Norths Leagues Club has reduced the annual grant it provides the rugby league club from about $650,000 to just $350,000, claiming it is a measure to off-set the imminent rise in State Government poker machine taxes.
The move is sure to cripple the Bears unless greater community sponsorship can be found. The club’s top team finished last in the NSW Premier League this season on the $650,000 budget.
The move could also
scupper the
club’s chances of signing former
Bears general manager Greg Florimo said the decision “hit us on the blindside”. It is understood Florimo is considering his future.
“We’re very shocked and disappointed,” Florimo said.
The news comes just days after the club announced an alliance with the Melbourne Storm that would see the Bears used as a feeder club for the NRL team.
Any Sydney-based Storm players not selected for NRL duty will be eligible to play for the Bears in 2005.
That deal may well
save
If not, then new Bears president Mike Gibbons — who replaced Bob Foster after his resignation on Friday and Florimo must develop a strategy to operate four teams from under-15s to Premier League on the fumes of an oily rag.
“There are a lot of
fired up
“We’ve taken the view that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
“This club has just been smashed from pillar-to-post in the past five years, but one thing we’re famous for is our resilience.
“This isn’t going to be easy, but it’s just another hurdle. Now we have to roll our sleeves up and get on with life. We fully intend to run all of our teams next season.”
More than 100 former Bears are expected to attend a reunion to night and Florimo is keen to enlist the support of many of them.
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