St. Mary's - Penrith Cougars no more from next year

[choc_soldier]

From the Panthers site...

Jul 31 - The partnership that saw the formation of the St Marys-Penrith Cougars will end this year.

The decision was jointly announced today by the clubs.

"The decision, which was an extremely difficult one to make, can be attributed to the significant impact upon our profitability as a result of the increase in poker machine taxation, the expected impact on revenue as a result of smoking legislation and the fact that we have committed to a major building program and the development of our existing club site," Warren Smith, President of St Marys Rugby League Club, said today.

Mr Smith said there was no denying that the partnership with Penrith had been a success. "However, after four enjoyable years, including a grand final appearance, a semi-final campaign and with another play-off date beckoning, St Marys Rugby League Club and Penrith Panthers will go their separate ways in season 2007."

Panthers Chairman Barry Walsh said the club was sad to see the joint venture end. "It has been a great partnership which was good for rugby league.

"However, we totally understand where St Marys is coming from and thank them for their support over the last four years.

"Panthers will continue to support a Premier League team just as we do Jersey Flegg," Mr Walsh said.

http://www.panthers.com.au/default.aspx?id=3&ArticleID=228

Sad to see them go. Apart from last year, they've been a success.

I can see St. Mary's perhaps fielding a team in the Jim Beam Cup for 2007.

 

[2 True Blues]

So they cut little brother off. FFS how many pokies does panthers have. What a fricken joke. change left over or what !!!!!!!

 

[Jeffles]

I think the pokies is seen as an excuse for other factors, the same way it was an excuse for Guildford to punt their Jim Beam Cup team. The reality is that licensed clubs are less generous with their money.

Maybe Penrith have someone else lined up or they'll go back to their own club like Cronulla did this year.

Kinda interesting that when people talk about the future of NSWRL they talk about the NRL clubs all outsourcing PL clubs. The reality is that few partnerships have lasted. This is because the infrastructure isn't there outside the NSW based NRL clubs to supply all NRL teams with worthy partners. Bearing that in mind, something should be done about promoting the existing product.

 

[yakstorm]

So they cut little brother off. FFS how many pokies does panthers have. What a fricken joke. change left over or what !!!!!!!

Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but it says in the press release that it was St Mary's who ended the arrangement, not the Penrith Panthers due to the financial constraint that was on the St Mary club.

Honestly I think its a case of St Marys wanting more games at Western Weekender, whilst Penrith seemed to keep directing games towards CUA Stadium, both as such wanting to look after their own self interests.

 

[2 True Blues]

MMMmmmm !!! Interesting point.

On the pokies subject, the Jets Sports club has about twenty pokie machines in the entire club.....

 

[Jeffles]

I read it as St Mary's ending it too yakstorm.

I enjoyed going there. Both times I ewent the jets were thrashed. The time I didn't go Newtown racked up the points with Mr Merritt that star of the show.

Results aside, it is a good setup there.

 

[2 True Blues]

Used to live at Erskine Park and saw Jimmy Barnes live at the club back in 2003. it's a top notch club actually.....Good set up.....

 

[cumberlandsashes81]

Honestly I think its a case of St Marys wanting more games at Western Weekender, whilst Penrith seemed to keep directing games towards CUA Stadium, both as such wanting to look after their own self interests.

Hardly surprising considering St Mary's investment of $5 million into Western Weekender Stadium; an investment that indicated they have some real ambitions for their Senior RL side. It will be interesting to see where St Mary's goes from here - re-enter the JBC? Another PL joint-venture?

 

[2 True Blues]

More likely they will be in Jim beam, who would they joint venture into Premier league with ?????? No options !!!!

 

[newtownbluebags]

Will be interesting to see what sort of funds/commitment Panthers put into the new side then...............:-k

 

[cumberlandsashes81]

More likely they will be in Jim beam, who would they joint venture into Premier league with ?????? No options !!!!

Denis Fitzgerald is always looking for ways to frustrate Parramatta fans so perhaps it will be the Parramatta-St Marys Cougar Eels next year?

 

[Henson Park Hornets]

I reckon that its a smart move by St Marys to go back to the JBC and have the Panfas back in the PL. BUT it sounds like St Marys are using the pokie tax as a cop out.

 

[Jeffles]

If another club came to St Mary's and offered them a more sound deal, they may offer it. Still I welcome their return to the JBC - they will give that competition a bit more credibility.