News GC Licence put off until February

[Stereophonic]

THE AFL will wait until February before making final decision on whether to grant GC17 an official licence to play in the competition.

The AFL Commission discussed the issue at Monday's meeting and League chief executive Andrew Demetriou said they had been impressed with the progress made by GC17.

"We have presented some of the work we have been doing since the last meeting which relates to the financial modelling," Demetriou said.

Demetriou said the League would work on the issue through January and be in a position to present a final submission to the Commission in February.

"I think it suggests that things are looking pretty positive," Demetriou said.

"We all know that GC17 is training hard under Guy McKenna and team is getting ready for the TAC Cup.

"They have got their senior appointments in place and there is a shortlist for the CEO position. We all know this team is coming in 2011.

"When we make a decision we know it will be the right one based on making sure we have done everything to honour what we said at the start about not disadvantaging our clubs, our players and our other stakeholders."

Demetriou said the potential 18th licence in west Sydney was not on Monday's agenda but confirmed it remained in the AFL's sights.

"We didn't discuss the timing of west Sydney," he said.

"The Commission has spent two days in greater Sydney looking at various sites and meeting interested people who indicated they'll support a team in greater Sydney.

"We're still very bullish about our plans for the 18th licence.

"We did speak briefly about the Tasmanian submission we received on Friday and that full-blown submission will go to the Commission in February."

http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=70849


So we wait......

 

[samiam]

The longer they wait, the worse things look for the Gold Coast.

 

[CoastBhoy]

AFL to kick in for gym facilityNick Smart

December 16th, 2008

THE AFL will throw in $250,000 towards a top class gymnasium for the Gold Coast Football Club at their Carrara base.

But the GC17 bid team must wait until February for what seems an inevitable green light to become the league's 17th team.

It is understood the same issue remains -- the league working with the slow-moving State Government in the hope they kick in funding for an upgrade of Gold Coast Stadium.

"We all know that GC17 is training hard under Guy McKenna and team is getting ready for the TAC Cup," said AFL boss Andrew Demetriou.

"They have got their senior appointments in place and there is a shortlist for the CEO position.

"We all know this team is coming in 2011.

"When we make a decision, we know it will be the right one based on making sure we have done everything to honour what we said at the start about not disadvantaging our clubs, our players and our other stakeholders."

GC17 chairman John Witheriff has remained positive throughout the waiting period, because he has always believes that 'actions speak louder than words.'

That was further confirmed yesterday when GC17 project manager Scott Munn revealed a new gymnasium for the club's playing list, who will play in the under-18 TAC Cup next season.

A facility will be built in the Gold Coast Stadium grounds, with specific training equipment not believed to be available elsewhere on the Coast.

It has been commissioned by the AFL, who it is believed will kick in $250,000.

"We are hoping to have that built by the end of January and the boys will be working there on their four-day-a-week program," said Munn. "We have just been rapt with the progress so far, and I think we are going to be very competitive when we go to pick that first (TAC Cup) team in April."

Munn said the plan is to house both the football department and the club's administration staff at Carrara.

"We are modelling it on the same system that Geelong has used, which is a purpose-built facility that will house all of our gymnasium equipment and any other testing and medical equipment we need," he said.

"We already have set up the football department and their offices are up and running.

"We will look to move in some of the admin staff in the new year as well."

Munn said the bid team, which has smashed the AFL's set criteria, were not concerned about the delay in granting the club its licence.

"We always knew it would take some time to get an outcome," he said.

"For us it is small steps forward, and if they are committing hundreds of thousands of dollars to build facilities, we are pretty confident and happy with that."

"We are really just really focussed on the TAC Cup next season.

"Every time we speak to the AFL we are supported in our decisions.

"We are just about to commission a brand new gymnasium, all the coaches are up here full-time now and are all systems go for next year.



Slowly coming together , wish they would hurry up though.

 

[Stereophonic]

Hey CB, just a matter of when brother, just a matter of when

 

[phurry]

I don't mind the wait. We'll be in the TAC cup next year and i can't wait to watch those games and i'm sure our AFL licence will happen in the new year.
I'm just keen on the memberships and also seeing what our jumper will look like.

 

[Father Jack]

I've decided that it is all about generating publicity ahead of the new season, especially up here.

 

[Stereophonic]

I actually dont live on the GC, what is the actual mood like among the punters in regards to the GC???

Has recent events changed anything?

 

[SwampCreature]

Could be just a way to generate hype, but no solidairty is never good news under any circumstances. I'm not worried, but it would be assuring to know for sure.