sydneysharkbrisbane68
Bench
- Messages
- 4,591
CRONULLA-Sutherland Leagues Club yesterday threw itself open to amalgamation in a move that could signal deeply troubled waters for the cash-strapped Sharks.
While Sharks chairman Damian Irvine last night played down the shock move to publicly advertise for partners, club industry sources were left deeply concerned for the future of the NRL's shakiest franchise.
Sharks officials earlier this week contacted ClubsNSW, which yesterday invited its member organisations to provide Cronulla with "expressions of interest" about a "possible amalgamation".
Cronulla had planned to tell its 18,000 members on Monday, but The Daily Telegraph discovered the development after obtaining the ClubsNSW circular from a rival NRL club official.
"ClubsNSW has been notified by the Cronulla-Sutherland Leagues Club Ltd that it is seeking expressions of interest from registered clubs in the same region with a view to exploring the possibility of an amalgamation," the circular read.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
"The seeking of expressions of interest from registered clubs at this time is consistent with the club's plans as outlined at the most recent AGM to explore and research all possible models, structures and commercial options in order to present them to members in the near future."
Cronulla's survival has been a problem child for the NRL since the club was forced to ask it's financier, St George Bank, for an extra $500,000 to pay wages in December 2008.
It's understood the Leagues Club has continued to be hit hard by raised poker machine taxes - a common affliction which has resulted in 16 licensed premises across the state applying for amalgamation this year alone.
None, however, have yet found a partner.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...gues-club-merger/story-e6frexnr-1225929073475
While Sharks chairman Damian Irvine last night played down the shock move to publicly advertise for partners, club industry sources were left deeply concerned for the future of the NRL's shakiest franchise.
Sharks officials earlier this week contacted ClubsNSW, which yesterday invited its member organisations to provide Cronulla with "expressions of interest" about a "possible amalgamation".
Cronulla had planned to tell its 18,000 members on Monday, but The Daily Telegraph discovered the development after obtaining the ClubsNSW circular from a rival NRL club official.
"ClubsNSW has been notified by the Cronulla-Sutherland Leagues Club Ltd that it is seeking expressions of interest from registered clubs in the same region with a view to exploring the possibility of an amalgamation," the circular read.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
"The seeking of expressions of interest from registered clubs at this time is consistent with the club's plans as outlined at the most recent AGM to explore and research all possible models, structures and commercial options in order to present them to members in the near future."
Cronulla's survival has been a problem child for the NRL since the club was forced to ask it's financier, St George Bank, for an extra $500,000 to pay wages in December 2008.
It's understood the Leagues Club has continued to be hit hard by raised poker machine taxes - a common affliction which has resulted in 16 licensed premises across the state applying for amalgamation this year alone.
None, however, have yet found a partner.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...gues-club-merger/story-e6frexnr-1225929073475
