Save Our Sides Protest Rally - SUN 05FEB11

[Yossarian]

STATEMENT FROM WESTS ASHFIELD LEAGUES CLUB
13/01/2012 2:00:01 PM
The Board of Wests Ashfield Leagues Club would like to make the following points in relation to matters raised in the media in the past few days.
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Wests Ashfield Leagues is a shareholder in the joint venture known as Wests Tigers. Wests Ashfield Leagues has continued to work with Wests Tigers to achieve the best possible outcomes for the joint venture, whilst continuing to support and respect the heritage, history, and contribution of the Western Suburbs District Rugby League Club – The Magpies.
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Wests Ashfield Leagues has agreed, in principle, to support the conduct of a single NSW Cup team, representative of both JV clubs, in season 2013\. Furthermore, Wests Tigers and Wests Ashfield Leagues have agreed that –
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o Western Suburbs Magpies is recognised as the district club in the Campbelltown area,
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o Western Suburbs Magpies will continue to participate (as the Magpies) in junior representative Harold Matthews and S G Ball and, where appropriate, other competitions,
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o Western Suburbs Magpies retains all of its rights, including the ability to review the operation of a single State Cup team in future years,
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o Wests Tigers continues to work with Western Suburbs Magpies to ensure that appropriate pathways are met for the junior Rugby League players in the south west,
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o The 2013 combined State Cup playing strip would alternate between Wests and Balmain colours.
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Wests Ashfield Leagues recognises the significant financial contribution required to meet obligations to all Rugby League stakeholders and the need to prioritise the appropriation of available funding to meet these needs.
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Wests Ashfield Leagues Club Deputy Chairman Russell Smith said it was important to keep focus on the real issues at play in this situation.
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“Wests Ashfield Leagues remains totally committed to the continuing sustainable role of Wests Magpies as a vital component in the structure of Rugby League to continue to provide a well defined and positive pathway for aspiring players in the Campbelltown and surrounding regions,’’ Mr Smith said.
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“We have confidence in the management of the Wests Tigers joint venture as portrayed in the results that have been achieved in the recent past.”
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Changes to the Wests Magpies Board will take affect next week, and the new Board will work closely with all stakeholders to ensure all normal operations and functions of a district club continue in what will be a fruitful 2012 season and a bright future.
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http://www.weststigers.com.au/?s=article-display&id=46253&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook

That all sounds quite reasonable and sensible to me.

 

[galahs]

I was genuinely hopefully Wests Ashfield wouldn't do that….

They have removed their 4 members from the Magpies board who were Magpie aligned, replaced them with 4 new members who I fear might just toe Ashfields line.

That gives them the majority, and essentially a 4th position on the Wests Tigers board giving them the Wests Tigers the unanimous decision they need to do this.

 

[Tiger_Watto]

It appears Ashfield has done something the Magpies couldnt… Sit down like adults with the Wests Tigers and agree on a way moving forward.

I might stop by Ashfields Leagues Club next time I'm in Sydney and put a few coins in thier machines?!

 

[Yossarian]

It appears Ashfield has done something the Magpies couldnt… Sit down like adults with the Wests Tigers and agree on a way moving forward.

I might stop by Ashfields Leagues Club next time I'm in Sydney and put a few coins in thier machines?!

Let me know if they still have the Benji Burger!

 

[Gary_Bakerloo]

It appears Ashfield has done something the Magpies couldnt… Sit down like adults with the Wests Tigers and agree on a way moving forward.

I might stop by Ashfields Leagues Club next time I'm in Sydney and put a few coins in thier machines?!

I think you will find Wests Ashfield has always have a good relationship with Wests Tigers. The internal fighting between the Wests Group has probably been tolerated because it did not have much potential to cause harm.

However, the announcement of the protest rally and the GWS encroachment has put the Campbelltown area under the microscope, as well as the role of Western Suburbs. There is now a viable threat to Wests Tigers in the Campbelltown area so Ashfield has moved to quell the internal fighting and get Wests Tigers more involved in the area.

We will only be stronger from here and who knows, maybe Wests Ashfield may change their name to Wests Tigers Ashfield….

 

[galahs]

Listen to 2SM at 5:30pm

http://www.2sm.com.au

1269 AM

 

[happy_tiger]

It appears Ashfield has done something the Magpies couldnt… Sit down like adults with the Wests Tigers and agree on a way moving forward.

I might stop by Ashfields Leagues Club next time I'm in Sydney and put a few coins in thier machines?!

The security staff will be keeping a close eye out for you Watto :sunglasses:

 

[innsaneink]

Listen to 2SM at 5:30pm

http://www.2sm.com.au

1269 AM

Gobbs

 

[AJ1]

It appears Ashfield has done something the Magpies couldnt… Sit down like adults with the Wests Tigers and agree on a way moving forward.

I might stop by Ashfields Leagues Club next time I'm in Sydney and put a few coins in thier machines?!

Let me know if they still have the Benji Burger!

They got rid of it a few years ago as the restaurants have changed hands a few times.

They've now got Keato's Pizza & Grill, named after former Wests FB Bill Keato. No current player inspired items on the menu though

 

[AJ1]

We will only be stronger from here and who knows, maybe Wests Ashfield may change their name to Wests Tigers Ashfield….

I hope so. It would be great to go to Wests Tigers Ashfield following a home Sydney game

 

[Demonborger]

District based recruitment rules are dead, they screwed the player and damaged the vitality of the comp.
Teams recruit based upon perceived merit, tho this doesn't mean who decides will be correct.
Professional business have no obligation to hire based upon locality before merit.
If you want a job you will have to compete against others for it, why should this be any different for professional footballers?
The game is international and intra city.
State cup has a tiny supporter based and is subsidized to semi pro status only because of its function as a reserve grade for the NRL
Jnr league should serve as recreation and fun, it shouldn't be a professional football factory - you want to lose to the AFL it begins by pushing away the normal kids who won't be the next benji or sbw.
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I think we should only have 1 reserve team, 2 is a waste of money to only satisfy a handful, how the team is coloured and called is debatable.
Honestly there is a good chance we will see a radical restructure of reserve grade and the state comps under the new IC.

Some of the people involved in this could easily become part of a reality tv show ala todlers in tiaras or dancing moms with all the drama provided.

 

[galahs]

Magpie Director Daniel Watson-Hayes on 2SM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihXWJLG0SI0

 

[Snake]

Actually I thought Mr Watson spoke quite well and was a realist with the facts ..unfortunatly things change and might I say for the better.He was a bit pessimistic about the future of the WSJFL I disagree and the new directors should be positive about the future as the area is abound with young people looking for a start in the great game of league. If all partys stay true to the cause this should be the start to a great future for all. But I supose old divisions run deep but the true mark of a man is to rise above this and succeed as there is a lot of young people relying on it.

 

[Guest]

Roy's article looked like it was written by the protest organisers with a few additional thoughts from Roy himself. That was my impression anyway. I repeat again, I'm not saying he was wrong about everything but it was not hard to realise where his sympathies lie.

I did not get that impression at all. My view was that Roy is writing it predominantly from the perspective of Wests Ashfield. His article is very critical of how Western Suburbs have run the Campbelltown area, hence identifying the friction between Wests Campbelltown and Western Suburbs Football Club. He is not critical of Wests Tigers and actually notes the positive steps they are taking to shore up the area.

Agree with GB. Would have been nice to have this article following Galahs original post.

 

[Guest]

I was genuinely hopefully Wests Ashfield wouldn't do that….

They have removed their 4 members from the Magpies board who were Magpie aligned, replaced them with 4 new members who I fear might just toe Ashfields line.

That gives them the majority, and essentially a 4th position on the Wests Tigers board giving them the Wests Tigers the unanimous decision they need to do this.

Thing is Galahs, the majority of people probably don't have a problem with that.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

To me, the biggest issue is making sure WT put as much effort into the Liverppol/Macarthur reigon as they do with Inner Sydney. Thats the only issue as far as i'm concerned

 

[T-D-C]

From what I read in the Wests Ashfield statement that is what they & the Wests tigers want from this new direction as well!

Its seems like everyone is on the same page except for the Magpies supporters who can't see or don't understand that by streamlining the business and the teams it free's up the ability to support and grow the region.

 

[1_4_chicken_chips]

The Wests junior area could not be stronger at this very moment .This whole argument or debate has nothing to do with the juniors .Take that as gospel.
I noticed nobody could tell me who the Mcarthur Bulls are or were.

 

[quintus]

Black and Gold will never fold….

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Black and Gold will never fold….

Don't get caught up living in the past like others have the last few dayz champ. We are WT, and our colours are Black, Gold and White, and don't you forget it