likely the club can accommodate training needs in 2013 under the overall report recommendations. But on current projections there will be a shortfall in 2014 and beyond.

Consolidating training to Glover rather than at Birchgrove has some benefits. It is noted that there are many members who may find it easier to get to Glover Street field than Birchgrove if they live outside the Balmain Peninsula.

The report also suggests new lighting for Waterfront Drive (no time-frame) as a future benefit and this is supported. But it is noted that this idea is unfunded.

The Executive Committee acknowledges the concerns expressed by many Balmain residents about the proposed move from Birchgrove Oval to Glover Street, and acknowledges the high number of parents and junior players affected. On that basis, we accept Balmain DFC will request Council consider keeping at least 3.30pm to 5.30 training at Birchgrove oval for U6s-U11s.

SUMMARY
Balmain DFC appreciates the argument to provide new allocations to smaller sports like AFL and Baseball. However, it is disappointing that smaller codes by sporting activity choice and resident status are set to secure large Weekend allocations immediately new fields are available. Balmain DFC and other clubs have waited for decades for fields in Callan Park to be re-activated. Our campaign for additional fields for the last decade was not supported by many current Councillors and opposed by the Friends of Callan Park. Two Greens Councillors - Deputy Mayor Michelle McKenzie and Daniel Kogoy - in March voted against funding for the Balmain Road field. Members wil recall Balmain DFC secured immediate State Government support in December 2011 to develop Balmain Road for the 2012 season, but this was opposed by Greens Councillors and Independent John Stamolis.

Balmain DFC's preliminary analysis - to be confirmed - shows both Apia and Leichhardt Saints have received significant new Weekend allocations compared to Balmain DFC.

It is also noted that Balmain DFC will make it clear to Councillors that all 2012 arrangements are maintained for 2013 unless both Glover and Balmain Road are completed to schedule including lighting.

The EC has provided the following suggested email for Members to send to Councillors. It is also important that members attend the Tuesday night Council meeting at 7pm (Leichhardt Town Hall) to show support for the club's position.

While some members attended the critical meeting on Balmain Road in February, your club's goal of providing sporting activities for local residents for 2013 and beyond is now at risk and we need a strong showing at the Council meeting.

Please assist your Executive Committee on this important matter.

Yours sincerely,

Brian Frankham, Balmain DFC President on behalf of the Executive Committee.
Enquires: Brian Frankham secretary Glenn Burge

COUNCILLOR EMAILS




SUGGESTED EMAIL

Dear Councillor,

I note the LMC report in response to the EIO process for the Glover and Balmain Road fields.

It is very disappointing that Balmain DFC has not received additional Weekend Oval allocations despite the number of LMC resident members of the club.

And this means the needs of our 1,450 junior players . Balmain DFC will on the current tabled proposal be worse off than in 2012.are not met.

Balmain DFC will be forced to turn away local resident players in 2013 and future years unless Councillors show support for their local residents and increase the allocation to Balmain DFC for weekend games.

Our club is the fastest growing club in the LMC. It should receive ground allocations that reflect the number of residents involved in playing football, and not be penalised for being a large local community based club. Balmain DFC needs at least additional allocations on alternative Sundays at Glover Street.

In addition, the proposed move of Balmain DFC from Birchgrove Oval to Glover Street raises a significant issue. It means over 500 children will need to switch ovals for week night training.

This will add to traffic congestion. An expected 1,000-plus extra cars across local roads each week. This contradicts the current position of many Councillors on local road congestion.

Please review the LMC report and take into account the needs of your local residents. I would recommend that your consider deferring a final decision until the July Council meeting to allow additional time ton consider all options. And Councillors should conduct a post code audit of each sporting code's local resident player base as a major factor in their deliberations.

I urge all Councillors to support additional Weekend allocations for Balmain DFC.

Yours sincerely

(NAME)
BDFC member

 

[High Flyers]

I live in the area and its a load of crap that there are any afl players... NO ONE plays it in the area ever!!

Does anyone know the best way to get in touch with the council to stop this?

 

[El Diablo]

http://www.leichhardt.nsw.gov.au/Contact-Us.html

 

[High Flyers]

http://www.leichhardt.nsw.gov.au/Contact-Us.html

Thanks El D

 

[miguel de cervantes]

''The Green Party Council's plan would see local kids being booted off Birchgrove Oval to make way for senior AFL players who don't come from the local area,'' Byrne said.

If it is proven that the AFL are importing players just to put games on at this particular oval it would certainly reveal some true colours.

 

[Dresden Dan]

They are called Balmain Dockers but train and play at Henson Park http://www.balmaindockers.com.au/

http://australianfootball.com/clubs/info/Balmain/47
The Balmain Football Club was formed in 1903 and was an inaugural member of New South Wales’ first senior football competition.

Balmain was a force during the early years of the Sydney-based New South Wales Australian Football League, reaching the grand final in the competition’s second year, 1904, and contesting the finals in 1905 (fourth) and 1906 (third). The club was again prominent during the first world war when a grand final defeat by Paddington in 1916 was interspersed between third and fourth place finishes in 1915 and 1917. However, at the end of the 1925 season the league was restructured along district lines and Balmain was excluded.

The club did not reform until 1947 when it again competed in the top grade Sydney competition, known at this time as the New South Wales Australian National Football League. However, it struggled, only contesting the finals twice in four decades. On the second of these occasions in 1983 the Tigers as they were nicknamed at the time made it all the way to the grand final, but an all conquering East Sydney side proved too strong, and it was not until the 1990s that Balmain rose to prominence once again.

After a concerted period of success in the Sydney Football Association the side resumed participation in New South Wales football’s senior competition, the Sydney Football League, in 1994, and after struggling initially finally secured a long awaited flag in 1997. A second flag the following year appeared to confirm that the Tigers had ‘arrived’.

With a strong social base, and football currently enjoying an unprecedented boom in Sydney, the future of the club looks rosy.

Nevertheless, it will be anxious to improve on recent finishes of eighth (of eight) in 2003, sixth (of eight) in 2004, eighth (of nine) in 2005, and dead set last in both 2006 and 2007.

In 2007 Balmain became known as the Dockers following the negotiation of a partnership arrangement with AFL club Fremantle.

 

[Brutus]

Balmain Dockers ffs...

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

Good to see it's not only RL fans they are pissing off :lol:

What a complete failure this new GWS thing has been.

 

[st george dragons]

until the NRL play trial games at Birchgrove Oval, or do training schedules / fan days for specific clubs, i really don't see what the issue is.

The NRL have neglected this ground for decades.

But the Balimain Tigers club playing, and trainingg, at Henson Park instead of Leichhardt / Brchgrove, i find that funny!

 

[Pistol_Pete]

The Balmain Cockers have certainly captured the attention and imagination of the sporting public. As a feeder club for the Fremantle cockers AFL FC their crowds are massive, even if they are slightly eclipsed by the over 35s soccer crowds of 26 that feed into nursing homes and the monkey bar.

What a joke of a f**king game. Wow they have some ex Sydney Sodomites AFL Hall of Queer Legend in Troy Luff. He was a legend in the main street of Laverton in 1987. Balmain o35s play against Mark Rudan, Paul Okon, Francis Awaratifie and David Zdrillic (you can imagine what that side are doing to all and sundry).

How long before the AFL press tell us that the next Freddie Fittler has signed for GWS and Lou Richards starts popping viagras like smarties and working himself into a Demetriou like lather ??

 

[Pistol_Pete]

I forgot to add the last time Henson saw crowds on such a scale was when easts played there in 87 and there were more cars than fans, like the world famous Chelsea of the same era

 

[BM1979]

Geez us Rugby League fans get our knickers in a knot very easily.

AFL was being played at Birchgrove oval 5 years before league even existed. Who cares

 

[Pistol_Pete]

Wow, we were sending kids up chimneys and down mines then too. Let's revert to that.
League is not the one that should feel aggrieved at this, it's soccer and my club being moved out to accommodate some sodomites whose team kit is like something you see on a podium at the taxi club at 6am

 

[Brutus]

Wow, we were sending kids up chimneys and down mines then too. Let's revert to that.
League is not the one that should feel aggrieved at this, it's soccer and my club being moved out to accommodate some sodomites whose team kit is like something you see on a podium at the taxi club at 6am

Yeah but league feeling aggrieved sells papers apparently.

 

[RL The greatest game]

http://www.leichhardt.nsw.gov.au/Contact-Us.html

I would suggest all of us contact the leichardt council over this matter and let them know our feelings. We just can't do nothing and let this pass.

 

[El Diablo]

Ten News Sydney have a story called "battle won" about this coming up

said that RL came out the winner

details soon

 

[El Diablo]

turned out to be a 5 second story

mainly mentioned the AFL had been asked to back up it's claim about the 1600 players

they'll be stuffed. they tried to con a senate committee using bs numbers only to be told forget Auskick

they ended up having no idea how many played AFL :lol:

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary...rl=rrat_ctte/afl_tasmania/report/c02.htm#anc6

2.53 The committee requested that the AFL provide statistics on participation levels in Western Sydney, the Gold Coast and Tasmania, including the proportion of participants made up of the Auskick program. Unfortunately, the AFL only provided the committee with figures for the entire NSW/ACT region, rather than Western Sydney alone. They are included in Appendix 3. These statistics are not helpful in assessing meaningful participation in the code in that area as they include far Western NSW, the Riverina, Canberra and the far South Coast of NSW, where Australian Rules football enjoys strong support and well established club competitions exist.

2.54 Information on the public record, attributed to the New South Wales Minister for Sport suggests that actual participation in Western Sydney is fewer than 3,000.[47] In contrast Tasmanian participation is about 24,000 or nearly five per cent of the Tasmanian population. In the absence of more authoritative figures the committee is inclined to accept that participation in Western Sydney is, as a proportion of its population, relatively insignificant.