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Rugby
League News:
R2K
defeat highlights Dragons disharmony
Fri 22,
2002 Article by Steven
Williams
The R2K (Return to
Kogarah) team has failed to gain a place on the
St George Leagues Club board following this week's
election.
Running a low budget
campaign the Red & White ticket of Lachlan McLean,
Zoran Mitrevski and Fay Samuel managed a good show
of support but were unable to dislodge any current
board members.
"R2K group's
proposals were illogical and inappropriate'' said
Leagues Club CEO, Peter Doust.
- "People are
using Kogarah Oval for political purposes."
-
- In late 1998, the
St George Dragons and Illawarra Steelers became
Rugby League's first successful merger when they
joined forces into one team. For all intents and
purposes, it was popular amalgamation. In 1999,
their first year as a joint venture, the St George
Illawarra Dragons made their way to the grand final
and almost pulled off the premiership.
-
- Part of the agreement
of the joint venture was that home games would be
split 50/50 between St George and the Illawarra.
Since losing Kogarah Jubilee Oval as the St George
district home ground, fans have been rallying behind
the R2K cause.
-
- R2K advocate a community
based ideal stressing the need for history and tradition.
In particular, they have a platform which recognises
the importance of having a team which represents
their district. They say this is best achieved by
having a local home ground.
In 2001, there were moves towards developing a home
ground at Barton Park in Rockdale but this eventually
fell through.-
- Club administration
has stated if it was possible, they would support
a return to St George Illawarra having a home ground
in the St George district. They did raise certain
barriers which forbade a move back to Kogarah. These
included the purchase of lights, team facilities,
corporate facilities, media facilities, capacity,
parking and residential complaints.
-
- Kogarah Oval itself
is in immaculate condition but the grandstand, built
in the late 1980s, has been allowed to fall into
disrepair. It is relatively new but shows signs
of wear.
-
- "It needs the
once over and a full house" said one participant
to a recent St George v Sutherland soccer match.
R2K supporters also maintain every issue that the
club has raised can be addressed and solved.
-
- Currently, the St
George Football Club Board is appointed by the St
George Leagues Club.
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