It is a bit concerning what may be happening at the Bridge. Not that we couldnt all see it coming. If you wanna blow all your money on a 3 yr premiership window, then you really need to hang around when things are tough. Otherwise they shouldve invested all that money on ensuring the club is around long term. They have a responsibility to the league they are playing in. This league cannot afford to lose a club!! To hear they may be having a meeting to decide their future is very disappointing....WTF Agree with Ace, where is the ticker???
Interesting point you make, so what would be your suggestions (and please take this as a genuine question, Im not trying to take the piss)???
From what I understand they actually subsidized a lot of the fees for their juniors (from Auskick to Colts level). So what other ideas do you suggest the club do for long term sustainability.
Lets not forget their JC made the GF this year, so they have been putting work into their junior program. I heard they were strongly pushing for Joint Registration for juniors with the BLG but the BLG were not forthcoming.
The ground has come along in leaps and bounds over the last 5 years. They are in the process of trying to upgrade the Community Centre, but waiting on grants from the Gov can be tiresome.
The problem for Hamley is there is a huge gap in local players at the senior age bracket. You just can't make numbers appear from nowhere. Everyone had a crack at Hamley when the won how many wooden spoons on the trot, the club didn something about it, won a flag and still everyone wants to criticise. Everyone was happy to bag the president who tipped in money then seem awfully surprised when he leaves they wont have as much money around the club.
It seems they are an easy target for everyone to sit back and have a go at, but noone seems to offer any suggestions of how they improve.
I think you're missing the point.
Whilst there is no doubt putting all the eggs in one basket wasn't an ideal long term plan, I'm not sure anyone bagged the President, in fact it was commendable what one family will do to keep the club going. The pity is that whilst one guy is willing to tip in money which could've bought him a new boat, a number of others wont even invest their time in the club and will play elsewhere for money or to jump on someone else's premiership wagon. I understand it was well known the Prez was pulling the pin at the end of 2014 so I would've thought a lot of effort would've been put into fundraising throughout last year to provide for this year?
Perhaps the senior subs should've been reduced too. I think yours (previously yours) are over $200 from memory or around about anyway? Ours are $70. Lack of locals is an issue for sure, but Hamley aren't the the only ones in this boat. We all want Hamley to survive, so again I reiterate its a pity a number of locals aren't hanging around.
I have no idea if all of these are leaving or staying, I'd say some are staying, but If Schahinger, Smith, Zanendrea (i don't really count him as local but if its good enough for Bushy it's good enough for me), Would (granted he has valid reasons), Appleton, Slok, Natt (been around long enough to chuck in this category) are around in 2015 they would have a good base to start with.
Hopefully Hamley pull through and pick up a couple more "Nattys" who fit well in the group and stay for the mateship not just the cash. It will be a pity if the only ones to ever see your premiership photo hanging in the Community Centre are the Dalkey tennis club. I'd like to think there are 18 blokes in the club that would rather play 2 games a week than let that happen.