Hasler wants Brookvale improved

[gong_eagle]

15/08/2007
http://sportal.com.au/default.aspx/League-news-display/hasler-wants-brookvale-improved-33391



Adam Lucius

Sportal

Manly coach Des Hasler has taken time out from his team's mounting premiership campaign to implore the NSW State Government to save Brookvale Oval as a rugby league venue.
The Sea Eagles' spiritual home is badly in need of an upgrade amid concerns it will struggle to handle a capacity crowd when the club hosts it first-ever finals match in three weeks' time.
Manly shifted last Friday's home match against Newcastle to the Central Coast's Bluetongue Stadium - earning a record $250,000 in gate takings - and have not ruled out taking future games away from the ageing Brookvale Oval.
The club has written to the State Government requesting funds for an urgent upgrade of Brookvale Oval's lights, seating, amenities blocks and toilet facilities.
"I think from the people's point of view and the supporters' point of view, we need a stadium that's up to date…a marquee stadium that the people and the community can use," Hasler said on Wednesday.
"Brookvale in its current state falls a long way short."
"For the players it's just a great footy ground - it will always be a great footy ground - but for the beancounters and the people that run the business there's a great opportunity to capitalise on it but unfortunately the facilities aren't there for us to capitalise on it."
"It would be great for the state government to toss some money our way."
Looking ahead at next month's home final, Hasler added: "It'll be interesting on how it all copes come a home semi-final."
"I think they're going to have to turn people away."
"It's well documented… we desperately need some funds."
On the player front, the Manly boss is also contemplating some repair work on a number of his walking wounded before the play-offs.
"We're in a fortunate spot; we've got second spot and a home semi in the bag and we don't have to take any unnecessary risks," he pointed out.
"If a player needs a rest - if a player is injured - we certainly won't risk it."
"Sometimes players don't like being rested so we'll gauge that as we go."
The Sea Eagles have injury concerns over half-back and captain Matt Orford heading into Monday night's match against South Sydney at Telstra Stadium.
"We've got till Monday and it's only Wednesday so we're not going to risk Matty," Hasler said.
"We've got five days so he will be a day-to-day proposition."

 

[gong_eagle]

Eagles in a flap over Brookvale Oval

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

http://nrl.com/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/6631/Default.aspx

Manly fear they will be forced out of their beloved Brookvale Oval in the future if the dilapidated stadium is not redeveloped.

Manly chief executive Grant Mayer says the club will meet with NSW premier Morris Iemma next week to push their case for at least $15 million to fund an upgrade for the football ground.

Mayer says Brookvale needs urgent repairs to the current grandstand and the club would also like to construct a new grandstand on the eastern hill to offer more corporate areas and undercover seating.

If the Sea Eagles cannot access any grants from the State or Federal governments, Mayer fears the club will not be able to run a business and could look to move further games to Gosford's far more modern Bluetongue Stadium.

The Sea Eagles pocketed $250,000 from their one-off home clash at Gosford's Bluetongue Stadium last week and will play two home games on the Central Coast next year.

"The seven (club) board members and myself want to stay at Brookvale Oval and want to stay at the beaches long-term, but if there's not one cent put into the venue it's going to be very difficult to run a business," said Mayer.

"Brookvale Oval now, more than ever before, it's becoming quite obvious it is in desperate need of an upgrade.

"The only way it's going to happen is if there's involvement from the State and Federal government.

"(But) if everything goes pear-shaped and we get not one cent from either the State or Federal government well we as a business have to look at our future and our future is not at a dilapidated, run-down venue that cannot cater for the demands of modern rugby league."

Mayer said Brookvale Oval ranks as one of the worst stadiums in the NRL in terms of facilities for supporters and corporates and fears the club can't sustain itself unless the ground is brought up to a professional standard.

He added last week's trip to Gosford highlighted the huge divide in the standard of stadium facilities.

"The venue is not modern and it does not give us a professional outlook for sponsors," said Mayer.

"Fifteen million would do the repairs that are required and gives us a new stand on the eastern side.

"Over and above that is cream but anything below that it would still be sub-standard in today's rugby league."

Manly's tenancy at Brookvale could also come under scrutiny from the NRL if they deem the ground unsuitable to host games.

The NRL has a set criteria for hosting games and Mayer doubts Brookvale would pass the test in the future.

"You would have to think Brookvale stands very little chance to get through in its current form," he said.

Manly hope the club's home semi-final early next month highlights the need for a stadium upgrade.

They're expecting to turn away thousands of fans for the game because Brookvale's capacity is only 23,000 - of which only 4,000 are seated.

"It will be interesting to see how it all copes come the home semi-final, I think we're going to have to turn people away," Manly coach Des Hasler said.

"We need a stadium that is up-to-date. A marquee stadium that the people in the community can use and Brookvale in its current state falls a long way short."
Source: AAP

 

[oneeyedeaglesman]

Typical,no Gov money for the Eagles.Yet Newcastle ,Saints and Parra to name a few get way more money than we need.We need Brooky to be in a marginal seat to get any cash.A f***ing disgrace.

 

[woodyk2]

Looks like a move to Blue Tongue could be on the cards. Saying this got me banned from the official pissweak Manly site.

 

[gong_eagle]

Looks like a move to Blue Tongue could be on the cards. Saying this got me banned from the official pissweak Manly site.

what did you post ?
must have been something sensitive to someone

 

[woodyk2]

what did you post ?
must have been something sensitive to someone

Yeah...i just put up my thoughts on how everything seems to be pointing to a move to Blue Tongue and it seemed a little to close to home and too much to bare for some sensitive types.