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**NRL doesn't care if Wests Tigers stay in Balmain, says Leichhardt mayor**
Date August 15
Michael Carayannis
Leichhardt Council has hit out at the NRL, accusing the game's bosses of “not giving a damn” if the Wests Tigers remain in its Balmain heartland.
Balmain’s viability in the joint-venture with Western Suburbs remains vulnerable following the uncertainty surrounding the Balmain Leagues Club’s Victoria Road development.
The long-running battle over the development is in the hands of the local council after the most recent proposal – for 247 apartments in two towers, at 24 and 20 storeys high, and parking for almost 500 cars – was rejected by the independent Planning Assessment Commission in April.
The developers – Rozelle Village – have been trying to put the club into receivership over debts of more than $11 million, which could be the death knell for the Tigers involvement in rugby league at the elite level.
Mayor Darcy Byrne wrote to NRL chief executive Dave Smith on May 16 following a Save the Tigers meeting, which about 100 people attended. Byrne has yet to receive a response.
“Failing to even respond to a letter in almost three months indicates that they don’t give a damn if the Tigers survive or not,” Byrne said. “Without a Balmain Tigers football club there is a real risk that we won’t see games played at Leichhardt Oval in the future and the Wests Tigers revert to being the Magpies.
“Given the seriousness of the situation, the ARL Commission should be displaying a lot more energy to assist the club.”
An NRL spokesman said the governing body would hold off making decisions about the long-term future of the Tigers until it finalised an independent board at the club. It is understood the process is close to completion.
“The most important thing we can do is ensure the Wests Tigers have strong, consistent leadership and that’s what we want to achieve with the new board,” the spokesman said.
“Once the board is in place we will continue to look at ways to ensure the Wests Tigers have a secure long-term future.”
Financially, Balmain are at the Magpies' mercy. Byrne is leading the campaign to set up a foundation which would see Balmain raise money through diehard fans or benefactors – similar to the model used by the AFL’s Richmond Tigers in 2011.
“The council has resolved to assist outside of making financial contributions,” Byrne said.
“[We’ll provide] legal advice and public promotion of a foundation when it’s set up. We’ve made it clear to the Balmain Football Club that we are ready to assist with that and we really need the ARL Commission to at least start talking to us to make sure that one of the most iconic and historic brands doesn’t become extinct.
“It feels like the council is the only one fighting to ensure the Tigers remain part of the joint-venture.”
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Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/nrl-doesnt-care-if-wests-tigers-stay-in-balmain-says-leichhardt-mayor-20140814-1040oh.html#ixzz3APYAq73J
Date August 15
Michael Carayannis
Leichhardt Council has hit out at the NRL, accusing the game's bosses of “not giving a damn” if the Wests Tigers remain in its Balmain heartland.
Balmain’s viability in the joint-venture with Western Suburbs remains vulnerable following the uncertainty surrounding the Balmain Leagues Club’s Victoria Road development.
The long-running battle over the development is in the hands of the local council after the most recent proposal – for 247 apartments in two towers, at 24 and 20 storeys high, and parking for almost 500 cars – was rejected by the independent Planning Assessment Commission in April.
The developers – Rozelle Village – have been trying to put the club into receivership over debts of more than $11 million, which could be the death knell for the Tigers involvement in rugby league at the elite level.
Mayor Darcy Byrne wrote to NRL chief executive Dave Smith on May 16 following a Save the Tigers meeting, which about 100 people attended. Byrne has yet to receive a response.
“Failing to even respond to a letter in almost three months indicates that they don’t give a damn if the Tigers survive or not,” Byrne said. “Without a Balmain Tigers football club there is a real risk that we won’t see games played at Leichhardt Oval in the future and the Wests Tigers revert to being the Magpies.
“Given the seriousness of the situation, the ARL Commission should be displaying a lot more energy to assist the club.”
An NRL spokesman said the governing body would hold off making decisions about the long-term future of the Tigers until it finalised an independent board at the club. It is understood the process is close to completion.
“The most important thing we can do is ensure the Wests Tigers have strong, consistent leadership and that’s what we want to achieve with the new board,” the spokesman said.
“Once the board is in place we will continue to look at ways to ensure the Wests Tigers have a secure long-term future.”
Financially, Balmain are at the Magpies' mercy. Byrne is leading the campaign to set up a foundation which would see Balmain raise money through diehard fans or benefactors – similar to the model used by the AFL’s Richmond Tigers in 2011.
“The council has resolved to assist outside of making financial contributions,” Byrne said.
“[We’ll provide] legal advice and public promotion of a foundation when it’s set up. We’ve made it clear to the Balmain Football Club that we are ready to assist with that and we really need the ARL Commission to at least start talking to us to make sure that one of the most iconic and historic brands doesn’t become extinct.
“It feels like the council is the only one fighting to ensure the Tigers remain part of the joint-venture.”
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Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/nrl-doesnt-care-if-wests-tigers-stay-in-balmain-says-leichhardt-mayor-20140814-1040oh.html#ixzz3APYAq73J
