Willow
Assistant Moderator
- Messages
- 110,109
The Search for a Dragons HomeGround
From the very moment that St George became a 1st grade team in 1921, they had home ground problems. Hurstville Oval was unfenced and the club suffered financially. The move to Earl Park was a huge success and with that came success on the footy field.
The Dragons enjoyed their greatest years when they had home ground stability at Kogarah Oval. The move out of Kogarah led to years of failure but once back at Kogarah, the team once again found themselves contesting Grand Finals.
It now appears impossible that we can ever have a Dragons team at Kogarah Jubilee Oval, however, we have real chance to re-claim a home ground advantage in the St George district at Barton Park...pics from: http://stgeorgestadium.homestead.com/index.html
The current entrance to St George Soccer Stadium at Rockdale
The existing Barton Park, adjacent to the Stadium
Sunday Telegraph, 22 July 2001: An article by Adam Hawse.
THE return of South Sydney to the NRL is set to force St George Illawarra out of the Sydney Football Stadium.
With the Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters to use the SFS as their home ground in 2002, the Dragons are looking at alternative venues for their Sydney based matches. Among the options are the adjacent Sydney Cricket Ground, Stadium Australia and the Sydney Showground.
A decision will be made by the end of August.
"Souths arriving back has complicated things for us," Dragons chief executive Peter Doustsaid today. "We're just contemplating what other options there are."
The Dragons are not bound to a lease next year, allowing them to change venues if they wish.
Ultimately, the joint venture wants to play it's Sydney home games at the proposed BartonPark, a 20,000 seat stadium planned for Rockdale.
A return to their old home ground, Kogarah Jubilee Oval, is not an option.
Doust also ruled out the club playing all it's home games at WIN Stadium in Wollongong.
"We've made a commitment to play in Sydney and we believe it actually strengthens our organisation by playing two markets," he said. "Playing all games at WIN is not an option."
OK, it's just an article from the Telegraph and I take it with a grain of salt but it looks like at last the concept of StGeorge Illawarra being a team that also plays in the St George district may be a serious notion amongst club officials.
I urge all Dragons supporters and indeed supporters of Rugby League to do the following:
1.) A letter to Rockdale Council (Attn Mayor Peter Bryant) thanking them for their support in trying to bring the Dragons back to the StGeorge district through the proposed upgrading of the St George Stadium. rcc@rockdale.nsw.gov.au - Tell the Council that you support this community project.
2.) Another letter to the St George Leagues Club (Peter Doust and Robert Stone) asking for clarification on this demanding issue.
In particular, when will we see the Dragons playing their home games at the new St George Stadium?
I suggest the best way to do this is by fax. Fax: 02 9556 1175 but that's up to you.
Postal address: 124 Princes Highway Kogarah NSW 2217 Australia.
Or just send them an email.
The current vanguard for all of this is a fellow forum member who has a website:
St George Stadium Website:
http://stgeorgestadium.homestead.com/index.html
By just sending a fax, letter or email, you can become part of the effort. I'm sure if we pull together, the Dragons will indeed have 'home ground advantage' once again.
Please post any suggestions or add ons here. Many Thanks.
From the very moment that St George became a 1st grade team in 1921, they had home ground problems. Hurstville Oval was unfenced and the club suffered financially. The move to Earl Park was a huge success and with that came success on the footy field.
The Dragons enjoyed their greatest years when they had home ground stability at Kogarah Oval. The move out of Kogarah led to years of failure but once back at Kogarah, the team once again found themselves contesting Grand Finals.
It now appears impossible that we can ever have a Dragons team at Kogarah Jubilee Oval, however, we have real chance to re-claim a home ground advantage in the St George district at Barton Park...pics from: http://stgeorgestadium.homestead.com/index.html
The current entrance to St George Soccer Stadium at Rockdale
The existing Barton Park, adjacent to the Stadium
Sunday Telegraph, 22 July 2001: An article by Adam Hawse.
THE return of South Sydney to the NRL is set to force St George Illawarra out of the Sydney Football Stadium.
With the Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters to use the SFS as their home ground in 2002, the Dragons are looking at alternative venues for their Sydney based matches. Among the options are the adjacent Sydney Cricket Ground, Stadium Australia and the Sydney Showground.
A decision will be made by the end of August.
"Souths arriving back has complicated things for us," Dragons chief executive Peter Doustsaid today. "We're just contemplating what other options there are."
The Dragons are not bound to a lease next year, allowing them to change venues if they wish.
Ultimately, the joint venture wants to play it's Sydney home games at the proposed BartonPark, a 20,000 seat stadium planned for Rockdale.
A return to their old home ground, Kogarah Jubilee Oval, is not an option.
Doust also ruled out the club playing all it's home games at WIN Stadium in Wollongong.
"We've made a commitment to play in Sydney and we believe it actually strengthens our organisation by playing two markets," he said. "Playing all games at WIN is not an option."
OK, it's just an article from the Telegraph and I take it with a grain of salt but it looks like at last the concept of StGeorge Illawarra being a team that also plays in the St George district may be a serious notion amongst club officials.
I urge all Dragons supporters and indeed supporters of Rugby League to do the following:
1.) A letter to Rockdale Council (Attn Mayor Peter Bryant) thanking them for their support in trying to bring the Dragons back to the StGeorge district through the proposed upgrading of the St George Stadium. rcc@rockdale.nsw.gov.au - Tell the Council that you support this community project.
2.) Another letter to the St George Leagues Club (Peter Doust and Robert Stone) asking for clarification on this demanding issue.
In particular, when will we see the Dragons playing their home games at the new St George Stadium?
I suggest the best way to do this is by fax. Fax: 02 9556 1175 but that's up to you.
Postal address: 124 Princes Highway Kogarah NSW 2217 Australia.
Or just send them an email.
The current vanguard for all of this is a fellow forum member who has a website:
St George Stadium Website:
http://stgeorgestadium.homestead.com/index.html
By just sending a fax, letter or email, you can become part of the effort. I'm sure if we pull together, the Dragons will indeed have 'home ground advantage' once again.
Please post any suggestions or add ons here. Many Thanks.
