Official Stadium Australia Update

[Chris Harding]

Lidcombe Oval was always good for a few splinters in the bum!

Todd said time and time again that the reason he believed Thursday night footy was here to stay were the crowds were not attracted to the ground ,but to the comfort of the lounge room seat so it didn't matter about the stupid time and the fact it was a work night. That is where he lost me when he made it quite obvious that bums on seats were not a priority but we had to be politically correct and pander to the broadcasters by boosting the TV ratings.

Footy was meant for the 'working class' back in the good old days and the creature comforts were always secondary. grounds we could not get to (mostly the away games) were the ones we watched on TV either ABC or Channel 7 ( later Channel 10) games called by Rex Mossop

Heck I remember when the old grandstand at Belmore was blocked by a tar covered hill where your only option was to stand and watch the game and stand we did. Even the infamous Canterbury Rd Leb shed was short on viewing and the seats were as hard as a rock but it was the fact that you were actually there that was the attraction. Wet days were just that, very wet with next to no cover from the rain but you sucked it up and watched the game....In those days too, don't forget it was a whole day of footy with three grades and the gates opened at something like 10 am in the morning. Used to live in Punchbowl so hopped on the train to Belmore and walked to the ground through the park. It was a massive day with plenty of fun and footy and who could forget the cold pies and the hot drinks!!!! Two entrances to the ground one on each side. Ah the good old days......

The old grandstand was the original MA Noble stand, transported brick by brick from the SCG.

 

[Dog Till I Die]

Oh so he runs the state does he and pays the bills!
He doesn't own the game, the fans do...well at least did. Honestly if league died people would forget about it in a few years...in fact it has been dying for years with continual rule changes and iron fist tactics of the NRL.

The recent hi-jinx over broadcast rights demonstrates clearly, at least to me, just how beholden the NRL is to its paylords. For me, the reason why the stands are bare is patently clear: the fan, the backbone of the game, has been totally shunted in the game's quest to sell its soul to the highest bidder. No number of cardboard props or camouflaged seats will disguise the fact the game has become a TV commodity. And the tissue-like grip Foxtel now has on commercial solvency makes it abundantly clear just how the game's fortunes are predicated on those of the broadcasters. The NRL has done its best to alienate its fan base. And it will come back to haunt the code again and again. Vlandys may have kickstarted the code in the midst of a pandemic and stolen a march on the AFL. But wait till this blows over and crowds start flocking back to Aussie Rules while our shiny new four stadiums languish in emptiness and spider webs. Four new stadiums will do diddley squat to entice the fan back to suburban grounds while the TV dollar remains the code's ultimate quest!

 

[DinkumDog]

The recent hi-jinx over broadcast rights demonstrates clearly, at least to me, just how beholden the NRL is to its paylords. For me, the reason why the stands are bare is patently clear: the fan, the backbone of the game, has been totally shunted in the game's quest to sell its soul to the highest bidder. No number of cardboard props or camouflaged seats will disguise the fact the game has become a TV commodity. And the tissue-like grip Foxtel now has on commercial solvency makes it abundantly clear just how the game's fortunes are predicated on those of the broadcasters. The NRL has done its best to alienate its fan base. And it will come back to haunt the code again and again. Vlandys may have kickstarted the code in the midst of a pandemic and stolen a march on the AFL. But wait till this blows over and crowds start flocking back to Aussie Rules while our shiny new four stadiums languish in emptiness and spider webs. Four new stadiums will do diddley squat to entice the fan back to suburban grounds while the TV dollar remains the code's ultimate quest!

In that sense, nothing has changed in 25 years. Super League was entirely about TV rights despite the News Limited spin. And we saw how that ended too.

 

[chris_e_fresh]

Fucking manly how do those flops deserve a new stadium

 

[dogluva]

The recent hi-jinx over broadcast rights demonstrates clearly, at least to me, just how beholden the NRL is to its paylords. For me, the reason why the stands are bare is patently clear: the fan, the backbone of the game, has been totally shunted in the game's quest to sell its soul to the highest bidder. No number of cardboard props or camouflaged seats will disguise the fact the game has become a TV commodity. And the tissue-like grip Foxtel now has on commercial solvency makes it abundantly clear just how the game's fortunes are predicated on those of the broadcasters. The NRL has done its best to alienate its fan base. And it will come back to haunt the code again and again. Vlandys may have kickstarted the code in the midst of a pandemic and stolen a march on the AFL. But wait till this blows over and crowds start flocking back to Aussie Rules while our shiny new four stadiums languish in emptiness and spider webs. Four new stadiums will do diddley squat to entice the fan back to suburban grounds while the TV dollar remains the code's ultimate quest!

Our illustrious ex leader made it patently clear that bums on seats was not a priority. Now that no one can attend they feel the need to insert cardboard cut outs in an attempt to make the ground look inhabited and at $22 plus GST to boot......

 

[Qld-Dog]

Fucking manly how do those flops deserve a new stadium

I am not a lover of manly however, I do agree its time they got a decent Stadium TBH have you ever visited Brookvale oval? it is a dump just like Belmore Sports ground is and I used to live in the area.

 

[chris_e_fresh]

I am not a lover of manly however, I do agree its time they got a decent Stadium TBH have you ever visited Brookvale oval? it is a dump just like Belmore Sports ground is and I used to live in the area.

yeah I’ve been there fuck
Them still

stadiums should be multipurpose for different sports we won’t get a stadium and will be stuck at anz

 

[CroydonDog]

It's time for the NRL to adopt long term AFL style thinking and aim to build its own stadium in Sydney, close to a major PT hub.

Every time I walk around Docklands, I'm impressed by the set up.

 

[DinkumDog]

This seems to explain a fair bit...

The powerful Sydney Cricket & Sports Ground Trust will have control of all the state's stadiums as part of a new super agency to run NSW's sporting and entertainment venues.

Businessman and the chair of the SCG Trust Tony Shepherd will lead the body, to be created through a merger with Venues NSW, the government agency responsible for all stadiums including ANZ.

Sydney Olympics mastermind and SCG Trust deputy chair Rod McGeoch will be deputy chair of the new body and members of the board are likely to include radio broadcaster Alan Jones and Venues NSW chair Christine McLoughlin.

Mr Shepherd, who had planned to stand down as chair of the SCG Trust when his term expires in October, said the agency would put NSW "in a very strong position" for world class events.

"When we have the new Sydney Football Stadium, as well as ANZ and Bankwest at Parramatta, we will have the best stadiums in the country and this will put us in a strong position to bid for international tournaments in men and women's sport," Mr Shepherd said.

He said this could include the 2027 Rugby World Cup as well as major concerts.

"This is timely because COVID gave us time to pause and think and the Premier called this and she has absolutely made the right decision because this will make a big difference," Mr Shepherd said.

The merger comes after the Berejiklian government last month dumped its plan to redevelop ANZ Stadium and will redirect the $800 million saving to a new $3 billion infrastructure and job fund.

A new super trust, which would have included the SCG Trust, was announced by former premier Mike Baird in 2015 when he unveiled plans to spend $1.6 billion upgrading stadiums.

But in 2017, the state government reneged on the commitment to combine the SCG Trust with other organisations that run publicly owned sporting grounds and it remained a standalone entity.

Acting sports minister Geoff Lee said the new body, which is yet to be named, would attract blockbuster events and drive economic activity.

"This merger is about placing NSW in the best possible position to attract the most exciting
and sought after events so the entire state can benefit from the economic stimulation," he said.

"We have made the investment in stadiums and infrastructure which are the envy of the
world and now it’s time to ensure we get maximum returns."

An interim advisory board will oversee the development of the operating model for the body, and will include long-standing board members of the SCG Trust and Venues NSW.

The Trust, which manages the Moore Park sporting precinct, including the SCG and the Allianz Stadium site, has a reputation as one of Sydney’s most powerful institutions and exclusive clubs.

Other members of the high-powered SCG Trust board include former News Corp chairman John Hartigan and former Deutsche Bank and ABC chairman Maurice Newman.

All Venues NSW and SCG Trust contracts, agreements and membership entitlements with sporting codes, clubs, partners and members would "be honoured and preserved by the merged entity".

But Labor's sports spokeswoman Lynda Voltz said the merger was "too little, too late".

She said the Berejiklian government had ignored a key finding in a 2015 report into Sydney's sporting venues by former NSW Liberal leader John Brodgen.

"The Brogden report recommended [a super trust] be the first step in the stadium strategy, which would underpin Mike Baird's announcement that ANZ Stadium be the first to be redeveloped," Ms Voltz said.

"The failure to put the SCG Trust in Venues NSW from the beginning has led to the outcome we have today which is ANZ Stadium is not being redeveloped and the Sydney Football Stadium is."

The creation of the body was approved by NSW cabinet on Monday.

 

[Spoonman84]

This seems to explain a fair bit...

The powerful Sydney Cricket & Sports Ground Trust will have control of all the state's stadiums as part of a new super agency to run NSW's sporting and entertainment venues.

Businessman and the chair of the SCG Trust Tony Shepherd will lead the body, to be created through a merger with Venues NSW, the government agency responsible for all stadiums including ANZ.

Sydney Olympics mastermind and SCG Trust deputy chair Rod McGeoch will be deputy chair of the new body and members of the board are likely to include radio broadcaster Alan Jones and Venues NSW chair Christine McLoughlin.

Mr Shepherd, who had planned to stand down as chair of the SCG Trust when his term expires in October, said the agency would put NSW "in a very strong position" for world class events.

"When we have the new Sydney Football Stadium, as well as ANZ and Bankwest at Parramatta, we will have the best stadiums in the country and this will put us in a strong position to bid for international tournaments in men and women's sport," Mr Shepherd said.

He said this could include the 2027 Rugby World Cup as well as major concerts.

"This is timely because COVID gave us time to pause and think and the Premier called this and she has absolutely made the right decision because this will make a big difference," Mr Shepherd said.

The merger comes after the Berejiklian government last month dumped its plan to redevelop ANZ Stadium and will redirect the $800 million saving to a new $3 billion infrastructure and job fund.

A new super trust, which would have included the SCG Trust, was announced by former premier Mike Baird in 2015 when he unveiled plans to spend $1.6 billion upgrading stadiums.

But in 2017, the state government reneged on the commitment to combine the SCG Trust with other organisations that run publicly owned sporting grounds and it remained a standalone entity.

Acting sports minister Geoff Lee said the new body, which is yet to be named, would attract blockbuster events and drive economic activity.

"This merger is about placing NSW in the best possible position to attract the most exciting
and sought after events so the entire state can benefit from the economic stimulation," he said.

"We have made the investment in stadiums and infrastructure which are the envy of the
world and now it’s time to ensure we get maximum returns."

An interim advisory board will oversee the development of the operating model for the body, and will include long-standing board members of the SCG Trust and Venues NSW.

The Trust, which manages the Moore Park sporting precinct, including the SCG and the Allianz Stadium site, has a reputation as one of Sydney’s most powerful institutions and exclusive clubs.

Other members of the high-powered SCG Trust board include former News Corp chairman John Hartigan and former Deutsche Bank and ABC chairman Maurice Newman.

All Venues NSW and SCG Trust contracts, agreements and membership entitlements with sporting codes, clubs, partners and members would "be honoured and preserved by the merged entity".

But Labor's sports spokeswoman Lynda Voltz said the merger was "too little, too late".

She said the Berejiklian government had ignored a key finding in a 2015 report into Sydney's sporting venues by former NSW Liberal leader John Brodgen.

"The Brogden report recommended [a super trust] be the first step in the stadium strategy, which would underpin Mike Baird's announcement that ANZ Stadium be the first to be redeveloped," Ms Voltz said.

"The failure to put the SCG Trust in Venues NSW from the beginning has led to the outcome we have today which is ANZ Stadium is not being redeveloped and the Sydney Football Stadium is."

The creation of the body was approved by NSW cabinet on Monday.

ANZ will never have another dollar spent on it again with the SCG Trust taking over.

 

[DinkumDog]

ANZ will never have another dollar spent on it again with the SCG Trust taking over.

Yep - and now it’s clear to see how the original ANZ rebuild and SFS renovation got flipped on its head and now how ANZ won’t be touched at all. Imagine the wasted money and time on the ANZ renovation plans now shelved - our tax dollars hard at work - kowtowing to please the rich and powerful of the Trust.

The only thing on me keeping my ANZ membership now is which direction the Dogs go in and if they stay there longer term or consider a bigger commitment to Bankwest because there’s little other choice. If they withdraw or substantially reduce ANZ as ‘home’ then I’m out too.

 

[DinkumDog]

Received from Stadium Australia this morning. Our 'home' ground is no longer called ANZ Stadium:

After 12 years and hundreds of memorable moments, ANZ Bank will no longer hold the naming rights to Australia’s home ground, with the Olympic venue transitioning back to its original name, Stadium Australia. The ANZ era has featured unforgettable sporting moments, concerts and special events. ANZ has been a great partner and we thank the banking group for its support over many years.

The end of the ANZ Stadium naming rights contract will see Stadium Australia back in the spotlight to kick off 2021, until we secure a new naming rights sponsor for the Stadium. You will notice our new brand shortly on our website, signage and social media.

 

[Shire Dog]

Received from Stadium Australia this morning. Our 'home' ground is no longer called ANZ Stadium:

After 12 years and hundreds of memorable moments, ANZ Bank will no longer hold the naming rights to Australia’s home ground, with the Olympic venue transitioning back to its original name, Stadium Australia. The ANZ era has featured unforgettable sporting moments, concerts and special events. ANZ has been a great partner and we thank the banking group for its support over many years.

The end of the ANZ Stadium naming rights contract will see Stadium Australia back in the spotlight to kick off 2021, until we secure a new naming rights sponsor for the Stadium. You will notice our new brand shortly on our website, signage and social media.

I actually like Sydney Stadium, does that ring a bell !

 

[DinkumDog]

I actually like Sydney Stadium, does that ring a bell !

Ha, yeah, that place formerly in Rushcutters Bay.
Pretty sure Stadium Australia was chosen for the Olympics and renaming it beyond a naming rights sponsor would cause constitution headaches etc. Easier to retain the original name.

 

[DinkumDog]

I feel better about renewing Stadium Australia with only 5 home games now - it also gives you access to the 4 Dogs games at Bankwest plus the pesky Wabbits home game at SA, so 10 Sydney games to attend + the Belmore game (Dogs Membership) so 11 out of 25 - the other 14 being 12 away games and the 2 'home' games in Perth and Brisbane (Magic Round).

 

[CroydonDog]

in other news, its no longer ANZ Stadium...'(from austadiums.com.au)

Name change for ANZ Stadium
Cameron Voss | Monday 14th December 2020

Sydney’s ANZ Stadium has reverted back to its non-commercial name of Stadium Australia, following the conclusion of the current naming-rights partnership with ANZ Bank.
The change of name has occurred with little fanfare, with the stadium’s social media accounts and official website updated on Saturday (December 12), but no accompanying media release to confirm the change.
The Olympic Stadium has been known as ANZ Stadium for the past 12 years, since the bank purchased the naming-rights in December 2007 in an initial seven-year deal from January 2008, which was later extended.
When announced in 2007, ANZ’s $4.5 million annual sponsorship, valued at $31.5 million over seven years, was Australia's biggest stadium naming-rights agreement. The terms of the extended deal in 2014 were not revealed.
The 83,500-capacity stadium was meant to be undergoing a major $810-million redevelopment, however the NSW Government abandoned these plans earlier this year and the stadium is again hosting sports events.
The National Rugby League hoped the $810 million earmarked for the redevelopment would be redirected to the upgrade of smaller suburban stadiums in Sydney, however just $3 million was allocated for a business case to upgrade Kogarah in the recent NSW budget announced.
With the NRL seemingly pushing for more games at suburban venues in the future, it could mean less games for Stadium Australia, with current tenants Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs to potentially play out of a new stadium in Liverpool, while the South Sydney Rabbitohs could also be on the move in future years.

Stadium Australia no longer hosts AFL or cricket, and while it is home to marquee events including the NRL Grand Final, State of Origin, Bledisloe Cup and major concerts, the potential of less events in the future may impact its ability to source a new commercial naming-rights sponsor, especially following the economic impact of Covid-19.
The next event scheduled for the Homebush venue was Sydney FC’s A-League season-opener, however since NSW crowd restrictions have eased, the club has relocated the A/W-League double-header back to its usual (albeit temporary) home ground – Jubilee Stadium.
The round 4 Sydney Derby between Sydney FC and the Wanderers will remain at Stadium Australia however, with the big clash to take place on January 16 to take advantage of the larger capacity and expected demand. The stadium will host 14 regular-season games during the 2021 NRL season and the NRL Grand Final on October 3.
VIEW UPCOMING EVENTS AT STADIUM AUSTRALIA >
Prior to being called ANZ Stadium, the venue was known as Telstra Stadium from 2002 for a period of six years, when the Telco purchased rights to both the Olympic Stadium and Melbourne’s Docklands Stadium (now Marvel Stadium).
From its opening in 1999 until its first commercial naming-rights deal two years after the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and during major events which require a ‘clean stadium’ including the 2003 Rugby World Cup and 2015 AFC Asian Cup, the venue was known by its non-commercial name.
The venue recently hosted a ‘Stadium Golf’ activation between December 4 and 13, with the venue referred to as ‘Royal Stadium Australia’ – where the public could hit golf calls off various tees throughout the stadium onto holes painted on the playing field.
While the change of name has already taken place on its digital channels, the physical signage at the stadium itself will take some time to complete, with no timeframe known as yet.
Stadium Australia has been contacted for comment.

 

[Bob dog]

How could the Premier even consider blowing 800 million on artsy fartsy bullshit?
Glad it got cancelled.

 

[KLil]

Talking of stadiums the SFS or whatever they want to call it construction is flying.. been driving past it over the last few weeks and everyday there is something new.

 

[bulldogsmyte]

Knew this was coming ... Maybe just maybe if Vlandys was here earlier then roosters getting their new stadium through corruption wouldnt have happened ... ANZ was always the most logical option as it serves bigger live events and concerts and is more practical to get in and out of... The whole thing stinks.

The proposed rebuild of the Olympic Stadium and Football Stadium is a disgrace and a waste of tax payers money. The SFS just needed some renovation to modernise it for compliance instead of a knock down and rebuild. There was nothing wrong with the structure. Olympic Stadium is barely 20 years old. This was simply jobs for the boys and politics.

 

[TwinTurbo]

The SFS just needed some renovation to modernise it for compliance instead of a knock down and rebuild. There was nothing wrong with the structure.

There was a hell of a lot wrong with the SFS structure, from concrete rot to rusting reinforcement. The building insurance assessor refused to grant any further extensions, it had already had 3 over 5 years. Plus it could not comply with the safety standards in regards to fire and emergency evacuation within its current footprint. It wasn't possible, for example, to just add a few doors and stairs to meet the compliance standards. The venue licence expired in December 2019 and wasn't going to be renewed, which also meant public liability insurance cover was not obtainable. Can't hold any events there without a licence and insurance.

From a personal viewpoint, it was a shit hole, it wasn't that great 42 years ago and barely met the standards required of a major stadium back then. From queueing for over half an hour for the toilet to more than that for a beer and/or a pie. The corporate facilities were nothing less than atrocious and were a major factor in advertisers/sponsors not renewing.

There could be some debate over Stadium Australia, but not the SFS, it's time was well and truly up and it would have cost multiples to refurbish it. Knock it down and build properly was the only sensible solution.

Go Dogs