gong_eagle
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The Letter from Bob Reilly
Dear Member,
Over the last two weeks, there has been far too much discussion about Manly off the field risking everything weve achieved on the field.
Football Club members and supporters are entitled to be angry and disappointed about the way these discussions have been played out in the media.
But as Im sure members would appreciate, the media doesnt always get it right and there were reasons behind the events of the last Sea Eagles board meeting.
Rather than contribute to an ongoing slanging match about the club played out for the media, the Football Club would prefer to work through the issues and discuss how to move forward.
For the record, the Football Club Board would like to state its position very clearly on two key issues:
The football Club supports Des Hasler and the extension of his contract as voted for unanimously by the Sea Eagles Board at the last meeting (and not accurately reported by the media). We further believe Des should be rewarded for both his success over the last five years, and for what we believe we will be an even more successful period ahead.
The Football Club Board has legitimate concerns about whether everyone connected with the Sea Eagles is as committed to Brookvale Oval as we are. Under the guidance of Kerry Sibraa from the Football Club, commitments of over $12 million have been obtained to redevelop Brookvale Oval, and were continuing to fight for even more so that Brookvale Oval can always remain our home. We have expressed concern on several occasions about whether this passion is shared by everyone associated with the Sea Eagles, particularly as recent suggestions have been made by some parties to take up to six home games away from Brookvale Oval per season.
These concerns were deepened upon the discovery that the Sea Eagles had applied for the registration of the trade mark Central Coast Sea Eagles without Board approval and the successful registration of this trade mark was still actively being pursued as recently as this month, February 2009. We cannot, and we will not agree to moving 6 games away from Brookvale in these circumstances and we know that Football Club members would be equally concerned were this to happen.
There is a way forward for the Sea Eagles. The Football Clubs representatives on the Sea Eagles Board will work constructively and sensibly with representatives of the Penn & Delmege families, the Manly Leagues Club and the CEO of the Sea Eagles, to help move beyond this. Its important that these matters are conducted in confidence, and discussions through the press once and for all.
In particular, we want to develop solutions that ensure our passionate commitment to Brookvale Oval as the rightful home of the Sea Eagles is accompanied by a plan for the team that sees it profitable off-the-field as well as continuing to be successful on it.
Our interest is simple: we want a thriving Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, playing all its home games only at Brookvale Oval, and building a future as bright as the last 62 years. As members and fans, you deserve nothing less.
As Chairman, Id be only too happy to discuss any of this with any member individually if youd like to contact me by phone or via email: footballclub@manlyleagueclub.com.au
Bob Reilly
Chairman
Manly Warringah Rugby League Football Club Limited
C/- Manly Daily
Dear Member,
Over the last two weeks, there has been far too much discussion about Manly off the field risking everything weve achieved on the field.
Football Club members and supporters are entitled to be angry and disappointed about the way these discussions have been played out in the media.
But as Im sure members would appreciate, the media doesnt always get it right and there were reasons behind the events of the last Sea Eagles board meeting.
Rather than contribute to an ongoing slanging match about the club played out for the media, the Football Club would prefer to work through the issues and discuss how to move forward.
For the record, the Football Club Board would like to state its position very clearly on two key issues:
The football Club supports Des Hasler and the extension of his contract as voted for unanimously by the Sea Eagles Board at the last meeting (and not accurately reported by the media). We further believe Des should be rewarded for both his success over the last five years, and for what we believe we will be an even more successful period ahead.
The Football Club Board has legitimate concerns about whether everyone connected with the Sea Eagles is as committed to Brookvale Oval as we are. Under the guidance of Kerry Sibraa from the Football Club, commitments of over $12 million have been obtained to redevelop Brookvale Oval, and were continuing to fight for even more so that Brookvale Oval can always remain our home. We have expressed concern on several occasions about whether this passion is shared by everyone associated with the Sea Eagles, particularly as recent suggestions have been made by some parties to take up to six home games away from Brookvale Oval per season.
These concerns were deepened upon the discovery that the Sea Eagles had applied for the registration of the trade mark Central Coast Sea Eagles without Board approval and the successful registration of this trade mark was still actively being pursued as recently as this month, February 2009. We cannot, and we will not agree to moving 6 games away from Brookvale in these circumstances and we know that Football Club members would be equally concerned were this to happen.
There is a way forward for the Sea Eagles. The Football Clubs representatives on the Sea Eagles Board will work constructively and sensibly with representatives of the Penn & Delmege families, the Manly Leagues Club and the CEO of the Sea Eagles, to help move beyond this. Its important that these matters are conducted in confidence, and discussions through the press once and for all.
In particular, we want to develop solutions that ensure our passionate commitment to Brookvale Oval as the rightful home of the Sea Eagles is accompanied by a plan for the team that sees it profitable off-the-field as well as continuing to be successful on it.
Our interest is simple: we want a thriving Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, playing all its home games only at Brookvale Oval, and building a future as bright as the last 62 years. As members and fans, you deserve nothing less.
As Chairman, Id be only too happy to discuss any of this with any member individually if youd like to contact me by phone or via email: footballclub@manlyleagueclub.com.au
Bob Reilly
Chairman
Manly Warringah Rugby League Football Club Limited
C/- Manly Daily
