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http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/hopes-grow-of-rabbitohs-return-to-boutique-redfern/2005/06/27/1119724580328.html
Hopes grow of Rabbitohs' return to boutique Redfern
By Roy Masters
June 28, 2005
A meeting last week involving Rabbitohs officials and the executive of Sydney City Council has offered hope for the re-development of Redfern Oval and abandoned any thought of a move to Gosford.
A 12,000-seat boutique stadium at Redfern, built by the time the club's three-year contract to play games at Telstra Stadium from 2006 concludes, is the Rabbitohs' prime objective.
The foundation club's optimism is based on Lord Mayor Clover Moore's deferral of plans to pull down antiquated Redfern Oval, and subsequent talks on June 22 attended by chief executive Shane Richardson, Leagues Club president George Piggins, union official Tony Papa and the chief executive of Sydney City Council, Peter Seamer.
The Rabbitohs' conviction to entrench themselves in their burrow comes as the league world buzzes with rumours a move to Gosford is imminent.
Melbourne Storm officials are resigned to losing half Matt Orford and centre Stephen Bell, partly because Orford, a Central Coast product, harbours hope he will play at Gosford.
Greg Willett, the manager of the Bulldogs' Braith Anasta, has admitted one of the major barriers to his client signing with the Rabbitohs is the mooted move.
"My worry is Souths going to the Central Coast," Willett said. "If they move, it would cost him another $30,000 travelling there."
But the Rabbitohs are adamant they are staying at Redfern. "There is as much chance of us moving to the Central Coast as a fly in hell," Richardson said. "The council lately has been bending over backwards to help us. We're trying to get the capacity of Redfern Oval to 12,000 to play some NRL games there.
"Our deal with Telstra is three years with a three-year option our way. It means at the end of each year of the option period, we can look at progress at Redfern."
Souths officials accuse the NRL, keen on reducing the number of Sydney teams and exploiting a new market on the Central Coast, of initiating the misinformation campaign of a possible switch.
NRL chief executive David Gallop said: "Driven by us solely? No. But Souths and others have been encouraged to explore the option. A move from their heartland has risks and potential."
The Rabbitohs point to the economic folly of accepting an $8 million relocation allowance when $5m is raised annually in sponsorship from South Sydney sponsors.
"Why jump for $8m when we wouldn't be South Sydney after a few years?" one director said.
South Sydney board met last Thursday and directors were unanimous that relocation was not an option.
A letter was tabled from South Sydney Junior League's president Frank Cookson expressing the view his rich mine of talent would be closed if the senior club relocated.
Cookson pointed out that during the two years Souths were excluded from the NRL not one Souths junior progressed to an NRL club, while identifying a half dozen future stars now playing with the Rabbitohs.
Interestingly, some directors feel they have a moral obligation to North Sydney not to invade the Gosford turf.
"North Sydney got dudded by the NRL," one director said. "They are a great club which contributed to the game and it would be immoral to take away their glimmer of hope by moving to where they want to be."
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), which has imposed a "red and green" ban on Redfern Oval preventing any demolition work, has also received a letter from the Bears asking for support.
Papa, a CFMEU official, said: "Norths got a raw deal. They've sought our support and have it."
While Papa agreed the talks with Sydney Council were positive, he says Moore's definition of "passive recreation" at Redfern was at odds with the Rabbitohs' dream of a stadium.
"We want fencing so we can charge the audience, while the Council is looking at mobile barriers," Papa said. "They want people walking their dogs to be able to stroll in off the street and watch the game."
Sydney Council's Seamer said a 12,000-seat stadium was not an option, but a facility to accommodate 12,000 was feasible.
"We're seeking a middle ground which would satisfy South Sydney's needs, junior football and local residents," he said.
Moore said the talks were "positive but hypothetical."
"Nothing is fait accompli until it goes before a full meeting of Council," she said.
Hopes grow of Rabbitohs' return to boutique Redfern
By Roy Masters
June 28, 2005
A meeting last week involving Rabbitohs officials and the executive of Sydney City Council has offered hope for the re-development of Redfern Oval and abandoned any thought of a move to Gosford.
A 12,000-seat boutique stadium at Redfern, built by the time the club's three-year contract to play games at Telstra Stadium from 2006 concludes, is the Rabbitohs' prime objective.
The foundation club's optimism is based on Lord Mayor Clover Moore's deferral of plans to pull down antiquated Redfern Oval, and subsequent talks on June 22 attended by chief executive Shane Richardson, Leagues Club president George Piggins, union official Tony Papa and the chief executive of Sydney City Council, Peter Seamer.
The Rabbitohs' conviction to entrench themselves in their burrow comes as the league world buzzes with rumours a move to Gosford is imminent.
Melbourne Storm officials are resigned to losing half Matt Orford and centre Stephen Bell, partly because Orford, a Central Coast product, harbours hope he will play at Gosford.
Greg Willett, the manager of the Bulldogs' Braith Anasta, has admitted one of the major barriers to his client signing with the Rabbitohs is the mooted move.
"My worry is Souths going to the Central Coast," Willett said. "If they move, it would cost him another $30,000 travelling there."
But the Rabbitohs are adamant they are staying at Redfern. "There is as much chance of us moving to the Central Coast as a fly in hell," Richardson said. "The council lately has been bending over backwards to help us. We're trying to get the capacity of Redfern Oval to 12,000 to play some NRL games there.
"Our deal with Telstra is three years with a three-year option our way. It means at the end of each year of the option period, we can look at progress at Redfern."
Souths officials accuse the NRL, keen on reducing the number of Sydney teams and exploiting a new market on the Central Coast, of initiating the misinformation campaign of a possible switch.
NRL chief executive David Gallop said: "Driven by us solely? No. But Souths and others have been encouraged to explore the option. A move from their heartland has risks and potential."
The Rabbitohs point to the economic folly of accepting an $8 million relocation allowance when $5m is raised annually in sponsorship from South Sydney sponsors.
"Why jump for $8m when we wouldn't be South Sydney after a few years?" one director said.
South Sydney board met last Thursday and directors were unanimous that relocation was not an option.
A letter was tabled from South Sydney Junior League's president Frank Cookson expressing the view his rich mine of talent would be closed if the senior club relocated.
Cookson pointed out that during the two years Souths were excluded from the NRL not one Souths junior progressed to an NRL club, while identifying a half dozen future stars now playing with the Rabbitohs.
Interestingly, some directors feel they have a moral obligation to North Sydney not to invade the Gosford turf.
"North Sydney got dudded by the NRL," one director said. "They are a great club which contributed to the game and it would be immoral to take away their glimmer of hope by moving to where they want to be."
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), which has imposed a "red and green" ban on Redfern Oval preventing any demolition work, has also received a letter from the Bears asking for support.
Papa, a CFMEU official, said: "Norths got a raw deal. They've sought our support and have it."
While Papa agreed the talks with Sydney Council were positive, he says Moore's definition of "passive recreation" at Redfern was at odds with the Rabbitohs' dream of a stadium.
"We want fencing so we can charge the audience, while the Council is looking at mobile barriers," Papa said. "They want people walking their dogs to be able to stroll in off the street and watch the game."
Sydney Council's Seamer said a 12,000-seat stadium was not an option, but a facility to accommodate 12,000 was feasible.
"We're seeking a middle ground which would satisfy South Sydney's needs, junior football and local residents," he said.
Moore said the talks were "positive but hypothetical."
"Nothing is fait accompli until it goes before a full meeting of Council," she said.
