http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2008/jul/22/sunshine-coast-sea-/eagles-big-business/
Late last Friday afternoon, those two magic words the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles have been dying to hear were uttered – You’re in.
The Sea Eagles were given conditional approval for a 2009 Queensland Cup license by the QRL board during a meeting at Mooloolaba Surf Club. Now their application appears to be rubber stamped, Operation Queensland Cup will kick into overdrive.
Sponsorship, an effective business plan, community support, financial stability and, of course, a strong pool of playing talent are the biggest boxes the franchise will need to tick before their August 29 deadline. Here’s the situation as it stands.
THE BUSINESS
Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles CEO Brett Winkler wants to make one thing very clear – the organisation is a business, not a football club.
The Eagles’ blueprint involves more than just winning games on the football field. Winkler is hoping the Sea Eagles, albeit on a smaller scale initially, can emulate the enormous effect the North Queensland Cowboys have had on Townsville’s economy.
“The Cowboys generate millions of dollars of tracked economic benefit to their community every year and plenty of people benefit from that,†he said.
“That’s a lot of money and that’s what we’re trying to get the council across. This is a sporting industry we’re trying to flag and volunteer.
“It’s not just a football club, it’s a football business. Here at the moment there’s nothing like rugby league and the Q Cup, and for a league stronghold like the Coast there’ll be a return on the investment.â€ÂÂ
THE PLAYERS
While Winkler won’t reveal his identity, the Sea Eagles have already signed a current Queensland Cup player for next year. Two more will reportedly sign up within the next two days.
Discussions took place with a handful of players when the Quad Series finals (featuring a Jim Beam Cup team, NSW Country, Queensland Rangers and Great Britain) were held at Stockland Park on Saturday.
The club is also establishing ties with overseas league strongholds.
“We’re looking at partnerships with Fiji and New Zealand which I’ve been working on for weeks, and we spoke to a couple of players from the Quad Series,†Winkler said.
“One’s already said he’s in, and we spoke to players from the Jim Beam Cup team as well who were very attracted by the lifestyle here.â€ÂÂ
THE LOCAL PLAYERS
The fact the team is called the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles won’t mean home-grown talent will get an armchair ride into the Queensland Cup side.
Winkler said local players will be given every chance to prove themselves at the higher level, but there will be no set quota of local talent the team will be required to field each week.
“Because you’re a local doesn’t mean you get priority,†he said. “Whoever prepares the best will get the spot. Blind loyalty will send the organisation under if you do that.
“The Q Cup is going to be elite; if you’re good enough you’ll come through. We don’t care if you’re a local, an import or whatever.
“The FOGS Cup will be the testing ground to see whether they are up to the task.
“We’ll give local players every opportunity in terms of coaching and support to meet the challenge. Then it’s up to the individual.
Winkler added the players will also be looked after off the field.
“They can work, study or get and apprenticeship and we’ll back them with that,†he said. “We’ve really got the complete package together.â€ÂÂ
THE MANLY CONNECTION
Manly will send up to six players from their top-25 contracted squad to play Queensland Cup each week. A full-time director of football will also be employed, who will oversee the junior development program and the Queensland Cup.
Manly coaching and development manager Dave Warwick will be on the Sunshine Coast tomorrow to address local under-16 and under-18s on the pathways the partnership will provide.
Once (or if) the stadium redevelopment is completed at Stockland Park, plans are in place for the venue to host official NRL matches.
THE FUNDING
Manly have already committed to providing a substantial amount of money to ensure the partnership is successful. The estimated annual cost to run a Queensland Cup franchise is $500,000.
The Sea Eagles have established a ‘Platinum 100’ scheme, where they ask 100 people to make a $5000 stake in the club. But in order to be viable the business also needs strong community support.
“We’re certainly loyal to the people who back us early; they’ll definitely get the benefits later on,†Winkler said.