Ryan
Journey Man
Home and hosed
11Aug07
By LISA MUXWORTHY and
JOE BARTON
THE highly anticipated Manly Sea Eagles semi-final will be held at Brookvale Oval after Warringah Council and the NRL settled the fees question yesterday.
The NRL has agreed to pay a flat fee of $42,500, which will cover costs to the council and include a $5000 donation to Manly Warringah District Rugby League.
The game came under threat when it was revealed last week the council wanted to negotiate a ``fair price'' for the use of Brookvale Oval.
It was understood the council wanted to take 15 per cent of gate receipts, sponsorships, hospitality and merchandising, which would have been about $75,000.
The council met the NRL yesterday and an agreement was quickly reached, administrator Dick Persson said.
The game will take place on the weekend of Friday, September 7, Saturday, September 8, or Sunday, September 9, depending on where the Sea Eagles finish on the league ladder.
Narrabeen fan Paul Sallaway has followed the Sea Eagles for 35 years and was excited the historic first home semi-final would be played at Brookvale.
He also said a home game was more convenient for his children, who were also avid fans.
``It hasn't hit them that it is a home game yet, hopefully it will be a full house,'' he said.
Another fan Ryan Winter was also thrilled about the decision.
``It's beautiful. There's nothing better than the Sea Eagles on the beaches and there's nothing better than football at Brookvale Oval, and I love hearing that all the players are going to be excited to play a home final there.
``I'll be surprised if there is a ticket left at the end of the week.''
Manly chief executive Grant Mayer had faith the NRL and the council would reach an agreement ``that would suit everybody''.
``As it stands, the NRL is happy, the council is happy and as a club we're delighted to have the game played where it deserves to be played,'' he said. ``The players are very glad to hear the news, but nobody really contemplated playing the game anywhere else.
``For us it was a home final and home for Manly will always be Brookvale Oval.''
Mr Persson said the NRL had a positive approach to the negotiations and the council was pleased football fans would enjoy the semi-final at home.
He said it was a unique situation as it was the first time the council and NRL had negotiated for the use of Brookvale Oval.
And, for Mr Persson, it was an added benefit to support local juniors who would be ``watching their heroes play in the semi-final at their home ground''.
Manly Warringah District Rugby League, now in its 75th year, represents about 2200 players, most aged under 16.
President Keith Anderson said the $5000 would be vital to meet the costs to train its coaches and officials.
``It's certainly a great help to us,'' he said. ``This area is quite big and every year there are more and more qualifications to have.''
STORIES IN THIS SECTION
11Aug07
By LISA MUXWORTHY and
JOE BARTON
THE highly anticipated Manly Sea Eagles semi-final will be held at Brookvale Oval after Warringah Council and the NRL settled the fees question yesterday.
The NRL has agreed to pay a flat fee of $42,500, which will cover costs to the council and include a $5000 donation to Manly Warringah District Rugby League.
The game came under threat when it was revealed last week the council wanted to negotiate a ``fair price'' for the use of Brookvale Oval.
It was understood the council wanted to take 15 per cent of gate receipts, sponsorships, hospitality and merchandising, which would have been about $75,000.
The council met the NRL yesterday and an agreement was quickly reached, administrator Dick Persson said.
The game will take place on the weekend of Friday, September 7, Saturday, September 8, or Sunday, September 9, depending on where the Sea Eagles finish on the league ladder.
Narrabeen fan Paul Sallaway has followed the Sea Eagles for 35 years and was excited the historic first home semi-final would be played at Brookvale.
He also said a home game was more convenient for his children, who were also avid fans.
``It hasn't hit them that it is a home game yet, hopefully it will be a full house,'' he said.
Another fan Ryan Winter was also thrilled about the decision.
``It's beautiful. There's nothing better than the Sea Eagles on the beaches and there's nothing better than football at Brookvale Oval, and I love hearing that all the players are going to be excited to play a home final there.
``I'll be surprised if there is a ticket left at the end of the week.''
Manly chief executive Grant Mayer had faith the NRL and the council would reach an agreement ``that would suit everybody''.
``As it stands, the NRL is happy, the council is happy and as a club we're delighted to have the game played where it deserves to be played,'' he said. ``The players are very glad to hear the news, but nobody really contemplated playing the game anywhere else.
``For us it was a home final and home for Manly will always be Brookvale Oval.''
Mr Persson said the NRL had a positive approach to the negotiations and the council was pleased football fans would enjoy the semi-final at home.
He said it was a unique situation as it was the first time the council and NRL had negotiated for the use of Brookvale Oval.
And, for Mr Persson, it was an added benefit to support local juniors who would be ``watching their heroes play in the semi-final at their home ground''.
Manly Warringah District Rugby League, now in its 75th year, represents about 2200 players, most aged under 16.
President Keith Anderson said the $5000 would be vital to meet the costs to train its coaches and officials.
``It's certainly a great help to us,'' he said. ``This area is quite big and every year there are more and more qualifications to have.''
STORIES IN THIS SECTION
