New club in Queensland

[Richoagain]

From the AFLQ website.

New Club in Hervey Bay Given the Nod
Thursday 31 July 2003

Approval has been given this week for the formation of a new AFL club in Hervey Bay for the 2004 season.

With extensive growth of the game in the Bundaberg/Wide Bay region in recent years, AFL Bundaberg/Wide Bay and AFL Queensland have announced that a new club will be admitted to the Hinterland/Wide-Bay League.

AFL Queensland and AFL Bundaberg Wide-Bay officials have held meetings with the Hervey Bay Bombers and the Hervey Bay City Council in relation to the new club.

AFL Queensland Football Operations Manager Murray Bird said that the approval is a great step forward for the game in the region.

“AFL in Hervey Bay has a strong tradition,” Mr Bird said. “With the work of the volunteers of the Hervey Bay AFC and AFL Queensland Development Manger Anthony McDonald, the future looks excellent for the sport.

“This base, along with southern migration to the area, should ensure a prominent place for Australian Football in the Bay’s sporting landscape.”

Earlier this year, Bundaberg Wide-Bay clubs, Hervey Bay, Brothers Bulldogs, Across the Waves and Maryborough amalgamated with southern clubs Bribie Island, Glasshouse, Gympie and Pomona to form the enormously successful Hinterland/Wide-Bay League.

AFL Bundaberg Wide-Bay President Alan Lewis said that the decision to allow a new club was excellent for further development of the sport.

“The league and our clubs are genuinely excited about the possibility of another club in the Bay,” Mr Lewis said.

“The sport is growing rapidly at the junior level and it makes sense to have another club in the town. The Bombers are a great club and that is acknowledged by the league and AFL Queensland. We believe they will remain strong, because there is room in Hervey Bay for two AFL clubs.”

The push for a second club has been led by AFL Bundaberg Wide-Bay and interested locals, such as Hervey Bay policeman, Jason Bryant.

Bryant has already been proactive in raising revenue, recruiting players and administrators, and locating a playing and training venue.

A public meeting will be held at Pialba Hotel on Wednesday August 6, 2003, commencing at 7.00pm. The meeting will discuss the foundation of the new club and appoint a working party to incorporate the entity.

For further information Alan Lewis and/or Jason Bryant can be contacted on (07) 4125 1166 (Alan) or 0415 382 462 (Jason).

[Phil Doyle]

The NSWAFL didn't even return our phone calls!

[Dogwatcher]

The NSWAFL dont like you do they Phil?

[dj21]

Originally posted by Phil Doyle
The NSWAFL didn't even return our phone calls!

I don't know that they would have much to say about the Bundaberg/Wide bay region. Or have I missed something?

[Phil Doyle]

I say good luck to Hervey Bay. What surprised me was the amount of support and resources the AFLQ had put into setting up the new club, whereas at the Mountain Lions we've got nada out of the NSWAFL - they're not interested.

Hats off to AFLQ - that's how you support a new club in a non-traditional football area. The NSWAFL are clueless. Maybe we should move Katoomba to Queensland?