| Need for Oval upgrade |
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| Written by Daniel |
| Sunday, 09 September 2007 10:00 |
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Saturday Night's sell-out crowd of 20,000 at a fast-decaying Brookvale Oval for the Sea Eagles v Rabbitohs semi-final highlighted once and for all how sadly the old ground remains in the dark ages. The spiritual home of the Sea Eagles simply isn't up to the standard required for a prestigious competition like the NRL and the time is fast approaching when it won't meet the criteria set down to play in the competition. And that leaves two options: upgrade the facilities of the ground or move the pride of the Saturday Night's sell-out crowd of 20,000 at a fast-decaying Brookvale Oval for the Sea Eagles v Rabbitohs semi-final highlighted once and for all how sadly the old ground remains in the dark ages. The spiritual home of the Sea Eagles simply isn't up to the standard required for a prestigious competition like the NRL and the time is fast approaching when it won't meet the criteria set down to play in the competition. And that leaves two options: upgrade the facilities of the ground or move the pride of the peninsula to a modern venue. The former option is the one the club will press hard on starting next Tuesday - when a delegation from the Sea Eagles will meet Premier Morris Iemma over possible State Government funding for an upgrade of Brookvale Oval. Grounds used throughout the NRL have received substantial government support over the past few years. Many of the grounds have been in marginal electoral areas. A figure of around $25-$30 million is needed to knock down and rebuild sections of the ground and install a multi-purpose surface to satisfy all codes of football. That would enable rugby league, rugby union, soccer and Australian Rules to be played at a sporting headquarters the people of the northern beaches deserve. There is a charm about Brookvale Oval that we all love and when packed there are few grounds like it for raw atmosphere. The hill on the Pine St side of the ground has been a meeting place for generations. It is the same hill that a young Steve Menzies sat with his grandpop Mackie Campbell watching the legends of the '70s like Eadie, Fulton, Randall and Krilich go around. Campbell would recall the early days after World War II when he was a centre in Manly's maiden side to play in the then NSW Rugby League competition. That tradition can never be lost and neither can the time-honoured period after matches when young boys and girls can kick a footy around the ground where their heroes had played just minutes earlier. It would be a terrible shame if the ground became an eyesore through lack of funding. And who would play there if the Sea Eagles were forced to go elsewhere? It was sardine-like on the hill with massive lines for the inadequate toilet facilities and food outlets. I love Brookie but I don't want to love her to death! Forget about how we traditionally vote, Mr Premier, and give us what you have given just about every other NSW-based club in the NRL. |
