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http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12021858
Fale withdraws from Warriors purchase, wants expansion team instead
Hawaiian politician Richard Fale has withdrawn his interest in buying the Warriors, instead focusing his attention on a new Auckland based NRL franchise after NRL boss Todd Greenberg confirmed expansion is once again on the table.
The Herald on Sunday understands Fale has been actively scoping alternative options in preparation for a failed Warriors bid and his preferred choice is a new franchise to be based on Auckland’s North Shore.
A spokesman for Fale has revealed the new franchise has tentatively been named the ‘North Shore Sailors’, due to the Naval connections across the North Shore community. Key features of the new franchise would include:
Fale was unavailable for comment but his spokesman acknowledges the new franchise would face some key challenges. “We know that in normal circumstances, basing a team on race might not be the way to go, but here on the North Shore it’s a very natural fit. We’ve had strong support from the local community and think we’re absolutely onto a winner. Local derbies between our Sailors and those Warriors would become blockbusters.”
“We firmly believe it’s about time for local European players to have a clear pathway to the top of their sport without the constant blockades put in place by the traditional Auckland Rugby League clubs.”
NRL boss Todd Greenberg had no comment to make at this stage.
Fale withdraws from Warriors purchase, wants expansion team instead
Hawaiian politician Richard Fale has withdrawn his interest in buying the Warriors, instead focusing his attention on a new Auckland based NRL franchise after NRL boss Todd Greenberg confirmed expansion is once again on the table.
The Herald on Sunday understands Fale has been actively scoping alternative options in preparation for a failed Warriors bid and his preferred choice is a new franchise to be based on Auckland’s North Shore.
A spokesman for Fale has revealed the new franchise has tentatively been named the ‘North Shore Sailors’, due to the Naval connections across the North Shore community. Key features of the new franchise would include:
- Home games to be played at North Harbour Stadium with occasional games played at Ngataringa Bay, home of the Naval Sports Complex.
- A predominantly white playing roster to reflect the local North Shore community and provide a point of difference to the Warriors team.
- A playing strip modelled on Naval uniform styles.
- Entertainment at matches would be provided by a local dancing troupe to be known as the Shore Girls.
- Segregated seating at home games to keep ‘those rowdy opposition supporters’ confined to grass embankments only.
Fale was unavailable for comment but his spokesman acknowledges the new franchise would face some key challenges. “We know that in normal circumstances, basing a team on race might not be the way to go, but here on the North Shore it’s a very natural fit. We’ve had strong support from the local community and think we’re absolutely onto a winner. Local derbies between our Sailors and those Warriors would become blockbusters.”
“We firmly believe it’s about time for local European players to have a clear pathway to the top of their sport without the constant blockades put in place by the traditional Auckland Rugby League clubs.”
NRL boss Todd Greenberg had no comment to make at this stage.
