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The Australian 7/12/12
ST GEORGE Illawarra's bid to snare Craig Bellamy from Melbourne threatens to be undermined by a drastic cut in the club's funding from the St George Leagues Club.
The Dragons have been among the prime movers in the race to secure Bellamy from 2014 – The Weekend Australian was told the club had informed coach Steve Price of its plans to speak to the premiership-winning mentor.
However, the Dragons' financial state could significantly affect that pursuit. While Bellamy would no doubt help the club with corporate support, the ultimate decision on where he coaches after next season will no doubt be influenced by the football budget he has at his disposal.
In Melbourne, Bellamy has one of the best-financed football departments in the game thanks to the financial muscle of owner News Limited. The Warriors, who were interested in Bellamy before signing Matthew Elliott, were also ready to throw money at their football department thanks to the largesse of owners Eric Watson and Owen Glenn.
The Dragons have no such benefactor and rely to a large extent on the money they receive from the St George Leagues Club. That funding is set to suffer a significant cutback next year.
Chief executive Danny Robinson confirmed the leagues club was reviewing its funding and was not in a position to continue to make multi-million-dollar grants to the Dragons.
"What we have always said is we will look at our funding as we go through the year," he said.
"We haven't settled on a figure (for 2013). In fairness, we have been paying beyond our means for the last couple of years on the basis that we would give them until the year 2013 when a new television contract would be in place and the club grant from the commission would be increased."
Over the past decade, St George Leagues Club has invested $30 million in supporting rugby league. However, it has begun winding back its investment.
In 2010, the Dragons received a grant of $3m. Last year, it was reduced to $2.750m, and this season it was $2m.
ST GEORGE Illawarra's bid to snare Craig Bellamy from Melbourne threatens to be undermined by a drastic cut in the club's funding from the St George Leagues Club.
The Dragons have been among the prime movers in the race to secure Bellamy from 2014 – The Weekend Australian was told the club had informed coach Steve Price of its plans to speak to the premiership-winning mentor.
However, the Dragons' financial state could significantly affect that pursuit. While Bellamy would no doubt help the club with corporate support, the ultimate decision on where he coaches after next season will no doubt be influenced by the football budget he has at his disposal.
In Melbourne, Bellamy has one of the best-financed football departments in the game thanks to the financial muscle of owner News Limited. The Warriors, who were interested in Bellamy before signing Matthew Elliott, were also ready to throw money at their football department thanks to the largesse of owners Eric Watson and Owen Glenn.
The Dragons have no such benefactor and rely to a large extent on the money they receive from the St George Leagues Club. That funding is set to suffer a significant cutback next year.
Chief executive Danny Robinson confirmed the leagues club was reviewing its funding and was not in a position to continue to make multi-million-dollar grants to the Dragons.
"What we have always said is we will look at our funding as we go through the year," he said.
"We haven't settled on a figure (for 2013). In fairness, we have been paying beyond our means for the last couple of years on the basis that we would give them until the year 2013 when a new television contract would be in place and the club grant from the commission would be increased."
Over the past decade, St George Leagues Club has invested $30 million in supporting rugby league. However, it has begun winding back its investment.
In 2010, the Dragons received a grant of $3m. Last year, it was reduced to $2.750m, and this season it was $2m.
