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GASNIER TO DEPART DRAGONS AT SEASONS END
St George Illawarra Dragons have today announced captain Mark Gasnier has decided to exercise a clause in his playing contract and leave the Dragons at the end of the 2008 season.
The local junior signed a five-year playing contract in June 2006 which was to be supplemented by commitments of third party sponsors, to keep Mark at the Dragons and in the game of rugby league.
Unfortunately after 18 months these third party commitments have not been fulfilled and Mark, through his manager George Mimis has been investigating opportunities outside the NRL and has agreed to terms with French Rugby Union team Stade Francais for two seasons, commencing at the end of the 2008 NRL season with the Dragons.
While the process has been complex and efforts have been made on many fronts to resolve the contractual problems Mark has chosen to exercise a clause in his contract that allowed him to leave the Dragons if the external financial commitments were not met.
To acknowledge that Mark Gasnier is leaving the Dragons and the game of rugby league is indeed a sad occasion, said Dragons Chief Executive Officer Peter Doust. Mark is a rare talent, a St George junior who has developed into one of the games finest players.
Two years ago we worked extremely hard to keep him at our Club and in the game when he was off contract and attracting significant offers from elsewhere and over the past two years we have continued to do all could to ensure he remained a Dragon but unfortunately his decision to leave is for circumstances beyond our control, added Doust.
Marks contributions to our Club both on and off the field have been significant and he will certainly be difficult to replace, said Doust.
The Dragons captain explained the difficulties and frustrations associated with his decision.
This definitely wasnt an easy decision to make, said Gasnier. I love the Dragons and the Club has always been fantastic to me.
I could not have asked for any more from this Club, Peter, the Board, Nathan and the players in the way that I have been treated and looked after for my entire career, added Gasnier.
I made the decision because it became very clear to me that the commitments that were made to me and that I agreed to in 2006 involving external parties was not going to eventuate.
Everyone knows that we have a relatively short time as athletes and therefore we need to ensure that we maximise our opportunities on and off the field.
I am very grateful to the Dragons and rugby league for the support that I have had and I know that I will leave behind some great friends but I am still here now and have much of this season left to focus on with the Dragons.
Mark made his first grade debut as a 19 year old in Round 8 of season 2000 and has represented City Origin (2001, 2003), NSW on 9 occasions and played 15 Tests.
www.dragons.com.au
St George Illawarra Dragons have today announced captain Mark Gasnier has decided to exercise a clause in his playing contract and leave the Dragons at the end of the 2008 season.
The local junior signed a five-year playing contract in June 2006 which was to be supplemented by commitments of third party sponsors, to keep Mark at the Dragons and in the game of rugby league.
Unfortunately after 18 months these third party commitments have not been fulfilled and Mark, through his manager George Mimis has been investigating opportunities outside the NRL and has agreed to terms with French Rugby Union team Stade Francais for two seasons, commencing at the end of the 2008 NRL season with the Dragons.
While the process has been complex and efforts have been made on many fronts to resolve the contractual problems Mark has chosen to exercise a clause in his contract that allowed him to leave the Dragons if the external financial commitments were not met.
To acknowledge that Mark Gasnier is leaving the Dragons and the game of rugby league is indeed a sad occasion, said Dragons Chief Executive Officer Peter Doust. Mark is a rare talent, a St George junior who has developed into one of the games finest players.
Two years ago we worked extremely hard to keep him at our Club and in the game when he was off contract and attracting significant offers from elsewhere and over the past two years we have continued to do all could to ensure he remained a Dragon but unfortunately his decision to leave is for circumstances beyond our control, added Doust.
Marks contributions to our Club both on and off the field have been significant and he will certainly be difficult to replace, said Doust.
The Dragons captain explained the difficulties and frustrations associated with his decision.
This definitely wasnt an easy decision to make, said Gasnier. I love the Dragons and the Club has always been fantastic to me.
I could not have asked for any more from this Club, Peter, the Board, Nathan and the players in the way that I have been treated and looked after for my entire career, added Gasnier.
I made the decision because it became very clear to me that the commitments that were made to me and that I agreed to in 2006 involving external parties was not going to eventuate.
Everyone knows that we have a relatively short time as athletes and therefore we need to ensure that we maximise our opportunities on and off the field.
I am very grateful to the Dragons and rugby league for the support that I have had and I know that I will leave behind some great friends but I am still here now and have much of this season left to focus on with the Dragons.
Mark made his first grade debut as a 19 year old in Round 8 of season 2000 and has represented City Origin (2001, 2003), NSW on 9 occasions and played 15 Tests.
www.dragons.com.au
