A peaceful "Save Our Sides" Rugby League Protest Rally will be held at Campbelltown in the hope of getting a better deal for the Macarthur region.
The protest Rally will be held this Sunday (5th February 2012) starting at Campbelltown Council at 10am and will march to Campbelltown Stadium where the crowd will be addressed by key note speakers.
The three main issues:
- The killing of the Western Suburbs Magpies from NSW Cup
- Local Campbelltown Clubs not being allowed to Play and Train in Campbelltown
- Wests Tigers only playing 4 games a year at Campbelltown Stadium
Killing the Western Suburbs Magpies
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Wests Tigers are pressuring Wests Ashfield Leagues club to to kill off the last local senior representative team in the Macarthur area.
Wests Tigers want to replace the Western Suburbs Magpies NSW Cup side with teams based in the inner city at Concord.
Wests Tigers want a single NSW Cup team and are also forming an alliance with a Bundy Cup team based at Concord for the excess fringe players.
The Wests Tigers do not provide any financial support of the Magpies NSW Cup team with the majority of the funding coming from Wests Ashfield Leagues Club.
Wests Campbelltown Leagues Club also do not provide any financial support of the Magpies and have been voting inline with Balmain Tigers in the Wests Tigers board room meetings to dissolve the Magpies NSW Cup team.
As of 2012, the Wests Tigers have stopped ALL support of the Wests Magpies in the NSW Cup whilst continuing to fully support the Balmain Tigers.
The Magpies NSW Cup team is currently operating off a $300,000 grant from Wests Ashfield Leagues club for 2012. No funding has been promised for 2013.
The Western Suburbs Magpies will celebrate their 104th birthday the day before the Rally on the 4th of February.
Local Campbelltown Sides
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Three local senior Campbelltown clubs have had their request to play and train in Campbelltown denied by the NSWRL
The three clubs are the Campbelltown Eagles, Campbelltown City Kangaroos (Seniors) and the Macarthur Bulls
These three local clubs have left the Wests Junior League Competition after their players voted unanimously to join the neighboring Group 6 competition.
The players stated they wanted to be a part of a well run competition where you could actually play good football and not just worry about getting 'bashed"
The players whilst not happy about it, have been willing to travel the extra distances to continue to play in Group 6.
The Wests Junior League with the backing of Wests Tigers, NSWRL and Campbelltown Council have prevented these sides from securing the use of their own home grounds in Campbelltown claiming they have a viable competition they must play in.
The three clubs all stated if forced to return to the Wests junior League they will struggle to field senior teams as their players will flock to Group 6 sides for the better standard of competition.
The Wests Junior League competition has been constantly marred with violence and the Administrations failure to address this issue has scared off many potential players and now entire clubs.
The three clubs just want their senior sides to be able to play and train in Campbelltown whilst competing in the Group 6 competition.
The clubs are happy for their junior teams to continue in the Wests Junior League Competition but would like to see an investigation carried out into the health of the competitions administration.
Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium
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Campbelltown Stadium had its NRL games reduced from six games to three in 2005 when Wests Tigers claimed that the corporate facilities were inadequate and that it cost too much to hire extra lighting and a big screen television.
The ground has since then had over $8 million spent on it from Government grants to meet Wests Tigers requirements.
In 2012 Wests Tigers will play just four NRL home games at Campbelltown Stadium whilst it plays eight game in the inner city at Leichhardt Oval and the Sydney Football Stadium.
Local fans fear the strong Rugby League area may become the focus of a take over by the cashed up AFL as they continue their push into Western Sydney
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An online petition has been started at www.wests.co.nr
Organisers of the Rally urge local residents to get behind the cause for a fair go for our kids and our area.
People attending the rally are advised to bring water, hats and to dress in their Local Club, Magpies or Wests Tigers jerseys.
If this rally fails to generate the desired outcomes, further protest action has already been planned.
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Public Transport is recommended if possible with train and bus service available to take people to and from Leumeah and Campbelltown Stations.
We advise those driving to park your car at Campbelltown and just catch the train back from Leumeah Station.
For those unable to walk the whole distance, join the march from the Campbelltown Council at 10am. We will first march 500 meters to Langdone Ave. Here those not wanting to march the entire distance will be able to return to their cars and drive to Leumeah for the 2nd half of the Protest March as we march down Old Leumeah Road past the Wests Leagues Club and into the Campbelltown Stadium Car Park.
If you are fit enough to walk the whole distance (Approx 2.5km) we would encourage you to do so.
Please be advised media agencies will be invited to photograph the event.
MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE ACTUAL ROUTE OF THE MARCH
http://s9.zetaboards.com/Wests_Magpies_Forum/single/?p=8251807&t=7318595
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Quotes from Rally organiser Graeme Szynal regarding the Wests Tigers
"We all support the Wests Tigers, we just want a fair go for the local kids and our region"
"Wests Magpies offered to be Wests Tigers sole NSW Cup feeder team, but they rejected the offer"
"The Magpies are a rare part of our games history that dates back to day zero. Why is everyone so keen to kill it off?"
"We need more local opportunities for our kids not less"
"Why do kids, many of whom are still studying and have homework, have to travel to Concord to train and play rep footy when there is a perfectly viable option to do so locally with the Magpies?"
"The Magpies have been in Campbelltown for 25 years providing kids a pathway to the NRL"
"Millions of our tax dollars have been spent upgrading Campbelltown Stadium to meet Wests Tigers demands, our population has gone through the roof and AFL is knocking on the door, and we still only get 4 games."
"Original thoughts were we would get at least 500 people to the Rally. But these issues seem to have struck a chord with the local community and with the amazing interest this rally has generated we could end up being pleasantly surprised by the turn out"
Quote on twitter from Melbourne Storm player and Magpie Junior Ryan Hoffman
"It's killing me seeing the way @westsmagpies are getting treated. Had 2nd rate treatment since the merger began. Westies love a fight though"
Quote on twitter from Cronulla Sharks, former Wests Tigers premiership winning player and Magpie Junior Bryce Gibbs regarding the Wests Tigers decision to stop supporting the Wests Magpies
"balmain fans are in charge there now! Disgrace"
"I grew up on Rudd Rd right next to Campbelltown Stadium! You need a Magpies team for the kids in the area to prevent them going to the Parramatta district! No Magpies = No future for the kids of Campbelltown and a bigger chance of them going to AFL!!"
Quote from former NRL Wests Magpies and Wests Tigers player, Kevin McGuiness
What will happen to the kids in our area? What will they aspire to be? Wests Magpies is our Local Representative Team and I’m worried about the future and Development of the children in our area. I have a young child that wants to play Rugby League in the area but what opportunities will he have?
Quote from Coaching and Development Co-ordinator Campbelltown Eagles RLFC Daniel Draper
"All we want is our club to play and train in Campbelltown whilst competing in a well run competition, its not that hard"
"With our three local clubs gone and the Magpies killed off, we face the real possibility that there will no senior football played in Campbelltown on a weekend"
"It is rare for clubs like ours with such a fierce on field rivalry to be united 100% behind this cause and this rally"
Quote from former Wests Magpies NRL player Damien Kennedy
I got a start in Jersey Flegg, under 21’s, Reserve Grade and learnt how to play NRL Footy with the Magpies at Campbelltown, I was an outsider living and Representing Campbelltown and I wouldn’t of got this opportunity if it wasn’t for the Magpies and the Campbelltown area. The Wests Tigers couldn’t lead a Horse to Water for what they are doing to the area. It’s also ludicrous that Campbelltown Council would allow this to happen, Campbelltown Clubs that cannot Train and Play in the Campbelltown LGA, these clubs should have the backing from Campbelltown Council and it is ridiculous on what is happening in senior Rugby League in Campbelltown.
Quote from Magpie 1st Grader and Life Member on the club Bruce (Bruiser) Clarke
"I gave nine hard years to the Magpies and I feel disappointed that the boards of Ashfield and Campbelltown Leagues Clubs can't better support them."
"I am a life member of the Magpies, but the way things are going I might soon be a life member of nothing"
Quote from Campbelltown Eagles Junior and former Magpie NSW Cup player of the Year Fataitoa Asa
"Wests Magpies give children in our area an accessible avenue of becoming like their NRL heros and may even become hometown heros like legends of yesteryear such as John Skandalis, Bryce Gibbs and Brett Hodgson. Without the Magpies, junior Rugby League will suffer in this, with many defecting to other competitions or giving up on their dreams all together."
Quote from Laurie Ferguson MP, Member for Werriwa.
The Magpies as a foundation club has earned its place in the NSW Rugby League and its history. To argue money cheapens a proud jumper. The area has the facilities the passion and the pride to have their local team – the Magpies.
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Recent players who got their NRL chance through the Wests Magpies
Western Suburbs Magpies have recently provided a "Pathway to Success" for players like Ken & Kevin McGuiness, Ciriaco Mescia, Brett Hodgson, John Skandalis, Steve Georgallis, Isaac DeGois, Luke Covell, Ben Roberts, Shane Perry, Ryan Hoffman, Shannon McDonnell, Dean Collis, Daine Laurie, Shannon Gallant, Peni Tagive, Rocky Trimarchi, Gray Viane, Stuart Flanagan, Simon Dwyer, Matt Groat, Ray Cashmere, William Mataka, Liam Fulton, Beau Ryan, Bryce Gibbs and Chris Lawrence.
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Media Coverage
The Rally has been advertised on the web, online forums, facebook, twitter, in all the local papers, the Sydney papers, Sports Tonight (Channel 10), talk back radio (2SM, 2KY and 2GB), FM radio (C91.3 FM) and flyers have been handed out at local train stations.
Full list of media here:
http://s9.zetaboards.com/Wests_Magpies_Forum/single/?p=8250204&t=7318595
Over 10,000 views on the Wests Tigers Forum before it was closed down by management -
http://www.weststigersforum.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=6&sid=4e6bbb7435016f1bdd1795202b96eec9
Over 13,000 views of the Wests Supporter Forum -
http://s9.zetaboards.com/Wests_Magpies_Forum/forum/3008853/
Links:
>>> CLOSED - Wests Tigers Forum -
http://www.weststigersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=10842&p=251907&time=1324768287#p251907
- Wests Magpies Twitter -
http://twitter.com/westsmagpies
- Magpie Flag Facebook -
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002552350346
>>> REMOVED - Group 6 Page -
http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_...sID=20854&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=17967075
>>> REMOVED - Group 6 juniors Page -
http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_...ID=19779&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=17973053
- LeagueUnlimited -
http://forums.leagueunlimited.com/showthread.php?t=395985
- LeagueUnlimited 2 -
http://forums.leagueunlimited.com/showthread.php?p=7999205&posted=1#post7999205
- RLeague -
http://forums.rleague.com/posts/sho...e-Our-Sides-Protest-Rally-Campbelltown-05-Feb
- totalrl.com -
http://www.totalrl.com/forums/index...e-our-sides-protest-rally-campbelltown-05-feb
- the kennel -
http://www.nospam12.net.au/forum/showthread.php?t=92722&p=2483599
- Sharks Forever -
http://www.sharksforever.com/forums/showthread.php?94971-Save-Our-Sides-Protest-Rally-Campbelltown
- SMH Story -
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/fish--goes-off--as-fans-get-under-americans-skin-20120107-1ppbv.html
- Macarthur Chronicle - 10JAN11 -
http://macarthur-chronicle-campbell...ague-in-macarthur-region-rallies-for-fair-go/
- Chook Pen -
http://www.thechookpen.com.au/forum...rotest-Rally-Campbelltown&p=170087#post170087
- The Green House -
http://leagueunlimited7.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=22011&sid=b583ae4512bd2acb7cb722805a615da2
- Daily Telegraph - 11JAN -
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ter-final-season/story-e6frexnr-1226241210873
- Camden Advertiser -
http://www.camdenadvertiser.com.au/...ng-changes-sought-by-league-fans/2416487.aspx
- the Burrow -
http://www.setbb.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1002&mforum=theburrow
- Paul Kent -
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/how-west-was-lost/story-e6frexnr-1226242159632
- Christian Nicolussi -
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...fast-approaching/story-e6frexnr-1226242091827
- The Roar -
http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/01/13/beginning-of-the-end-for-the-magpies/
- Roy Masters -
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ext-step-for-wests-tigers-20120112-1pxjl.html
- Wests Ashfield Statement -
http://www.weststigers.com.au/?s=article-display&id=46253&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook
- Daniel Watson-Hayes 2SM -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihXWJLG0SI0
- Macarthur Chronicle 16JAN -
http://macarthur-chronicle-campbell...d-for-support-to-secure-their-playing-future/
- Independent Commission -
http://www.smh.com.au/sport/dont-delay-lets-get-commission-rolling-says-arko-20120114-1q0d6.html
- Roy Masters 2 -
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...d-not-all-black-and-white-20120123-1qdz7.html
- Macarthur Advertiser 25JAN -
http://www.macarthuradvertiser.com....ampbelltown-footy-players-plea-save-our-sides
- Wests Magpies Press Release -
http://westsmagpies.blogspot.com/2012/01/western-suburbs-magpies-press-release.html
Archived Articles
- Telegraph 31Aug10 -
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...y-become-extinct/story-e6frexnr-1225912101863
- Mac Chronicle 15NOV10 -
http://macarthur-chronicle-camden.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/statement-campbelltown-eagles/
- Mac Chronicle 08NOV10 -
http://macarthur-chronicle-camden.w...tory/clubs-keen-to-jump-ship-to-group-6-comp/
- Mac Chronicle 15NOV10 -
http://macarthur-chronicle-camden.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/we-did-not-poach-clubs-says-group-6/
- Wests Junior League Statement -
http://macarthur-chronicle-camden.w...western-suburbs-district-junior-rugby-league/
- Eagles Total Ban Threat -
http://www.macarthuradvertiser.com....e/club-threatened-with-total-ban/2139867.aspx
- Eagles Suspended Sentence 13apr11 -
http://macarthur-chronicle-wollondi...league-club-gets-two-year-suspended-sentence/
- Banned for Txts -
http://macarthur-chronicle-campbell.../david-lucas-banned-for-18-months-over-texts/
- Life Ban -
http://macarthur-chronicle-camden.w...from-western-suburbs-district-junior-rugby-l/
- Group 6 accepts defectors -
http://www.macarthuradvertiser.com....roup-6-votes-to-accept-defectors/2000023.aspx
- Give us our footy back -
http://www.macarthuradvertiser.com....its-a-bloody-disgrace-says-henry/2181668.aspx
- Empty Nest Fury -
http://digitaledition.macarthurchro...spx?iid=48810&startpage=page0000006#folio=005
>>> REMOVED = The article was taken offline. Bully tactics, touched a nerve, stand over tactics, legal threats, your guess is as good as ours.
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More info
http://s9.zetaboards.com/Wests_Magpies_Forum/single/?p=8251484&t=7318595
http://s9.zetaboards.com/Wests_Magpies_Forum/single/?p=8250647&t=7318595
Stats about the Reduction In Players In Campbelltown
http://s9.zetaboards.com/Wests_Magpies_Forum/single/?p=8251467&t=7318595
Why we feel let down by the joint venture. In Pictures
http://s9.zetaboards.com/Wests_Magpies_Forum/single/?p=8251400&t=7318595
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Reaction to the Rally
- Wests Tigers have moved their trial match against the Roosters from Leichhardt Oval to Campbelltown Stadium on February 18th
http://www.weststigers.com.au/defau...&title=tickets-on-sale-for-campbelltown-trial
- Wests Tigers have announced they will be 'blitzing' schools in the Southern Highlands areas
http://www.weststigers.com.au/defau...4&title=wests-tigers-blitz-to-visit-3-regions
- Wests Ashfield have made a Press Release
http://www.nrl.com/statement-from-wests-ashfield/tabid/10874/newsid/65658/default.aspx
- Western Suburbs Magpies have made a Press Release
http://westsmagpies.blogspot.com/2012/01/western-suburbs-magpies-press-release.html
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For more details on the rally visit
www.wests.co.nr
Call Trevor Williams
East Campbelltown Eagles Life Member
Phone: 46261550
or
Graeme Szynal (after 5pm) on 0407 929 124
g.szynal@gmail.com
OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THIS DON'T COME AROUND OFTEN. WE NEED YOU ALL TO GET BEHIND THIS RALLY IF WE ARE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
