Sturt to sell home ground naming rights
Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:06 pmSturt to sell home ground naming rights
Michelle Etheridge - Messenger Newspaper report
30Jan08
Sturt chief executive Stuart Totham.
STURT Football Club is about to join a string of SANFL clubs to sell the naming rights to its home ground.
Unley Council last night (January 29) gave the club approval to sell the sponsorship for Unley Oval for two years but the Double Blues are remaining tight lipped about the ground's new name.
The move will end more than 100 years of tradition at the Oxford St ground, which has been called Unley Oval since 1901 when the City of Unley was proclaimed.
Sturt chief executive Stuart Totham expected details of the contract to be finalised within the next couple of days.
``This opportunity's been on the table for the past couple of years,'' he said.
``Fortunately we've now got someone interested.''
After Unley Oval is renamed, North Adelaide, Port Adelaide and Woodville West Torrens will be the only SANFL clubs to keep their home grounds' original names.
Mr Totham believed Sturt fans would be supportive of the change.
``It's not a new thing we're not breaking any ground,'' he said.
``I don't expect a backlash.''
A report in the council agenda predicted the two-year agreement could earn the club between $10,000 and $25,000.
Mr Totham would not comment on the cost of the contract but said the deal would bring ``new money to the club''.
As reported in the Eastern Courier last week, the club's annual report shows a deficit of $106,000 - a better result than the $468,000 loss in 2006.
``It's not going to fix everything overnight but these things certainly help, that's for sure,'' Mr Totham said.
The council approved the sale of the oval's naming rights on the condition that no permanent signage would be placed at the ground and it's formal name in council publications would remain Unley Oval.
The council voted 9-1 to allow the sponsorship, with Cr Lachlan Clyne labelling the move ``a way for (Sturt) to further increase revenue and kick along with the good times''.
Cr Jennie Boisvert was the only elected member to not support the proposal: ``One of the Sturt Football Club catch cries is their home is in Unley and their home is Unley Oval,'' she said.
Michelle Etheridge - Messenger Newspaper report
30Jan08
Sturt chief executive Stuart Totham.
STURT Football Club is about to join a string of SANFL clubs to sell the naming rights to its home ground.
Unley Council last night (January 29) gave the club approval to sell the sponsorship for Unley Oval for two years but the Double Blues are remaining tight lipped about the ground's new name.
The move will end more than 100 years of tradition at the Oxford St ground, which has been called Unley Oval since 1901 when the City of Unley was proclaimed.
Sturt chief executive Stuart Totham expected details of the contract to be finalised within the next couple of days.
``This opportunity's been on the table for the past couple of years,'' he said.
``Fortunately we've now got someone interested.''
After Unley Oval is renamed, North Adelaide, Port Adelaide and Woodville West Torrens will be the only SANFL clubs to keep their home grounds' original names.
Mr Totham believed Sturt fans would be supportive of the change.
``It's not a new thing we're not breaking any ground,'' he said.
``I don't expect a backlash.''
A report in the council agenda predicted the two-year agreement could earn the club between $10,000 and $25,000.
Mr Totham would not comment on the cost of the contract but said the deal would bring ``new money to the club''.
As reported in the Eastern Courier last week, the club's annual report shows a deficit of $106,000 - a better result than the $468,000 loss in 2006.
``It's not going to fix everything overnight but these things certainly help, that's for sure,'' Mr Totham said.
The council approved the sale of the oval's naming rights on the condition that no permanent signage would be placed at the ground and it's formal name in council publications would remain Unley Oval.
The council voted 9-1 to allow the sponsorship, with Cr Lachlan Clyne labelling the move ``a way for (Sturt) to further increase revenue and kick along with the good times''.
Cr Jennie Boisvert was the only elected member to not support the proposal: ``One of the Sturt Football Club catch cries is their home is in Unley and their home is Unley Oval,'' she said.
