An additional note...It's my understanding that David Gallop will be recommending to the Partnership committee that a Sydney team relocate that is why I sugest this happen for the Gold Coast team rather than the Central Coast. The Sharks and Bunnies are the ones in the firing line.
Personnally I do not wish relocation on anybody. No current team wants to and they should not be forced to.
BIG-STEVE
26th
May 2005
NRL Partnership Committee
Dear David/John
If it is not too late I have some last minute thoughts to pass on to the Partnership Committee regarding the expansion issue.
Regards Steve
Having run a North Sydney/Central Coast Bears supporters website and been involved with the club for a number of years, I believe there is an issue that the Committee should be taking into account in their decision on expansion of the competition. This is not about looking back at the past. It is about the current integrity of the way football is administrated in this country.
The sudden and mysterious urgency in the last few years for a Gold Coast team should, I believe, not over ride the long standing (almost six years now) financial pressures that the NRL has put on the Central Coast bid having left them with an empty, purpose built stadium to up kept, not to mention the enormous financial and player market pressures the North Sydney Club has been under to maintain all 4 rep teams needed for an NRL team. Additionally The Gold Coast is not ready and requires time to build it’s infrastructure and stadium. There are also already rumors forecasting delays in the construction of the stadium. And we all know how devastating the delay in the building of Gosford Stadium was for the North Sydney Club.
Essentially what I am arguing is, that if you agree that both areas need a team the Central Coast Bears bid needs to be in as soon as possible to relieve it’s difficult situation. A relocation (for example Cronulla) would forever destroy the possibility of the Bears once again being represented in the NRL and create even more anger from traditional supporters. Considering this, a relocation to the Gold Coast makes more sense.
If we are really talking about a long term Gold Coast team it’s hard to understand the argument that it is so urgent that the Central Coast/North Sydney bid should continue to carry the burden of what it proactively started almost six years ago under direction of the NRL, while it waits another four or so years for re-admittance.
Yours Sincerely
Steve