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http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/angry-western-suburbs-may-split-from-balmain-in-nsw-cup/story-e6frexnr-1226533155005
Western Suburbs Magpies members will vote on whether to separate from Balmain at NSW Cup level next season. Picture: Mark Evans Source: The Daily Telegraph
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THE seemingly happy marriage between Balmain and Western Suburbs is starting to crack.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal that Western Suburbs members will vote this week on whether to split from Balmain at NSW Cup level next season.
Western Suburbs district rugby league football club has called a general meeting this Saturday from 9am where a member's resolution will read: "That the Western Suburbs Rugby League Football Club do not become part of a joint venture agreement with Balmain Rugby League Club to form a team called Wests Tigers in the NSW State Cup in 2013."
There is no indication the split will reach NRL level, but it certainly appears there are simmering tensions between the two clubs.
It's widely known that old club loyalties often cause animosity on the NRL club's board.
Wests will retain their identity this coming year by competing in the third-tier Bundy Cup competition – but the club wants to stay in the NSW Cup as the Magpies.
Western Suburbs played this year in the NSW Cup, but did not win a game.
Remarkably, former Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens moved his fringe players back to Balmain Ryde-Eastwood, not Wests.
Balmain Ryde-Eastwood eventually made the NSW Cup grand final.
Rather that have two feeder teams in the NSW Cup, club officials have decided to field a Wests Tigers side.
Wests loyalists aren't happy.
"This was put forward by the members so we are obliged to follow it through," said Magpies director Bob Cairns.
"A lot of members when the joint venture was first mooted wanted to keep the Magpies in the State Cup."
Wests have about 300 voting members.
Meanwhile, a Sydney mayor has angrily hit out at suggestions rugby league will shortly shift away from Leichhardt Oval.
The State Government's stadium strategy -- which will significantly reduce investment into suburban grounds -- could spell the end for local grounds like Leichhardt Oval, Brookvale Oval, Campelltown Stadium, Kogarah Oval and Centrebet Stadium.
Tigers CEO Stephen Humphreys suggested Leichhardt may soon be unable to host NRL games -- a statement that angered Leichhardt mayor Darcy Byrne.
"Leichhardt Oval is the most popular and iconic rugby league venue in Australia. The idea that the Tigers should cease playing games there altogether is ludicrous," Byrne said.
"The four games played there at present is not enough. To be frank, the Tigers may have made the finals more often in recent years if they had played more games at their spiritual home.
"The club's members, fans and local residents overwhelming support more, not less, games at Leichhardt.
"The Government, NRL and Wests Tigers need to listen to what the fans want and ensure that this famous ground is not abandoned.
"Council owns the ground and I will be inviting the club to sit down with me to discuss what is needed to keep the Tigers at Leichhardt.
"This should include expanding community use of the ground through children and youth programs."
In 2010, the Federal Government spent more than $3 million into upgrading corporate facilities at Leichhardt Oval.
Western Suburbs Magpies members will vote on whether to separate from Balmain at NSW Cup level next season. Picture: Mark Evans Source: The Daily Telegraph
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\
THE seemingly happy marriage between Balmain and Western Suburbs is starting to crack.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal that Western Suburbs members will vote this week on whether to split from Balmain at NSW Cup level next season.
Western Suburbs district rugby league football club has called a general meeting this Saturday from 9am where a member's resolution will read: "That the Western Suburbs Rugby League Football Club do not become part of a joint venture agreement with Balmain Rugby League Club to form a team called Wests Tigers in the NSW State Cup in 2013."
There is no indication the split will reach NRL level, but it certainly appears there are simmering tensions between the two clubs.
It's widely known that old club loyalties often cause animosity on the NRL club's board.
Wests will retain their identity this coming year by competing in the third-tier Bundy Cup competition – but the club wants to stay in the NSW Cup as the Magpies.
Western Suburbs played this year in the NSW Cup, but did not win a game.
Remarkably, former Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens moved his fringe players back to Balmain Ryde-Eastwood, not Wests.
Balmain Ryde-Eastwood eventually made the NSW Cup grand final.
Rather that have two feeder teams in the NSW Cup, club officials have decided to field a Wests Tigers side.
Wests loyalists aren't happy.
"This was put forward by the members so we are obliged to follow it through," said Magpies director Bob Cairns.
"A lot of members when the joint venture was first mooted wanted to keep the Magpies in the State Cup."
Wests have about 300 voting members.
Meanwhile, a Sydney mayor has angrily hit out at suggestions rugby league will shortly shift away from Leichhardt Oval.
The State Government's stadium strategy -- which will significantly reduce investment into suburban grounds -- could spell the end for local grounds like Leichhardt Oval, Brookvale Oval, Campelltown Stadium, Kogarah Oval and Centrebet Stadium.
Tigers CEO Stephen Humphreys suggested Leichhardt may soon be unable to host NRL games -- a statement that angered Leichhardt mayor Darcy Byrne.
"Leichhardt Oval is the most popular and iconic rugby league venue in Australia. The idea that the Tigers should cease playing games there altogether is ludicrous," Byrne said.
"The four games played there at present is not enough. To be frank, the Tigers may have made the finals more often in recent years if they had played more games at their spiritual home.
"The club's members, fans and local residents overwhelming support more, not less, games at Leichhardt.
"The Government, NRL and Wests Tigers need to listen to what the fans want and ensure that this famous ground is not abandoned.
"Council owns the ground and I will be inviting the club to sit down with me to discuss what is needed to keep the Tigers at Leichhardt.
"This should include expanding community use of the ground through children and youth programs."
In 2010, the Federal Government spent more than $3 million into upgrading corporate facilities at Leichhardt Oval.
