A talking point of the NRL’s so called demise over the weekend (a bit of truth and whole lot of Telecrap beat up) was about the grounds. Is the future ANZ Stadium (unless the AFL snag it) or does the heart of league still beat in the grass roots of the old suburban grounds?
David Gallop, unfortunately is increasingly adopting the crafted, on message at all costs answers to the issue.
In the Sun Herald Gallop was asked about ANZ Stadium. His response:
SH: Are you concerned that moving games to Homebush Bay is alienating fans?
DG: Homebush offers comfortable transport access and financial rewards; suburban grounds offer great atmosphere, but standing up looking into the sun and queuing for food, drinks and the toilets can wear thin. Striking a balance is what we want to see. A few years ago we were not at a point where our crowds were big enough to have to make a choice.
In response, 17,000 people turned up at Leichhardt to revel looking into the sun, queuing for food, drinks (at prices a family can afford) and the toilets. I bet they loved. I’ve been to Leichhardt a few times and yes, the facilities are very 70s but it is a great ground for watching league. If the same crowd had been transplanted to ANZ, you’d have no atmosphere and people needing binoculars just to see the action from the sidelined seats. ANZ can be wonderful if there is a large, vocal crowd. For example, one year against the Broncos, the Eels fans numbered 30,000 and had the stadium humming.
But for most NRL games, the fans are lost when they go to ANZ.
The Tigers CEO, Steve Noyce, admitted that the club’s corporate sponsors like the Homebush facilities. And they are quite swish. But Leichhardt should not be abandoned. A new grandstand and some better facilities (but keeping the hill) would still make it a great league ground with capacity for around 25,000. Along with Brookvale Oval, Leichhardt should be upgraded with the future of league in mind but beholden to what makes the game great.
Gallop may have been pragmatic when he stated after the Tigers v Titans game that “The match is a reminder of the charm of playing at a suburban ground. But charm doesn’t pay the bills.” But ignoring what fans want or the advice of players past and present, will harm the bottom line even more.
9 responses so far ↓
Mungo Amanda // May 27, 2008 at 6:30 pm
If the clubs get $100,000 per game at ANZ regardless of crowd I don’t see any likelihood they will be moving away any time soon.
Shaun // May 27, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Unless the AFL buy ANZ as mooted in today’s Crikey. I bet the grants would dry up quick smart.
Jason // May 28, 2008 at 8:00 am
On the grounds, maybe it’s not an either/or. I’ve been to games at Dairy Farmers over a few years which is a new stadium with modern facilities, but which is small enough so that the fans aren’t lost in it. Assisting with the upgrade of suburban grounds would send a signal that the NRL is finally beginning to understand that club traditions are important.
I take MA’s point about the 100K a game at ANZ, but wouldn’t 17,000 fans week-in, week-out make up for that? And whether or not the AFL cut that deal off at the knees, it can’t be sustainable to be panhandling to a stadium for money.
Shaun // May 28, 2008 at 8:45 am
Yep, upgrading suburban grounds is the key. With ANZ it was a case of if we build it they will come not working well.
You’re right that the handouts are not a good business plan.
john Ryan // May 28, 2008 at 2:50 pm
If the AFL buy the ground and put the club into West Sydney they will go broke,how often are they going to use it.
What happens the rest of the time? I hope they do the sooner those arrogant pricks are cut down to size the better
Shaun // May 28, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I doubt if the AFL would block league totally from using ANZ. But they would very likely stop any continuing largesse to the NRL from using the stadium.
I’d like to see a breakdown of costs for a game at ANZ v revenue and then the same for a ground like Leichhardt.
Shaun // May 28, 2008 at 10:17 pm
I’d like to see a breakdown of costs for a game at ANZ v revenue and then the same for a ground like Leichhardt.
Watching the excellent NRL on Fox earlier this evening (10 x 9’s so called Footy Show) I got an answer.
Steve Noyce, the Tigers CEO was on and commented that they start a game at Leichhardt $55K in the red (staff, catering etc). At ANZ they start even with costs already paid.
Another point he made was that by limiting the games at Leichhardt, they maximize the advantage of the ground as a “special” game. It was a great interview and the Tigers approach to memberships sounds interesting as well.
Bismark O'Measles // May 28, 2008 at 10:48 pm
But if they start 55k down, they only have to bring in an extra 2,200 (at $25 a ticket) to make that up. I’m sure they do that on the few Leichhardt days each season (21,000 is the norm nowadays as you know Shaun)
I agree with Jason – Blue Tongue is the same – a nice well-appointed, easy access ground without the impersonal ‘Stadiumism’ of ANZ etc. If only they had a hill and a home team!
Investment is the key and local councils have the conch. Leichhardt have been promising to upgrade Mary Street to a multi-purpose stadium and Tigers nest for years – the price was touted to be $5mil which doesn’t seem to be that bad given the potential uses – the soccer Tigers are looking for a replacement for Lambert Park at the very least… I’m sure there’s some Union clubs in the area…
5 Mil would also include a gym (more income) and club house with permanent bar (POKIES !!!!). Heck, Tigers club in Vic Rd are on hard times, why not try & consolidate the two?
Onb a related topic, Ashfield Council just spent over $200,000 doing up Praton Park – Wests spirital home – replacing rotten woodwork and repainting the stadium / bleachers etc.. Nice to see it’s all been vandalised by grafitti artists already within 6 months of opening. That’s what happens to under-used stadiums.
Club Troppo » Missing Link Daily // Jul 22, 2008 at 7:16 am
[...] believes that NRL clubs might go broke if they keep playing at suburban clubs, but they’ll also go broke if they ignore their supporters, who seem to prefer the suburban [...]