Brissie Kid
Bencher
This is some of what has come out today from the Dragons with the NRL. I fear more games are going to be lost from Brookie, but unlike Dragons fans I can't see Manly fans embracing this sort of change (and nor should they).
As for the Dragons getting massive $ upgrades to Kogarah & Wollongong but now each will be used just 4 times a year while Brookie rots.
There appears to be a select group of Sydney clubs forming a "big venues" cartel to rig the draw to create blockbuster games & share the bigger gate takings, & Manly is not one of them, along with Sharks & Penrith.
As for the Dragons getting massive $ upgrades to Kogarah & Wollongong but now each will be used just 4 times a year while Brookie rots.
There appears to be a select group of Sydney clubs forming a "big venues" cartel to rig the draw to create blockbuster games & share the bigger gate takings, & Manly is not one of them, along with Sharks & Penrith.
http://m.dragons.com.au/news-display/87458
Dragons & NRL Announce Right Game Right Venue
Mon, Nov 18, 2013 - 1:50 PM
The St George Illawarra Dragons on Monday announced a strategic initiative with the NRL that will stamp key Dragons games as some of the biggest events of the season.
In the same way the Dragons helped transform the annual ANZAC Day match, the Club is working with the NRL to build annual events in a “Right Game, Right Venue” strategy, creating an exciting atmosphere for Red V Members and fans and strengthening the Club for the future.
The initiative will see the Dragons commit to playing four of their twelve home games (including the existing ANZAC Day game) annually at Sydney’s major stadia: Allianz Stadium, the Sydney Cricket Ground and ANZ Stadium, over the next four years.
The Dragons will retain eight home games per season at the traditional venues of WIN Jubilee Oval, Kogarah and WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
As part of the plan, the NRL and the Dragons are looking to establish an annual Heritage Round clash with the South Sydney Rabbitohs at the SCG as well as the opportunity to create marquee events around matches involving clubs such as the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Wests Tigers, Parramatta Eels and Sydney Roosters, who are already committed to these venues.
The strategy will be underpinned by the commercial investment of the major venues and a commitment from the NRL to work closely with the Clubs and Venues to create annual marquee events.
The arrangements will deliver a multiplier effect for the Dragons and their Red V Members and Corporate Partners, with reciprocal entitlements, new market opportunities and additional capacity providing a growth platform that also enables the Club to minimise the pressures on the costs of Membership and ticketing.
The initiative recognises the need to maintain traditional venues but to also ensure that the game has the capacity to attract new Members and fans.
This initiative is a key element of the Dragons strategic plan and provides a platform for future growth within the Club’s business model, ensuring this iconic Rugby League Brand can remain at the forefront of the game.
The new venue model is about ensuring long-term sustainability whilst maintaining a balance with the Club's traditions.
“We are looking to be the major player in what will be a game-wide strategy going forward,” said Dragons CEO Peter Doust.
“If we are going to grow Membership and attendances we are going to require additional capacity, and the NSW State Government has made it clear that it will only invest in major venues, moving forward.
“We will always be committed to our region and our traditions, however we also want all our Members and fans to be able to see the biggest games of the year, and to receive increased benefits.
“This decision has been based on a platform for economic enhancement and growth capability, leading to long term financial sustainability."
National Rugby League Chief Executive Dave Smith said the Dragons were taking the opportunity to grow and to ensure the Club remained strong in the future:
“They have really thought this through and it is a smart move," said Smith.
“Any change will take some adjustment but they have a clear aim to build a big match atmosphere around the key matches and that is what we all need to work towards.
“At the same time there remains a strong commitment to their traditional venues.”
The “Right Game, Right Venue” approach is in line with both the long term NRL strategy and the NSW Government’s planned future investment in major Sydney venues.
The NRL and the Dragons are working with the NSW State Government seeking to provide integrated transport with ticketing for all attendees of games under the "Right Game, Right Venue" strategy.
When the 2014 Telstra Premiership Draw is finalised in coming weeks, the Dragons will launch a revised Red V Memberships program providing access to ticketing across all five home venues and additional reciprocal ticketing opportunities to attend away games against selected Sydney teams who share those venues.
Click to read Quotes Concerning Dragons & NRL Right Game Right Venue Announcement http://www.dragons.com.au/news-display/87461
Quotes from Dave Smith - NRL CEO
“We all want to see games played in the venues that they are most suited to. If we are going to grow members and grow crowds we need to have our big games played at the venues where they can accommodate those fans. We are working in partnership with those clubs that can see the opportunity ahead. It is becoming increasingly clear to clubs that if you want to be strong and to grow then you need to do everything to attract more fans to the biggest games. That doesn’t mean turning away from traditional home venues - there is enormous respect for the traditions of those grounds - but it means having the right mix."
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“They have made a really important call in building a stronger future for the club and given their fans the chance to be part of something really special. The Dragons have already helped make ANZAC Day one biggest events of the year. Going forward we will work with them to make the annual Heritage Round Clash against South Sydney another permanent fixture that makes everyone want to be there. I know the Dragons have done the work to look at all aspects of this decision and they are looking to make the club even stronger. They are committed to supporting both WIN Jubilee Oval, Kogarah and WIN Stadium, Wollongong while still ensuring the big games can accommodate as many members and fans as possible."
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“It’s really important to see clubs being proactive about their futures and I think the Dragons are setting an important example here in their strategic approach. We can’t sit back and hope the game will grow. Rugby League has the chance to take membership and crowds to a new level and the clubs that get in and make decisions on the basis of that will only grow stronger in the years ahead."
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“The Dragons are in a position to really demonstrate the benefits of this approach. St George Illawarra represent one of the most powerful brands in the game, they have a massive and diverse fan base and the opportunity for more and more of those fans and members to be a part of the big games speaks for itself."
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“Be a part of this, it is going to be a chance to create some great game day events and a chance to make your club stronger. There will always be a place for traditional grounds but there also needs to be room to grow. The Dragons will be offering a range of membership packages for all fans to be a part of the club and I really encourage people to be a part of the journey."
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“We are very focused on working with the clubs that play a role in this strategy. We think there are some real options to create more annual fixtures that deliver that big game atmosphere."
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“We’ve worked closely with the club and they are a great bunch of people. I have a lot of respect for them and you can see that they are taking strategic decisions that are necessary to grow the club."
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“We have to widen our fan base and the starting point is to grow members and fans. To do that we need to have the facilities that can accommodate those fans, that will encourage them to come along to the big games. For those big matches we need to be able to welcome people in by having the facilities that can accommodate them."
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“I think it is a really important decision in the financial future of the club and I support the board and the executive for making it."
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“We are hoping to have the draw finalised in a few weeks. It is an incredibly complex process, particularly with the full season schedule that was introduced to benefit fans. I can only assure you that Todd Greenberg and the team are working closely with the broadcasters to be settled as soon as possible."