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A letter to Members from CEO Grant Mayer
16/11/2007
By Grant Mayer - CEO - Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
http://manlyseaeagles.com.au/news.asp?tx=39&newsid=2714
For almost three years, the Sea Eagles have been passively lobbying government officials for the funds needed to upgrade Brookvale Oval. As merely a hirer of this council owned and operated ground, we have chosen to fight and lobby to improve a community asset.
Half way through this current election however, it became blatantly obvious that whilst moral support would continue, neither the Liberal Government or the Labour Opposition would have the intestinal fortitude to offer the ground the money it needed to remain a practical option for an NRL team.
We needed to create a stir and it needed to be a headline grabbing stir. I think it would be fair to say - objective achieved.
Let me state this for the record the clubs number one priority is to stay at Brookvale Oval. Our last and least preferred option is to relocate. The $8 million carrot on offer has been on the table for five years and will stay there until the NRL decide otherwise.
Again, a relocation of this proud club whether it be to the SFS, Nth Sydney Oval, Telstra Stadium or the Central Coast is the last option we would consider. Anybody who honestly believes the Board and Management of this club would walk away from our history without putting up the mightiest of fights, please note that the pigs are fueled and ready to fly.
I have read with amazement that people believe that Brookie is more than adequate for a first grade NRL team. I appreciate the emotional attachment but please, lets not be blinded by memories of yesteryear. The ground has a number of qualities we would retain in a redevelopment, but if you truly believe that you are being serviced professionally when you enter Brookvale Oval, you are in the minority. It needs work and needs to comply with the most basic OH & S laws.
The other issue I need to address is the attitude that the Club should simply make more money or should force the private owners to invest. Simply, the ground is zoned non commercial and therefore cannot be developed privately. If we fail to generate government funds, lobbying the Council to rezone is the next step. This will take months.
Revenue raising how great it would be to simply knock on doors on the peninsula and be handed bags of money. Sponsorship is a tough game and becoming tougher. The poor state of Brookvale Oval does not help. Over the next month we will be announcing a new sleeve sponsor for the Club. A three year deal will multi national brand. A coup and great fit. That said, they initially didnt want corporate hospitality as they believed the facilities at Brookvale Oval werent of an acceptable standard. A harsh reality. They love the club but needed re-assurance about the venue.
For all those people that want to give me an absolute earful and tell me that the Oval is fine in its current condition, I will be Brookie on Wednesday the 21st of November at 7pm fighting to keep this club where it belongs. I hope you can join me even if it is to give me a piece of your mind.
Regards
Grant Mayer
CEO
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Brookie Forever Rally - Wednesday 21st November - Brookvale Oval
14/11/2007
By Manly Sea Eagles
With uncertainty surrounding a Government commitment of funding for Brookvale Oval, news surfaced today that the NRL has offered the club an 8 million dollar incentive to permanently move to the Central Coast.
CEO Grant Mayer today confirmed,
There is an attractive financial commitment for any club to permanently move to the Central Coast. This option is our last option. The owners, board and entire management team want to remain at Brookvale long term, but the reality is Brookvale Oval cannot support the needs of the club or the community in its current state.
Brookvale Oval no longer complies with occupational health and safety requirements, nor does it adequately cater for disabled patrons. Due to the lack of undercover seating and corporate facilities it also leaves the club in a position where they cannot attract enough backing to compete in the NRL and it leaves us with little alternative but to investigate partial or total relocation. As a community asset owned by Warringah Council, Brookvale Oval cannot even attract private investment due to zoning restrictions.
Brookvale is the priority for both the Delmege and Penn families. We want Manly to be in the NRL, we want Manly to be competitive in the NRL, we want Manly to win the NRL but for too many years now other NRL clubs have received millions in Government funding while Brookvale Oval crumbles before our very eyes, Chairman and owner Scott Penn explained.
Rally
7pm Wednesday 21st November
Brookvale Oval
Download the A3 Poster
The Coach, Players, Owners and Directors of the Sea Eagles will address the crowd and we need all Manly fans and Rugby League fans in general to attend. We had 3,000 people at our fan day last year we are asking for an even bigger turnout on Wednesday night.
We have 10 days to make our mark before the election.
Its time for Manly fans to show their hands, its time for Manly fans to show our Government representatives that the Northern Beaches Community deserves a fair go!
16/11/2007
By Grant Mayer - CEO - Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
http://manlyseaeagles.com.au/news.asp?tx=39&newsid=2714
For almost three years, the Sea Eagles have been passively lobbying government officials for the funds needed to upgrade Brookvale Oval. As merely a hirer of this council owned and operated ground, we have chosen to fight and lobby to improve a community asset.
Half way through this current election however, it became blatantly obvious that whilst moral support would continue, neither the Liberal Government or the Labour Opposition would have the intestinal fortitude to offer the ground the money it needed to remain a practical option for an NRL team.
We needed to create a stir and it needed to be a headline grabbing stir. I think it would be fair to say - objective achieved.
Let me state this for the record the clubs number one priority is to stay at Brookvale Oval. Our last and least preferred option is to relocate. The $8 million carrot on offer has been on the table for five years and will stay there until the NRL decide otherwise.
Again, a relocation of this proud club whether it be to the SFS, Nth Sydney Oval, Telstra Stadium or the Central Coast is the last option we would consider. Anybody who honestly believes the Board and Management of this club would walk away from our history without putting up the mightiest of fights, please note that the pigs are fueled and ready to fly.
I have read with amazement that people believe that Brookie is more than adequate for a first grade NRL team. I appreciate the emotional attachment but please, lets not be blinded by memories of yesteryear. The ground has a number of qualities we would retain in a redevelopment, but if you truly believe that you are being serviced professionally when you enter Brookvale Oval, you are in the minority. It needs work and needs to comply with the most basic OH & S laws.
The other issue I need to address is the attitude that the Club should simply make more money or should force the private owners to invest. Simply, the ground is zoned non commercial and therefore cannot be developed privately. If we fail to generate government funds, lobbying the Council to rezone is the next step. This will take months.
Revenue raising how great it would be to simply knock on doors on the peninsula and be handed bags of money. Sponsorship is a tough game and becoming tougher. The poor state of Brookvale Oval does not help. Over the next month we will be announcing a new sleeve sponsor for the Club. A three year deal will multi national brand. A coup and great fit. That said, they initially didnt want corporate hospitality as they believed the facilities at Brookvale Oval werent of an acceptable standard. A harsh reality. They love the club but needed re-assurance about the venue.
For all those people that want to give me an absolute earful and tell me that the Oval is fine in its current condition, I will be Brookie on Wednesday the 21st of November at 7pm fighting to keep this club where it belongs. I hope you can join me even if it is to give me a piece of your mind.
Regards
Grant Mayer
CEO
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Brookie Forever Rally - Wednesday 21st November - Brookvale Oval
14/11/2007
By Manly Sea Eagles
With uncertainty surrounding a Government commitment of funding for Brookvale Oval, news surfaced today that the NRL has offered the club an 8 million dollar incentive to permanently move to the Central Coast.
CEO Grant Mayer today confirmed,
There is an attractive financial commitment for any club to permanently move to the Central Coast. This option is our last option. The owners, board and entire management team want to remain at Brookvale long term, but the reality is Brookvale Oval cannot support the needs of the club or the community in its current state.
Brookvale Oval no longer complies with occupational health and safety requirements, nor does it adequately cater for disabled patrons. Due to the lack of undercover seating and corporate facilities it also leaves the club in a position where they cannot attract enough backing to compete in the NRL and it leaves us with little alternative but to investigate partial or total relocation. As a community asset owned by Warringah Council, Brookvale Oval cannot even attract private investment due to zoning restrictions.
Brookvale is the priority for both the Delmege and Penn families. We want Manly to be in the NRL, we want Manly to be competitive in the NRL, we want Manly to win the NRL but for too many years now other NRL clubs have received millions in Government funding while Brookvale Oval crumbles before our very eyes, Chairman and owner Scott Penn explained.
Leichhardt Oval - $11 million in campaign promises for only 3 games per year!
The Sea Eagles pay in excess of $400,000 for the use of a substandard facility. Whilst other clubs train and play for free on venues like the SFS and Telstra Stadium.
The Sea Eagles pay in excess of $400,000 for the use of a substandard facility. Whilst other clubs train and play for free on venues like the SFS and Telstra Stadium.
We are the best team in NSW with the worst facilities and the least funding.
Brookvale Oval is rapidly becoming a black eye on the Peninsula.
Weve had enough! We now call on our fans to support us and rally to keep this proud club where it belongs.
Brookvale Oval is rapidly becoming a black eye on the Peninsula.
Weve had enough! We now call on our fans to support us and rally to keep this proud club where it belongs.
Rally
7pm Wednesday 21st November
Brookvale Oval
Download the A3 Poster
Bring your Family and Friends dress in Manly colours and bring signs of support for your club.The Coach, Players, Owners and Directors of the Sea Eagles will address the crowd and we need all Manly fans and Rugby League fans in general to attend. We had 3,000 people at our fan day last year we are asking for an even bigger turnout on Wednesday night.
We have 10 days to make our mark before the election.
Its time for Manly fans to show their hands, its time for Manly fans to show our Government representatives that the Northern Beaches Community deserves a fair go!
