Qld Premier Rugby 2012

[suckerforred]

Thanks for that Mr Tank.

Now I am going to take the cat by the scruff of the neck and throw it right in amongst the pidgeons....

From your point of view, being someone on the board of said community club, do you think that this reduction will be from the 'problem gamblers' or will it be more likely the people who just couldn't be bothered going through the hoops and therefore will just stop putting their spare change into the pokies? And also, do you (as an individual or a club) have a community conceince with regards to provision of the 'service' and/or feel that you are being 'picked on' for something that is beyond your control?

Please don't take the above the wrong way. I think that there are other issues out there in the field of gambling that need to be addressed, not only the whole pokie issue. As a person who does not have much to do with poker machines at all (last time I put money in one was in Monte Carlo in 2007), I am just trying to get both sides of the debate and I think that what has been shuffled through the media is not the full story from either side of the debate.

(Am also thinking that this might need to be put into a new thread...)

 

[Jets]

As someone who has been involved with a few clubs in Brisbane, including Sunnybank, I can tell you that Sunnybank spends much less money on players than others. They are much more inclines to spend money on Development programs and gym facilities. A few other clubs could learn from this.

 

[What2040]

what2040 Sunnybank does invest in the juniors and in the rugby community in general eg schools comp, they also have a big commitment to funding senior sevens programs for men and woman to assist with player development and to create opportunity. Your comment re players leaving if it wasn't for the $$$$$$$ is simply bullshit. No player at Sunnybank receives money over and above what any club could and does offer. No player receives anything that could be considered more than covering expenses. This is fact. Sunnybank could spend dollars on foreign players etc but sees no purpose in that. Winning a tournament by cheque book is not sustainable nor something that is healthy for the competition or code in general. FYI not one current interstate or international import reds contracted player is playing for Sunnybank. Some player managers and players may try and tell clubs and supporters a different story for their own commercial reasons but it is simply not true.

Rugrat - "no player at Sunnybank receives money over and above what any club could or does offer' is absolute rubbish. Rent payments of a few hundred dollars, a contract of $19,000-$20,000 for a pair of players etc etc etc................. However I acknowledged that Sunnybank do spend $$$$$ on our game in a variety of ways (on which they are to be congratulated). The interesting question is how much does Sunnybank Rugby receive from the Community Club ??? - maybe Mr Tank can assist

 

[tigerland12]

Got to give credit when it's due, Sunnybank has done a fucking good job at making itself the best all round club in Brisbane (ie: Financial, Juniors, Seniors, Facilities ect)

 

[What2040]

As someone who has been involved with a few clubs in Brisbane, including Sunnybank, I can tell you that Sunnybank spends much less money on players than others. They are much more inclines to spend money on Development programs and gym facilities. A few other clubs could learn from this.

Jets,
have been to plenty of Brisy clubs myself - most do not look like money-making concerns to me - where the hell do they get the $$$$$$ from to pay players???????

 

[happyjack]

Jets,
have been to plenty of Brisy clubs myself - most do not look like money-making concerns to me - where the hell do they get the $$$$$$ from to pay players???????

Where do clubs get the money from? Well there are a number of strategies. One is that they usually just spend everything they have and not pay their bills and have a good season before going broke and very quickly fading. Symptoms of this are changes in club committee members, movement of high profile players and a rapid decent down the ladder. There are 5 clubs that have had this issue in the last decade. Cheers shuold go to the brave soles who pick up the Presidency and spend the next 3-5 years rebuilding the clubs balance sheet. There are other clubs that have private individuals who will not give money to the club, because of the management reasons previously stated, but will give money directly to high profile players and coaches and hide the expense in their business. Another strategy is that a club sets out to raise additional funds which are spent on securing high profile players. There is one club at the moment that raises money through activities from sausage sizzles to auctions to fund this. The last option is not to spend money but to have close relationships with the state union and simply save money and use influence by having key staff work in and on behalf of the club.
Clubs are no different to each individuals. We all get money at different amounts, from a variety of activities and we spend it as we see fit. At the end of the day we can be judged on waht we have accumulated, what we have achieved, or the moral or ethical basis in which we have operated.
Be sure of one thing, that it is often those that you would least expect who can provide the most in the way of cash to a player.

 

[What2040]

Where do clubs get the money from? Well there are a number of strategies. One is that they usually just spend everything they have and not pay their bills and have a good season before going broke and very quickly fading. Symptoms of this are changes in club committee members, movement of high profile players and a rapid decent down the ladder. There are 5 clubs that have had this issue in the last decade. Cheers shuold go to the brave soles who pick up the Presidency and spend the next 3-5 years rebuilding the clubs balance sheet. There are other clubs that have private individuals who will not give money to the club, because of the management reasons previously stated, but will give money directly to high profile players and coaches and hide the expense in their business. Another strategy is that a club sets out to raise additional funds which are spent on securing high profile players. There is one club at the moment that raises money through activities from sausage sizzles to auctions to fund this. The last option is not to spend money but to have close relationships with the state union and simply save money and use influence by having key staff work in and on behalf of the club.
Clubs are no different to each individuals. We all get money at different amounts, from a variety of activities and we spend it as we see fit. At the end of the day we can be judged on waht we have accumulated, what we have achieved, or the moral or ethical basis in which we have operated.
Be sure of one thing, that it is often those that you would least expect who can provide the most in the way of cash to a player.

Happyjack - great post

 

[Mr Tank]

Just to clear things up, I'm not on the board of Sunnybank community club but a relative is; the information I'm passing on is all second hand. So to be frank I have not a clue how much the rugby club gets from the community club, its certainly not inconsequential but I'm pretty sure it comes on the proviso of it not being spent on player wages. There are some exceptions mind you, in his last contract negotiations Digby was given a substantial top-up by the community club in order to keep him in Qld, the condition being he take a mentor role in the Samoan community at the club. Pretty sure the top-up wasn't necessary this time.

Nice to see so many on this forum giving credit to what Sunnybank does well. I know the guys from Sunnybank I've had any contact with are, like pretty much everyone on this forum, genuine rugby lovers who thanks to the success of the community club have the means to spread the good word.

 

[Rugrat]

Rugrat - "no player at Sunnybank receives money over and above what any club could or does offer' is absolute rubbish. Rent payments of a few hundred dollars, a contract of $19,000-$20,000 for a pair of players etc etc etc................. However I acknowledged that Sunnybank do spend $$$$$ on our game in a variety of ways (on which they are to be congratulated). The interesting question is how much does Sunnybank Rugby receive from the Community Club ??? - maybe Mr Tank
Keep spreading the myth mate so that other clubs pay overs for players and send themselves broke. Re your two examples if paying a few hundred bucks for rent assistance is only achievable by Sunnybank your delusional, your numbers re a pair of players is wrong and inflated, and I can think of another pair of players who have changed clubs a few times for not insignificant amounts and they wernt playing at Sunnybank. I stand by my statement. FYI the contributions to Rugby by the Sunnybank Rugby Club Trading as the Sunnybank Sports and Community Club are clearly stated in the financials of the Sunnybank Rugby club and are available to all members and shared as a courtesy to the qru and it is significant and well managed to provide excellent professional full-time staff focused on providing a great experience for close to one thousand junior and senior players. With great staff in the rugby department and in the community club they provide a huge amount of development opportunities, facilities and programs for Rugby but also other local sport and community needs.

 

[Rugrat]

Rugrat - you sound as though you have some inside information. Good on Sunnybank for their attitude and support to the game. Do you think that the 30% decrease in revenues is accrurate? As a club do they have contingency plans for maintaining revenue if this is the case? No matter what they spend their money on 30% is a big chunk to go missing.

The proposed changes by the productivity commission (who ever they are) and the Wilkie position will have a huge effect on the trading capabilities of the club, casinos and pubs. The major point of difference though is that pubs and casinos are privately held businesses and the profits are returned to shareholders. Clubs re invest in their communities and in the members interests that they represent. I am constantly amazed that this argument re problem gambling is restricted only to pokie machines and not gambling in all forms eg gold lotto, scratcheys, bookmakers tabs online gambling etc. Gambling is by definition a case of winners and losers. Gambling in this state prior to the casinos and clubs was conducted in illegal casinos and look how that panned out for the state come the fitzgerald inquiry. One dollar maximum bets is a judgement call on what someone thinks is a fair and reasonable amount to lose. Who are these people that decide that's enough to wager. do they have the same right to determine a maximum bet on a horse race or on the tables at the casino. Please explain the difference to me. Also I think all ladies high heel shoes should be limited to cost 50 dollars, they are dangereous impractical, not fun at all, usually carried rather than worn after drinking and my wife is addicted to buying them.

 

[What2040]

Rugrat - I stand by my comments re those payments mentioned - something about the "horse's mouth" - anyway moving on, IMO it was fantastic Sunnybank topped up Digby's deal to the tune of $60k - no other club would have been in a financial position to do so and it shows the wonderful attitude of the Club towards rugby.

Suckerforred - illegal casinos in queensland - wash your mouth out haha - remember the fat one, Minister for Racing, Local Government, Police and Main Roads stated there were no illegal casinos in Queensland - funny, the Fitzgerald Inquiry soon put that to rest. - But agree with your "big brother" comment about who has the right to decide what anybody should punt or pay for shoes.

 

[suckerforred]

Rugrat - I stand by my comments re those payments mentioned - something about the "horse's mouth" - anyway moving on, IMO it was fantastic Sunnybank topped up Digby's deal to the tune of $60k - no other club would have been in a financial position to do so and it shows the wonderful attitude of the Club towards rugby.

Suckerforred - illegal casinos in queensland - wash your mouth out haha - remember the fat one, Minister for Racing, Local Government, Police and Main Roads stated there were no illegal casinos in Queensland - funny, the Fitzgerald Inquiry soon put that to rest. - But agree with your "big brother" comment about who has the right to decide what anybody should punt or pay for shoes.

Wasn't me, rug rat one to congratulate. However I do agree with what he said.

I didn't mean to start an out and out war. Just trying to sort out what is going to happen when legislation is brought in. Whenever that is and whatever the form.

Said before on here that I think there are other areas of gambling that need to be addressed (the endless bet now adds during games for one) but pokies is what is on the table at the moment, and where the greatest effect on the grass roots clubs will be from. IMO.

 

[What2040]

Wasn't me, rug rat one to congratulate. However I do agree with what he said.

I didn't mean to start an out and out war. Just trying to sort out what is going to happen when legislation is brought in. Whenever that is and whatever the form.

Said before on here that I think there are other areas of gambling that need to be addressed (the endless bet now adds during games for one) but pokies is what is on the table at the moment, and where the greatest effect on the grass roots clubs will be from. IMO.

Going to the pokies now to "invest" my $2.00

 

[Rugrat]

Going to the pokies now to "invest" my $2.00

Excellent hope it is at Sunnybank Sports and Community Club so we can stop a few more players from desperately trying to join another club. Haha. FYI the contribution to Digby was more and the other you have spoken about is less. I know you dont believe me but that is the problem with Rugby blogs, everyone knows someone and the stories make Chinese whispers sound like a fact sheet. Your oil just must be better than mine hey. Cheers have a great australia day and good luck on the punt. Bring on the new season let's hope for no injuries great tries even better scrums and forgotten refs.

 

[What2040]

Excellent hope it is at Sunnybank Sports and Community Club so we can stop a few more players from desperately trying to join another club. Haha. FYI the contribution to Digby was more and the other you have spoken about is less. I know you dont believe me but that is the problem with Rugby blogs, everyone knows someone and the stories make Chinese whispers sound like a fact sheet. Your oil just must be better than mine hey. Cheers have a great australia day and good luck on the punt. Bring on the new season let's hope for no injuries great tries even better scrums and forgotten refs.

mate yeah, good oil. Thanks for best wishes on the punt - lost my $2 but had a whale of a time. Was thinking about betting $1.20 at one stage but was afraid some bum might tell me I was irresponsible, could not afford it, and was reckless to boot. Unfortunately it was not at Sunnybank!!!!

 

[spectator]

I predict Norths to have a very strong 2012 in premier grade this year. Keep an eye out for them

I really hope they do. Have they picked up anyone of note in the off season?

 

[rugbynerd]

I really hope they do. Have they picked up anyone of note in the off season?

I've heard that one or two players from the 2009/2010 premier grade teams are returning plus one or two queensland cup players

 

[Lior]

It would be great to see Norths do well. After many years of having so much potential I really do hope to see them at least crack the top 6. They had a decent Premier Colts team in 2011 didn't they? Maybe a few blokes in Premier Colts will make the step to Premier Grade?

 

[Jets]

I was told on Friday that they had received some funding to build a shed to house weights equipment in. Could be a good sign and may attract a few players to the club.

 

[Jets]

Some pics of the Sunnybank Gym for those interested