The NSW State Government's crippling Gaming Taxation and Smoking laws have claimed another Rugby League victim, with 2007 NSW Rugby League Jim Beam Cup Premiers The Entrance Tigers today withdrawing from the 2008 competition.
The decision comes in the wake of substantially reduced trading figures from The Entrance Leagues Club, which have been attributed to the tightening of State Government poker machine tax and smoking laws.
NSW Leagues Clubs Association chief executive, Mr Peter Turnbull, said The Entrance Tigers wouldn't be the last Rugby League club to be forced to withdraw top-line teams in an attempt to stay afloat.
"This won't be the last example of this occurring," Mr Turnbull said today.
"It's not only the smoking bans which have impacted on all of our member clubs to a significant degree, but also the final stages of the gambling tax increases - when they're coupled together they have a profound effect on the sustainability of senior, and in some cases junior Rugby League clubs."
The Entrance's withdrawal from the 2008 Jim Beam Cup was ratified at a club board meeting last night, in the aim of preserving its extensive array of teams within the Central Coast Rugby League division.
The Entrance Tigers chief executive Mark Chaffey said the club's withdrawal was a necessary step to recoup funds critical to the preservation of its other teams, which range from Under-6s to first-grade.
"To say we're disappointed is an understatement but we had to do what was in the best interests of The Entrance Tigers," Chaffey said.
"The effects of the Gaming Taxation and Smoking Legislation have hit our licensed club hard, and we need to ensure that our Central Coast teams, both junior and senior, remain as our core focus."
NSWRL Jim Beam Cup Chairman, Mr Bob Millward, lamented the loss of the competition's reigning Premiers but reiterated his confidence in the competition's prospects for 2008.
"It's a huge blow to not only the Jim Beam Cup but to Central Coast Rugby League in general," Millward said today.
"A pathway has now been closed to players from that club hoping to compete in a semi-professional competition.
"While it is a difficult time for The Entrance, the competition itself remains in great shape. We have three new teams this year in Western Australia, Campbelltown and Cronulla-Caringbah, and hopefully the Entrance will be in a position to return to the competition in 2009."
Wigan Warriors can confirm that they have released second row forward Danny Hill.
Hill joined the club from Hull in 2006 but has only made a handful of appearances in the first team.
Speaking about the news Head Coach Brian Noble said,
"We have decided to release Danny from his contract with the club which will give him an opportunity to move elsewhere for the 2008 season. Danny came to the club at a difficult time and his chances were restricted due to injury .We wish him well for the future."
Hill is set to sign terms with another club in the next couple of days.
Bradford Bulls will launch their 2008 away shirt at the Bulls Megastore, Grattan Stadium on Saturday and Sunday December 1st and 2nd. Bulls' new signings Paul Sykes and Wayne Godwin will be in the store on Saturday between 12.30 and 2.00 to meet supporters and on Sunday Andy Lynch and Jamie Langley will again be in the store between 12.30 and 2.00.
On Wednesday evening, December 5th, the Megastore will host a 'wine and mince pie' evening and Bulls players Chris Feather and James Evans will be in the store to meet supporters between 5.30 and 7.00.
The Bulls Ticket Office will be open this Saturday, December 1st between 9.30am and 2.00pm to enable supporters to purchase their Season Tickets ahead of the 'Early Bird' deadline. Bulls Season Ticket Holders are reminded they have until December 7th to confirm that they wish to renew their seat in the Tetley's Stand. After that date all seats will be offered on a first come first served basis.
Last night at a glittering cocktail function at Jupiters Townsville the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys unveiled their new home playing strip for the 2008 Telstra Premiership.
Toyota Cowboys clothing is supplied by the team's official apparel sponsor Concept Sports and branded with the Hummel label. Players Luke O'Donnell and Ashley Graham were first to model the new garments at the specially staged fashion parade. The new design incorporates the iconic the bull's head and horns, which has been a synonymous part of the North Queensland Cowboys identity over the years. The bull also symbolises the fierce strength and power of the team.
The NRL Centenary of Rugby League embroidered logo and locker tag is incorporated into the new home jersey design for the season of 2008.
The jersey has taken 12 months of developing by Concept Sports and is made from a unique CSIRO developed wool-blend fabric called Sports-wool. This fabric is designed to work sweat away from the body and maintain the body at an optimum temperature range. It works efficiently and effectively in extreme hot and cold temperatures.
The fit and style of the on-field jersey has been specifically designed in consultation with the players, coaching staff and selected cowboys supporters.
"The look is great and the material strength is outstanding, I am really looking forward to running out onto Dairy Farmers Stadium next year in this strip," said Toyota Cowboy Luke O'Donnell.
The event was attended by nearly 100 invited guests and showcased what is to be a stand out playing strip for 2008. Cowboys sideline, training and leisure wear was also on display with the players ably assisted by the Cowboys Hotsquad and members of the Extensions Dance Company.
The new Jersey will be available for sale at the Cowboy Leagues Club Supporters Shop today (Friday) and at Cowboys premium retailers next week.
The NRL are poised to look at the kick off time for the Grand Final next year with a small glimmer of hope that the majority of Rugby League supporters will be rewarded with a day-time kick-off.
For many years the night-time Grand Final has been a controversial issue in Rugby League with the late kick-off being a serious inconvenience to supporters outside Sydney and young families.
NRL Chief Executive David Gallop has been a big supporter of the night-time Grand Final, but has opened up the door for discussion with a decision to be made next week after consultation with the 16 clubs and of course Channel Nine.
Gallop said, "The issue of the day grand final will certainly be raised. The change to daylight saving has opened a new problem around the current kick-off time."
North Queensland Chief Executive Peter Parr was in no doubt preferring a day-time Grand Final and said, "I understand why they play it at night time given the commercial advantages it brings. I think just about all of Queensland would much prefer a day grand final."
The current Grand Final format has a supporter in Melbourne Chief Executive Brian Waldron, who said, "As a code we have a real competitive advantage with a night grand final."
Many publications including Rleague.com have been running consistent polls from 2001 to 2007 when the night-time Grand Final has been in place and on every occasion support for a return to the day-time Grand Final has been consistently over the 70% mark.
What do the readers think about a possible return to the day-time Grand Final?
Former Bulldogs greats Graeme Hughes and Paul Dunn have both announced their intentions to stand for election on the Bulldogs Football Club board next year.
Hughes has been a long-time critic of the Bulldogs since his brother Garry Hughes was removed as Football Manager in early 2004 and has been using a radio programme he hosts to consistently launch tirades into the administration of the club he once played for.
The former second-row forward played 124 first grade games for the Bulldogs from 1974-82, played one match for NSW, was a member of the 1980 grand final winning team, played in the 1979 grand final and is a Life Member of the club. Hughes also played 20 matches for the NSW Cricket side, was a commentator for Channel Ten from 1983-91 and has been involved with various broadcasting and media duties since that time.
Hughes said, "I've been saying quite openly for a number of years now that I don't agree with the direction the club is headed, so it's time to stand up and try to do something about it.
"I think the fact that so many different people are thinking of standing should tell you something, and hopefully the drift of people away from the club can be halted."
Dunn is now eligible to nominate as a Director after serving three years as a member. Dunn played 100 first grade matches for the Bulldogs from 1986-90 and also played for Eastern Suburbs, Penrith and Parramatta. Dunn won the Clive Churchill Medal in 1988 following the Bulldogs grand final victory against Balmain; he was a member of the 1986 grand final side and played all his representative football when at the Bulldogs. Dunn played three State of Origin matches in 1988-89, represented Australia in six Tests from 1986-88 and played in the 1988 World Cup Final.
"I just think the football club can be run better than it has been, so I am probably going to throw my hat into the ring," Dunn said. "Rather than whingeing about things, I'd rather do something about it."
Dunn was Souths Chief Executive in 2002, but only lasted one year due to the George Piggins faction that was rampant at the Rabbitohs.
Former referee Greg Hartley is also running for the Bulldogs board. Hartley on radio 2KY earlier this morning said he supported the current Bulldogs board, but did hint there was one director he wasn't impressed with and that's who he'll be targeting at the AGM.
Other rumoured contenders for the Bulldogs board includes former International Andrew Farrar, club stalwarts Phil Charlton and Stan Cutler, former club sponsor Arthur Coorey, Barry O'Brien who is a close friend of the Hughes family, former Junior League Secretary Paul Tycehurst, 2006 director Mark Byrnes and supporter Sue Eastman who unsuccessfully ran for a position last year. Farrar, Charlton, Cutler and Coorey are all Life Members of the Bulldogs Football Club.
The current Bulldogs board of Peter Cassilles, Ray Dib, Nick Dimas, Anthony Elias, Jim Hall, Barry Phillis and Peter Winchester are all running for positions next year.
Up to 18 contenders will be running for seven board positions in what shapes up as one of the most important meetings in February next year.
One person not running for the board is former Bulldogs great and cult hero Geoff Robinson, but was in no doubt who he'll support. Robinson who is coach of the Chester Hill Rhinos Jim Beam Cup side said, "At this stage I won't be standing but if people like Graeme Hughes, Paul Dunn and Andrew Farrar do decide to run, they will get my support because over the last few years the club has just gone backwards.
"We've lost the two best front-rowers in the game in Mark O'Meley and Roy Asotasi and we just seem to keep losing players, so there has to be a problem there somewhere and it all starts at the top.
"I think a lot of the ex-players feel that way, and when I speak to people on the street you hear the same thing. We've been successful for 75 years and we want to be successful for the next 75 years but if we keep going the way we are, then, in my opinion, we won't be."
Those wishing to contest for Board positions at the Bulldogs have to be a voting member for at least the last three years or a Life Member and have until 4pm today to nominate for positions. The AGM is to be held on Sunday 17th February where it should be interesting to say the least.
The CFMEU Canberra Raiders and the City and Belconnen AFP branches have joined forces this month, to help with the popular Movember campaign.
Over the course of Movember, members of the Belconnen and City AFP outfits challenged each other to grow the best mo, with Matt Carpenter from the Belconnen team declared the official winner.
The Raiders Senior Leadership Group were the official sponsors of the challenge and donated $500 to the winning team, which will now be donated to the Movember cause.
As part of the month Raiders flyer Adrian Purtell took the chance to represent the Raiders along with teammate Terry Campese, as a means to further raise awareness for the cause.
Purtell said Movember was an excellent way to raise awareness and money for a great cause, and was happy to have his top lip hairy for 30 days.
"It's been fun and at the same time we've helped raise some money which will help fight the Movember causes of male depression and prostate cancer," Purtell said. "Both Terry and I have enjoyed growing our mo's and its something we'll probably be involved with again next year."
AFP Deputy Police Chief Officer Shane Connelly said he was proud of the efforts made by both squads during Movember, and thanked the Raiders for their continued support.
"I think its really important, we've got a lot of men in the Police force obviously and Men's health is often forgotten, and men can be reluctant to do something about their health, so if we can promote men's health through this worthwhile cause and men's illness than it's a great thing," Deputy Police Chief Connelly said. "We've got a great relationship with the Raiders and they're obviously involved with health and sport, and if they can encourage kids to get involved in sport than that's a terrific thing because sport keeps kids out of trouble."
Ray Haffenden has been elected the New Zealand Rugby League's new chairman after Andrew Chalmers resigned before today's board meeting.
Chalmers told the directors he had reached his decision due to on-going pressure on his family and his own business commitments.
The board also received resignations from its three independent directors Glenda Hughes, Simon Doig and Eddie Mathews. With Chalmers resigning, they said they had decided to stand aside to enable the remaining elected directors to set the platform for the game's future.
Haffenden, a former Kiwi manager, said the board would continue to function with its remaining five directors until the NZRL's annual meeting early next year.
"Today's developments have presented us with challenges but we're committed to doing all we can to see the game through this," he said.
The board noted Chalmers had been responsible for a number of achievements during his term as chairman. These included:
* Renegotiating the Tri Nations agreement, enabling the NZRL to re-craft its television and commercial arrangements to ensure the commercial value of the Kiwis is maximised.
* Rebuilding relationships with the NZRL's international and commercial partners.
* Initiating and leading the independent governance review which had resulted in the NZRL's constitutional reforms.
* Instigating special advisory panel meetings to ensure consultation with members.
* Leading the competitions reform which was unanimously supported by a vote at a meeting in Wellington.
* Leaving the game with an improved commercial television deal as well as improved ball supplier, kit supplier and licensing deals.
Chalmers has agreed to continue to assist with the completion of negotiations of current commercial arrangements
The WOW Brisbane Broncos have today announced Peter Nolan will be their new football manager.
Nolan will take over the role to be vacated by Andrew Gee when the club resumes from the Christmas-New Year break in January.
Nolan has been promoted from within the club after starting in a full-time capacity with the Broncos back in November 2001.
He began as development manager then, but had previously worked for the club as assistant coach of feeder club Toowoomba Clydesdales.
Most recently he has been overseeing the Broncos' High Performance Unit as Elite Player Development Manager, a post he has held since 2005.
"This is a just reward for Peter after the six years he has been with us," said Broncos' chief executive Bruno Cullen.
"He is widely regarded as an astute rugby league administrator, particularly in the work he has done with our elite player development in the high performance unit.
"He has always had a good eye for recruitment and the game in general, and that is what makes us so confident he will do a very good job as football manager."
Nolan has had a long career already in rugby league, first as a player and then first grade coach on Queensland's Darling Downs.
In a further move, Gee will step into the role of sponsorship manager, which was previously filled by Terry Reader.
Wigan Warriors can today confirm that hot prospects Ben Kavanagh, Thomas Coyle, Lee Mossop, Nicky Stanton, Joel Tomkins and Sam Tomkins have all signed contracts committing their futures to the Club.
Kavanagh, Coyle, Mossop, Sam Tomkins and Stanton have all impressed with their performances in the Warriors Senior Academy side in 2007 while Joel Tomkins spent the second half of 2007 on loan at Widnes Vikings. All have been rewarded with full-time contracts.
Ian Lenagan, Chairman said:
"A key part of our strategy for the future is to give young players who have proven their worth and their commitment to the Club the opportunity to progress to the First Team."
Speaking about the players, Head Coach Brian Noble said,
"I am pleased that we have secured the futures of these young athletes. They all played their part in the Senior Academy team in 2007 which finished top of the table losing only one game in the regular season.
"It shows that the Club continues to look towards the future. Wigan has a great history of producing talented young players and these six are further proof of the quality youth development structures that are in place.
"A huge benefit for these youngsters in becoming full-time professionals is training alongside the first team squad, gaining invaluable experience from being around the likes of Sean O'Loughlin, Richard Mathers, Trent Barrett, Pat Richards and Phil Bailey."
FACT FILES
Name: Ben Kavanagh
Position: Second Row
Age: 19
Previous Club: Siddal ARLFC (Halifax)
2007 Stats: 20 + 1 (sub) appearances for Senior Academy in 2007 scoring 4 tries
Ben won the Edwards-Johnson Memorial Trophy in 2007 as the outstanding Senior Academy player. Ben has represented Yorkshire at junior level, England Schoolboys and England Academy
Name: Lee Mossop
Position: Second Row
Age: 18
Previous Club: Hensingham ARLFC (Cumbria)
2007 Stats: 5 + 9 (sub) appearances for Senior Academy scoring 2 tries
Lee has represented North West Counties at junior level, England Schoolboys and England Academy
Name: Thomas Coyle
Position: Scrum Half
Age: 19
School: St John Fisher
Previous Club: Wigan St Patricks ARLFC
2007 Stats: 19 + 1 appearances in Senior Academy scoring 8 tries and 1 goal
Thomas has represented North West Counties at junior level, England Schoolboys and England Academy
Name: Nicky Stanton
Position: Winger
Age: 18
School: St John Fisher
Previous Club: Wigan St Patricks ARLFC
2007 Stats: 22 appearances in Senior Academy in 2007 scoring 20 tries and 96 goals
Nicky has represented England Academy.
Name: Sam Tomkins
Position: Stand Off
Age: 18
DOB: 23/03/1989
Previous Club: Wigan St Patricks
2007 Stats 13+4 appearances in the Senior Academy scoring 16 tries
Sam has represented North West Counties at junior level and England Academy
Name: Joel Tomkins
Position: Loose Forward
Age: 20
DOB: 21/03/1987
Previous Club: Wigan St Patricks ARLFC
Career Stats: 26 appearances for the first team scoring 4 tries
Joel has represented North West Counties at junior level, England Schoolboys and Great Britain Academy
News 2007
News 2007
