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Sub Main Menusunshine coastnational 8:15PM Saturday 31 May, 2008
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Sea Eagles set for Q Cup
12:00a.m. 31 May 2008
| By Jon Tuxworth
Wide Bay Rugby League president Danny McGuire sums up the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles case for entry into next years Queensland Cup with a simple analogy: The pies been baked, it just needs to be taken out of the oven.
The Queensland Rugby League board will meet on June 19 to discuss the Sea Eagles desire to secure a license into the states biggest competition.
And McGuire, himself a QRL board member, is highly confident the Sea Eagles have satisfied the criteria needed to be given the green light.
Facilities, playing staff and the ability to meet budget are the main criteria the club will need to meet to be granted its wish.
Its like a jigsaw puzzle. Youve got the players, the facilities, the money, the background, the administration... all the parts are there, McGuire said.
Theres no way the QRL will be against it happening, provided they meet those criteria.
Now those criteria are met, I cant see any reason why we cant get a tick in the box.
The QRL are probably a bit cautious in saying yes because of teams coming and going over the years, but the Sea Eagles have had three years to iron out the bugs.
With around $500,000 needed to make Queensland Cup entry viable, McGuire estimates the Sea Eagles have that covered, with more to spare.
I think theyve got sponsorship equivalent to about $700,000, McGuire said.
That figure includes coachs wages provided by NRL affiliate club Manly, its agreement with Stockland Park and internal sponsorship.
Manly will also provide around six or seven players from its squad each week that fail to be selected for the NRL.
The QRL recognises the need for a strong local competition in this area, because the Sunshine Coast is developing so rapidly and theres a lot of pressure from other sports, McGuire said.
Its part of the QRL strategy to get a Q Cup team here.
McGuire added the influx of playing talent from Brookvale, as well as the come home factor, would ensure player quality wasnt a factor.
Weve got about a dozen players who come from Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast who have indicated they want to come back here and play in the Q Cup, he said.
Its not as if we wont have the players, theyll be there.
McGuire said a local Queensland Cup presence was critical to ensure young talent doesnt have to travel to Brisbane to further its games.
Weve currently got players here on the Coast who go to school here, but have to play in Brisbane in an under-18 competition, he said.
How ridiculous is that?
http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2008/may/31/sea-eagles-set-q-cup/
Interesting stuff here. Manly are certainly hedging their bets in NSW's tight market. A smart move imo. Firstly they get access to part of the SE QLD region in an area largely untapped at this point. It is probably quite a surprise to many non-Manly fans to hear that Manly has a very strong following in QLD. Over the last few seasons the Brisbane match has seen a huge supporter base turn up. Last year was unbelievable. This year was quite huge too. It's come a long way since the dark old days of the NE and only a small following.
Showers min 16° - max 23° Sea Eagles set for Q Cup
12:00a.m. 31 May 2008
| By Jon Tuxworth
Wide Bay Rugby League president Danny McGuire sums up the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles case for entry into next years Queensland Cup with a simple analogy: The pies been baked, it just needs to be taken out of the oven.
The Queensland Rugby League board will meet on June 19 to discuss the Sea Eagles desire to secure a license into the states biggest competition.
And McGuire, himself a QRL board member, is highly confident the Sea Eagles have satisfied the criteria needed to be given the green light.
Facilities, playing staff and the ability to meet budget are the main criteria the club will need to meet to be granted its wish.
Its like a jigsaw puzzle. Youve got the players, the facilities, the money, the background, the administration... all the parts are there, McGuire said.
Theres no way the QRL will be against it happening, provided they meet those criteria.
Now those criteria are met, I cant see any reason why we cant get a tick in the box.
The QRL are probably a bit cautious in saying yes because of teams coming and going over the years, but the Sea Eagles have had three years to iron out the bugs.
With around $500,000 needed to make Queensland Cup entry viable, McGuire estimates the Sea Eagles have that covered, with more to spare.
I think theyve got sponsorship equivalent to about $700,000, McGuire said.
That figure includes coachs wages provided by NRL affiliate club Manly, its agreement with Stockland Park and internal sponsorship.
Manly will also provide around six or seven players from its squad each week that fail to be selected for the NRL.
The QRL recognises the need for a strong local competition in this area, because the Sunshine Coast is developing so rapidly and theres a lot of pressure from other sports, McGuire said.
Its part of the QRL strategy to get a Q Cup team here.
McGuire added the influx of playing talent from Brookvale, as well as the come home factor, would ensure player quality wasnt a factor.
Weve got about a dozen players who come from Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast who have indicated they want to come back here and play in the Q Cup, he said.
Its not as if we wont have the players, theyll be there.
McGuire said a local Queensland Cup presence was critical to ensure young talent doesnt have to travel to Brisbane to further its games.
Weve currently got players here on the Coast who go to school here, but have to play in Brisbane in an under-18 competition, he said.
How ridiculous is that?
http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2008/may/31/sea-eagles-set-q-cup/
Interesting stuff here. Manly are certainly hedging their bets in NSW's tight market. A smart move imo. Firstly they get access to part of the SE QLD region in an area largely untapped at this point. It is probably quite a surprise to many non-Manly fans to hear that Manly has a very strong following in QLD. Over the last few seasons the Brisbane match has seen a huge supporter base turn up. Last year was unbelievable. This year was quite huge too. It's come a long way since the dark old days of the NE and only a small following.
