Sturt v Port @ Coopers April 5th confirmed

[Dutchy]

SANFL News
12 MAR 2013
DOUBLING THE BLUES
By ZAC MILBANK | Twitter: @zacmilbank

Sturt is fighting back.

Just a week after launching their ambitious membership drive, the Double Blues have already banked close to $40,000 on the back of 300 new signatures.

And while the club’s Fightback 5000 campaign is still in its infancy, Sturt has also revealed it will shift its Round 2 clash with Port Adelaide - from Unley to The Parade - in another move to create more revenue.

‘’The footy club now has to focus on traditional income streams and a key part of that is matchday income – at the gate and catering,’’ Sturt chief executive Matt Benson said.

‘’We’re absolutely delighted that Norwood is an option for us to play home games. We’re also really delighted at the outcome for football and for the support that both Lion Nathan and Coopers have given to this decision. It reflects their great support of local football.’’

Benson also thanked the Redlegs for assisting their fierce on-field rival, particularly in allowing the Double Blues to train at The Parade on the Tuesday before the match, which will be played on Friday April 5 at 7.10pm.

‘’We thank the Norwood Football Club for wanting to embrace the concept as well,’’ Benson said.

‘’The Parade is the best option for the Sturt Football Club to play night football.’’

Sturt coach Seamus Maloney has also thrown his support behind the game being transferred despite losing home-ground advantage against the Magpies.

‘’The football department has been very supportive of all the initiatives thrown up,’’ Benson said.

‘’They want to play night football and they understand the Adelaide Oval is no longer available. Our performances at The Parade over the last couple of years have been a mixed bag but we’ve also had some very good games there. If the blokes turn up ready to play, there’s no reason why they can’t turn it on at The Parade just as they have done at Unley.’’

While Benson is encouraged by the initial response to the club’s Fightback 5000 campaign – the aim is to have 5000 members sign before Round One – he acknowledges the hard slog has only just begun.

‘’It’s going along really well but there’s a lot more work to do,’’ Benson said.

‘’We’re absolutely serious about committing to a figure of 5000 and then if we can get that in place, the sustainability of our business model starts to look very good.’’

[matt1]

Makes sense, well done Sturt.

[whufc]

Good on Norwood for allowing this to happen!

With attitudes like this there is still a future for the SANFL

[LPH]

Although I believe this is a positive move - in terms of maximising gate revenue, I think it's a bit strange to say "Well done Norwood".

Surely, they will get the bar & food revenue & Sturt probably have to pay a fee to use the ground.

It is in Norwood's interests to allow it, isn't it?

[whufc]

Although I believe this is a positive move - in terms of maximising gate revenue, I think it's a bit strange to say "Well done Norwood".

Surely, they will get the bar & food revenue & Sturt probably have to pay a fee to use the ground.

It is in Norwood's interests to allow it, isn't it?

They could have easily said p**s off Sturt you can keep going broke playing at Unley Oval, this a great result for the SANFL competition and couldn't have been achieved without Norwoods approval

[Fricky]

I did read somewhere that the bars will be split 50/50 West End/Coppers so you would think that both Norwood and Sturt get the respective incomes from this. Haven't heard who gets the gate takings or how much Norwood and charging Sturt for use of the oval though.

[Jimmy_041]

I heard about this yesterday at a lunch and we will all be going along
No better place in the world on a Friday night than Coopers Stadium (other than the Robin Hood)

[DOC]

This is the start of the Norwood and Sturt merger.

[Go Legs]

Not if Fester can help it!!!

[am Bays]

This is the start of the Norwood and Sturt merger.

Norwood won't merge with Sturt.

[RustyCage]

A good common sense outcome by all involved

[Barto]

This is the start of the Norwood and Sturt merger.

Norwood won't merge with Sturt.

The Illogical Option.

[Sojourner]

Although I believe this is a positive move - in terms of maximising gate revenue, I think it's a bit strange to say "Well done Norwood".

Surely, they will get the bar & food revenue & Sturt probably have to pay a fee to use the ground.

It is in Norwood's interests to allow it, isn't it?

Agreed, it has nothing to do even remotley with benevolance towards the Sturt FC from Norwood, a commercial case was put to them and they made their decision based around that. Its their ground that needs the additional maintenance and so on.

Guess there will be huge queues on the night for the West End taps, best get there early to line up...

[JK]

Although I believe this is a positive move - in terms of maximising gate revenue, I think it's a bit strange to say "Well done Norwood".

Surely, they will get the bar & food revenue & Sturt probably have to pay a fee to use the ground.

It is in Norwood's interests to allow it, isn't it?

Agreed, it has nothing to do even remotley with benevolance towards the Sturt FC from Norwood, a commercial case was put to them and they made their decision based around that. Its their ground that needs the additional maintenance and so on.

Guess there will be huge queues on the night for the West End taps, best get there early to line up...

Obviously that "commercial case" put to Sturt was still beneficial to them, for them to elect to proceed with it .. Also, I think if you research it well enough you will find there was most definitely a benevolent aspect to it.

[whufc]

Although I believe this is a positive move - in terms of maximising gate revenue, I think it's a bit strange to say "Well done Norwood".

Surely, they will get the bar & food revenue & Sturt probably have to pay a fee to use the ground.

It is in Norwood's interests to allow it, isn't it?

Agreed, it has nothing to do even remotley with benevolance towards the Sturt FC from Norwood, a commercial case was put to them and they made their decision based around that. Its their ground that needs the additional maintenance and so on.

Guess there will be huge queues on the night for the West End taps, best get there early to line up...

Obviously that "commercial case" put to Sturt was still beneficial to them, for them to elect to proceed with it .. Also, I think if you research it well enough you will find there was most definitely a benevolent aspect to it.

Exactly no matter what reasons Norwood said yes it's a benefit to Sturt and the SANFL, I'm sure it wasn't a light decision to let another club be a 'home' team at your ground.

There is a future for the SANFL if clubs can work together

[dedja]

Not sure why Norwood are getting kicked ... I hate them with a passion but can't see much wrong with what they've done here.

Looks like a good outcome all round.

Hopefully they get a good crowd, hit the Coopers and eat lots of Bass burgers ...

[Psyber]

This is the start of the Norwood and Sturt merger.

Norwood won't merge with Sturt.

And certainly not if the debt came with them.
However, I've tended to related to Sturt as my second choice team in the SANFL, and I'm not opposed to such a merger if it came without the debt - and with some territorial incentives.

[Dutchy]

Sturt should look at playing a home game at Norwood against Norwood, would draw a huge crowd IMO>

[mighty_tiger_79]

i think what Norwood have done should be commended, not be criticised

[Muffler]

I heard about this yesterday at a lunch and we will all be going along
No better place in the world on a Friday night than Coopers Stadium (other than the Robin Hood)

Any reason for you Jimmy