Re: Port Rezoning
Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 2:15 pm
RB wrote:areaman wrote:I have asked the Eagles whether they consider we achieved this or not.
Tell us all if you get a reply; would be a little surprised if you did TBH.
I did get a reply from our CEO Peter Schwarz. He noted what I said and mentionde there would be a statement coming out shortly and sent me a copy.
This statement now appears on the website. here it is:
The recent SANFL club boundaries review has resulted in significant changes to the Eagles club zone from September 2014. These changes have been necessitated by the reallocation of the Port Adelaide Magpies Football Club zone between the remaining eight SANFL clubs.
As part of the review process, club President, Kurt Slaven and myself presented to the review committee. The cornerstone of our presentation was to retain as much of our existing zone as possible, particularly those areas that could arguably be called our “heartland”. As a club we argued strongly for this. However, the review process dictated that the final decision on boundaries would be made by the SANFL Commission upon the recommendation of the Review Committee.
Over past boundary reviews there has been pressure placed on the southern border of our zone and over time, small sections have been allocated to other clubs. Due to the size of the area needed to be reallocated (Port Magpies metropolitan zone), and the fact that our zone borders Port’s zone to the north, it was inevitable that the Eagles would be allocated portions of Port’s zone and subsequently large portions of our southern and eastern zone would be reallocated to other clubs. Our country zone, which has produced large numbers of Eagles league footballers has remained unchanged.
As a club we are excited to be working with schools, clubs and communities in the “new” parts of our zone. The Lefevre Peninsula is a traditional football area with well-established clubs and football culture. This is a rich breeding ground for future Eagles league players. The pathway to playing league and AFL football for these young players will now be through the Eagles. We have an enviable record of developing talented footballers who go on to play SANFL league and AFL football and we will welcome them and their families into our club with open arms.
No doubt there are significant challenges facing us in building the “Eagles” brand in the new areas of our zone, but we embrace these challenges and the enormous opportunities that they present for our club into the future.
Eagles members and supporters who live in areas that are no longer in our promotional zone will still, and hopefully, always, remain Eagles members and supporters. A line on a map does not dictate which club you support. Clubs that were previously located in our zone, with which we have enjoyed a fruitful and tremendous relationship with, will still have young footballers that live in our revised zone playing for them. We will continue to work with them in developing those talented young footballers. New clubs to our zone will experience the distinctive Eagles approach to development and we look forward to working with them in providing the best possible pathway to success.
The future of our club is exciting and although the lines on a map may have changed we will continue to do what we do best, that is, be a dominant force in the SANFL competition. I urge all Eagles supporters to continue to support the gold, green and blue with pride and passion.