Own the Force

[.X.]

Agree, we have just gone through the biggest booms this State has ever seen and nothing much was done to push some of this money Rugby's way. In saying that at least somebody has come up with this initiative ala the Green Bay Packers. My only question is will we still be bound by the ARU rules re recruiting, i.e. do we have to pick up sub standard eastern state players who are eligible to be picked for Australian teams, when there may be a class International player available from overseas, who is capable of contributing to winning a game for the Force, after all a winning team gets bums on seats.

Its a nice theory.

but where are you getting the money for it?

Class International players cost extra. we are struggling to pay standard - let alone extra.

[shasta]

Seems to me the recruirment is going in the right direction. We have never had a decent share of Wallaby top-ups for players who rose through The Force ranks. Hopefully, looking ahead, our players will get better treatment and choose to stay. It looks a good mix of quality WA groomed players and other Australian players with real potential. I'm cautiously optimistic.

[General]

As I hope you realise,the Board is made up of elected and appointed members none of whom are paid a bean and all of whom are and have been giving shedloads of their time to trying to solve the puzzle of the Force against plenty of challenges the Eastern State teams just don't have. We've been working on this new funding plan for quite a while as an eventual model that would see us regaining the keys from the ARU . We did a deal with the ARU in the first place to get some help in keeping the wheels on while we came up with and implemented a sustainable plan. We didn't see the possibility that we could lose the franchise coming and neither did the ARU so we are now trying to fast track our initiative. We need the whole Rugby community to get behind this or at least renew memberships. It's all going to help . I appreciate that this may look like a last ditch effort but it hasn't been. The ARUs involvement in the club is a very positive one and hopefully you will see this reflected in the squad,coaching and the way we perform next season. We might even have a surprise signing or two coming up soon.
General

[Mr X]

Thanks for the answer General! I am well aware of the make up of the board and well the timing of all of this may well be coincidental. If you want a pat on the back for one good idea in 11 years it won't be coming from me.
In a state run by the AFL you have always had the backing of the rugby faithful. We help to start the club and we will continue to support the club to keep the game we love! Yet only in the last 12 months has management thought to engage the fan base and release the idea of the first solid plan for survival.
Maybe some lessons have been learnt by our volunteer elected board and appointees to not ignore the people who actually got us to where we are. I look forward to seeing what else you may have up your sleeves.
May the force be with us!!

[Invictus]

Have expressed interest. Dunno where the money will come from. Perhaps my SMSF will be able to foot the bill??

[General]

Thanks for the answer General! I am well aware of the make up of the board and well the timing of all of this may well be coincidental. If you want a pat on the back for one good idea in 11 years it won't be coming from me.
In a state run by the AFL you have always had the backing of the rugby faithful. We help to start the club and we will continue to support the club to keep the game we love! Yet only in the last 12 months has management thought to engage the fan base and release the idea of the first solid plan for survival.
Maybe some lessons have been learnt by our volunteer elected board and appointees to not ignore the people who actually got us to where we are. I look forward to seeing what else you may have up your sleeves.
May the force be with us!!

No not looking for a pat on the back. Never felt we were ignoring anyone but I can see that some or even many might see that we have. We do need to do a better job at that. It's not been an easy path but I won't fall on my sword just yet. I will however assume that you are doing everything you can to help keep the franchise and ensure the pathway for our young players. Not much to ask if you are indeed a member of the Rugby faithful. For info ,I helped start the club too and over the years I've raised nearly $3mm in sponsorship and put endless hours of my time into a range of support roles through community and professional rugby.My son represented the State in the National Champion U15 JGS squad this year and I dearly want to make sure he has the best pathway possible if he chooses to have a crack at pro rugby. So it seems you and I are completely aligned.
Go the Force.

[Tonkar]

Have expressed interest. Dunno where the money will come from. Perhaps my SMSF will be able to foot the bill??

I would like to know if that's poss and if it is then we could be in for more shares

[westies man]

General you mean last seasons U/15's JGS. X Man has made a valid point however it's time to stop looking in the rear vision mirror and start looking at the windscreen. Time to dig in, scrapping to hold on to what you have brings out the best in people. I'm loving all the young locals coming home.

[westies man]

Agree, we have just gone through the biggest booms this State has ever seen and nothing much was done to push some of this money Rugby's way. In saying that at least somebody has come up with this initiative ala the Green Bay Packers. My only question is will we still be bound by the ARU rules re recruiting, i.e. do we have to pick up sub standard eastern state players who are eligible to be picked for Australian teams, when there may be a class International player available from overseas, who is capable of contributing to winning a game for the Force, after all a winning team gets bums on seats.

Just get your hands in your pocket Beliefs, you've got plenty

[.X.]

Just get your hands in your pocket Beliefs, you've got plenty

speaking of putting hands in their pockets - are you handing over part of your betting fund Westie?

[Alison]

Off topic but does anyone know if the Beach 5s is actually going ahead tomorrow? Not seen anything more about it and can't see what time it starts.

[yungfen]

Off topic but does anyone know if the Beach 5s is actually going ahead tomorrow? Not seen anything more about it and can't see what time it starts.

I have heard it has been cancelled due to lack of teams.

[jono]

Back on topic, woke up to a survey from the force about this share buy.

[Sheikh]

Back on topic, woke up to a survey from the force about this share buy.

Yep. The survey did include a question as to how many shares you wanted to buy, so they appear to be considering not restricting it to 1 share each. I was wondering how they expected to get to 5000 shares seeing as there's probably less than 10,000 members, and a 50% take-up rate at $1000 seemed optimistic.

[jono]

Yep. The survey did include a question as to how many shares you wanted to buy, so they appear to be considering not restricting it to 1 share each. I was wondering how they expected to get to 5000 shares seeing as there's probably less than 10,000 members, and a 50% take-up rate at $1000 seemed optimistic.

I'm interested in more than one. But I've gotta make sure I've got the correct leverage over the wife!