An open letter from Bob Reilly re Football Club membership

[vidmar]

Thanks Dan for allowing us to post this to your readers....

An open letter from Bob Reilly, Chairman of the Manly-Warringah Football Club

I’m writing to you to ask for your help in continuing the rebuilding of the Manly Sea Eagles, through membership of the Manly-Warringah Football Club.
Along with your Sea Eagles ticket package, this is the most practical way you can stand up and say: I’m not just a fan. I’m a member, and I will play a real role in securing the future of the team I love.

There’s been a lot of confusion about the different organizations involved with the Sea Eagles family so I wanted to explain a little more about who the Football Club is, and why membership is so important.

Who is the Football Club?

The Manly-Warringah District Rugby League Football Club was founded in 1946, the year before the team entered the first-grade competition.  For most of the last 60 years, the Football Club was the official “owner” of the team that participated in the NSWRL and ARL competitions. In the last 10 years, with the Super League War, the Northern Eagles joint venture, and now the advent of private ownership with the Delmege & Penn families, who have brought so much to the Sea Eagles, a lot has changed! But what hasn’t changed is this:

The Football Club is 100% run by its members.

That means that it has an elected Board. Anyone who has been a member for the required time can vote in and stand for elections. Right now, we have a great Board, made up of passionate, life-long Manly fans from a variety of backgrounds, all volunteering their time to support the Sea Eagles.

The Board is:

Bob Reilly is Chairman of the Football and League Clubs, a Director of Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and is also a member of the General Committee of the NSWRL.  Bob is the CEO of a locally run business and a former Manly junior.

Kerry Sibraa AO is a Life Member and Co-Patron of the Club.  Kerry is a former President of the Australian Senate and High Commissioner/Ambassador to Southern Africa.

Peter O’Dwyer is CEO of the Manly Warringah Junior Rugby League, and has over 40 years commitment to improving the quality of life for young people, especially in the Manly Warringah area, via surf life saving and Rugby League.

Peter Bryant is a practicing Solicitor, and is a Director of the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and League Club.

Geoff Toovey needs no introduction!!

Philip Dean is CFO of Labelcraft, a National group of companies in the label printing industry. Philip has been a Manly fan since 1970 and a Football Club Member since 1987.

Damian Smith is CEO of RateCity (www.ratecity.com.au), a leading financial comparison website, and a Manly fan since 1973. He is also a Director of the League Club.

Melinda Gainsford-Taylor is a Director of Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and Football Club Board delegate.  Melinda is a three-time Olympian, current Eagles Angel and Athletics Australia national selector.

What will the Football Club do over the next few years?
The Football Club wants members to continue their rightful place as part-owners of the Sea Eagles, so our #1 priority over the next 5 years is to fund the purchase of new shares in the NRL franchise. This is not about “buying back” existing shares from the Penn & Delmege families. It’s actually about new capital that will help secure the financial future of the team. At the same time, the Football Club will work to preserve the things that we all care so passionately about: Brookvale Oval, our colours, our emblem and our name.
We’re not just about defending the great history & traditions of this Club. We want members to play a central role in the future of the Sea Eagles.

We are in the process of purchasing 100,000 new shares in the Sea Eagles with our existing funds; our goal is to purchase even more over the next few years. Again, we want to inject new capital, and help continue the rebirth of the Sea Eagles that we’ve seen over the past 6 years.

What else does the Football Club do?
Supporting former players: The Football Club also exists to help support former Manly players. Working with the “Men of League” foundation, the Football Club will provide financial support to former players who are down on their luck. We also help get former players along to home games. We’re also working to promote the “Old Boys” of Manly to keep the links between current fans and our history.

Functions: the Football Club hosts a number of functions during the year for members, where former players get together with members. It gives you a great chance to meet the heroes of your youth, as well as talk about what’s happening with today’s stars. For example, before the Titans game, we were joined by Max Krilich, Terry Randall, Cliffy Lyons and several other stars. We’ll be doing more of this in 2010 for home games, in the new Sports Bar at the Leagues Club.

Sea Eagles History: working closely with the Leagues Club, the Football Club will manage the Sea Eagles memorabilia – honouring our life members, our great players, and hosting the amazing memorabilia we’ve collected over the past 60+ years.

How does the Football Club relate to Sea Eagles season ticket membership?
Simple: they’re absolutely complimentary to each other. Sea Eagles membership is a great program for supporters to get season tickets for Sea Eagles games, and show their support in the most tangible way possible. We believe that everyone who can get to Sea Eagles games on a regular basis should show their support by buying a Sea Eagles ticket package!

You can join or renew your Sea Eagles package at the Sea Eagles website; we encourage you to do so today:

www.seaeagles.com.au/membership

By joining the Football Club, along with purchasing tickets to games, merchandise, and your Sea Eagles package, you’re showing not only that you’re committed to the maroon & white. You’re showing that you want to have a say in the future of the Sea Eagles, and that you’re willing to do something about it! By working together with our private owners, and by injecting new capital into the Sea Eagles, your membership of the Football Club helps build a future every bit as bright as the last 60 years have been.

Yours sincerely

Bob Reilly, Chairman
Manly-Warringah District Rugby League Football Club

Membership is just $25 per year and application forms and how to join can be downloaded from the link here:-

http://www.manlyleagues.com.au/assets/documents/football%20club%20application.pdf

 

[missing_something]

Tell Bob If they promise not to re-sign orford I'll automate the signup process via a shopping cart for them for free 

 

[Matabele]

Have they given up lobbying for Federal funds for the re-development of Brookvale?  I'd suggest that would have to be a high priority particularly i light of recent Council prevarications.

 

[Guest]

It would have been good to also have comment regarding the season ticket price increases for next year and why the club is allowing two home games to be played on the CC.

 

[Matabele]

It would have been good to also have comment regarding the season ticket price increases for next year

  I'd suggest the FC have decided discretion is the better part of valour on that one.  Supporting it is unpopular and criticisng it just makes it look like more FC/management division.

 

[Canteen Worker]

[quote author=tookey link=topic=181839.msg243572#msg243572 date=1254194315]
It would have been good to also have comment regarding the season ticket price increases for next year

  I'd suggest the FC have decided discretion is the better part of valour on that one.  Supporting it is unpopular and criticisng it just makes it look like more FC/management division.
[/quote]To be fair, it is Sea Eagles Ltd that makes those decisions, rather than the Football Club.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

[quote author=Canteen Worker link=topic=181839.msg243590#msg243590 date=1254210851]
[quote author=Matabele link=topic=181839.msg243573#msg243573 date=1254194995]
[quote author=tookey link=topic=181839.msg243572#msg243572 date=1254194315]
It would have been good to also have comment regarding the season ticket price increases for next year

  I'd suggest the FC have decided discretion is the better part of valour on that one.  Supporting it is unpopular and criticisng it just makes it look like more FC/management division.
[/quote]To be fair, it is Sea Eagles Ltd that makes those decisions, rather than the Football Club.
[/quote]

I admit I don't fully understand who is responsible for taking "home" games away from Brookie each year.

But as stated above the football club is the true owner of the team.  As the owner they should insist that all home games are played at brookvale oval.  I don't think that too many people would disagree with that.
[/quote]
He didn't state above that the football club is the true owner, just that historically it was the owner. Currently the FC is a minority shareholder, with Delmege & Penn families the two major shareholders. The power of the FC to 'insist' on matters is limited at present.

 

[niccipops]

I reckon I'll join the Sea Eagles football club next year to do my weeny little bit to help Manly. No point in getting season tickets as I live on the Gold Coast.
Jeez I miss that hill at Brookie. Will try to get there once or twice next year.
Now listen up Des & boys, when Nic comes to Brookie in 2010 you're bloody going to win and win big.

 

[vidmar]

I thought it worth following up on a few points/questions:-

Missing something...Des makes the call on who is signed by the club so not a lot that Bob or the Football Club can do to influence that aspect, sorry...

Mata - Lobbying federal government...yes that is still happening in earnest although as I’m sure you’ll understand not something that anyone would want to spruik too much on a public forum...needless to say it’s unlikely that anything will happen until the 2010 budget?

Tookey -Re:  Season Ticket prices...As mentioned, as the Sea Eagles are responsible for season ticket and match day prices (not the Football Club) then that is their call – that said, you may have seen a previous post where I let people know that the issue was being raised as an agenda item last week at the Sea Eagles board meeting by Bob Reilly.

I am told that there will be a public announcement soon from the Sea Eagles on that matter.

Re: Games away from Brooky... The Football Club has a charter that means that at least 10 games are played there but the Sea Eagles ultimately are responsible for balancing the books that pay the wages and keep the team on the paddock so it would be silly to dismiss a request from them if they can show the dollar benefits to be had by taking a game away from home – To “insist” all games be played at Brookvale needs to be balanced with financial reality at the moment – it would be silly and churlish to do otherwise?

Niccipops – Good to hear that you are considering signing up – your reference to “weeny” bit to help the club is the vital key... If we had many more like you then the “weeny’s” become large (as it were...) re: getting to see the boys play live ...remember we play on the Gold Coast on the June long weekend next season so keep an eye on here re the plans for getting together at the game – the last 2 trips up there have been fantastic and we get a huge group attending which makes for a lot of fun so would be good to see you and family joining us?

Thanks all
Vidmar

 

[Jatz Crackers]

Vid.........this is a family forum. Talking of things weeny that become bigger.  :-X

Dirty bugga. 

 

[The Wheel]

Vid - do existing members needs to complete application forms or will renewals be sent??

 

[vidmar]

G'day Wheel and hope all is well?

Re FC renewals - All current members will (or should have already as it was posted yesterday) received a copy of the letter above in the mail and that will include a renewal form for 2010.

Postal/fax renewals will see your card mailed to you or you can go in to the Leagues and renew and get your 2010 card there and then.

Remember it is important to maintain membership each year to retain your voting rights.

Anyone who was a new member joining recently (in the last 6 weeks or so) should have or will receive their 2010 card by mail soon

Cheers
Bob

 

[dceagle]

Ok you got me, I'm in.

 

[vidmar]

Excellent,
Thanks DC Eagle, great news
Cheers
Vidmar

 

[ManlyBacker]

I am already signed up for 2010 for the FC. It is actually pleasing to me that the FC is purchasing extra shares rather than buying back those already held. Percentage wise it will make very little difference to the FC holding in Sea Eagles Ltd, but it does mean an additional injection into the business.

On next season's ticket prices I know that there is a reward for long term ticket holders. That is all I can say prior to a club announcement, but letters should reach a large number of affected supporters shortly.

 

[The Wheel]

Interesting enough this morning in Martin Pace there people handing out Eels 2010 membership brouchures/promotional items.

One seems to think that we have missed a big chance over the last two years to promote membership, increase numbers etc.

 

[The Wheel]

Vid - you will be happy to know I just sent thru my renewal

 

[vidmar]

Good stuff Wheel....Gee I can't help thinking back to this time last year, I'd been to the Grand Final breakfast yesterday and right about now I'd snuck in to the media morning at Brookie for the official GF team photo...Oh well...

Agree your point about the promotions but mind you remember there was an open day at Brookie during the week in to the lead up where membership brochures were given out, the forums were buzzing and there was heavy promotion of memberships etc?

The numbers went up quite considerably in 09 compared to where they had been in 08 so although not hugely evident the promos that Aaron and the team did with the limited resources and budget they had did bear some fruit (mind you when you and I and the other volunteers were packing those member packs at Narrabeen there seemed to be millions of them LOL!)

 

[The Wheel]

No denying we have grown greatly over the last few years and i wasnt really being critial.  More to the point we may not have such excitement or opportunity etc in the ranks of the average fans (ie not us lunatics) to use that to sign them up to membership, season tickets etc.

Yes they were heady days this time last year, as you know it was a very costly few days for me in more ways than one.

Might have to watch the DVD on the weekend to refresh my memory

 

[vidmar]

Fully agree Wheel...plus the loss of merchandising that the club will have seen as a result in not progressing will hurt the club enormously?

Will make it a tougher job but I guess this is the time we have to push the message harder and do what we can to get close friends and family involved plus sites like this and other avenues.

Yes, you certainly have a lasting reminder of our GF win...how are the twins by the way?

I wonder if your mates kids shoe is still in the tree at Homebush? (If yes no doubt some westie family will claim it and hope they get there next year to complete the pair?)