Melb Home: Brunswick Street

[maroon and blue]

State, Federal, and AFL funds have been put into Arden Street and Punt Road.
Why shouldn't equivalent funds ( about $16M) be put into Brunswick Street?
The benefits are and varied:
.To create a community hub for Fitzroy residents.
.To improve amenities for Fitzroy Amateur Football Club and Juniors.
.To create a historical reference point for Fitzroy Football Club.
.To provide training facilities for the Brisbane Lions , the direct historical link
to the Fitzroy Football.

Food for thought.

 

[catters05]

State, Federal, and AFL funds have been put into Arden Street and Punt Road.
Why shouldn't equivalent funds ( about $16M) be put into Brunswick Street?
The benefits are and varied:
.To create a community hub for Fitzroy residents.
.To improve amenities for Fitzroy Amateur Football Club and Juniors.
.To create a historical reference point for Fitzroy Football Club.
.To provide training facilities for the Brisbane Lions , the direct historical link
to the Fitzroy Football.

Food for thought.

And i think a Fitzroy Lions VFL club.

A strong link to Victoria will help the Brisbane Lions.

I actually dont understand why the BLions didnt do this to start with,

Have a Brisbane City Bears in the QAFL and a Fitzroy Lions in the VFL. Rotate the players through both clubs depending on what was required.

Brisbane City Bears play at a smaller inner-city surburban ground like Coorparoo over the Gabba, unless being pre-match, and also Fitzroy plays pre-match when BLions in Victoria.

 

[maroon and blue]

And i think a Fitzroy Lions VFL club.

A strong link to Victoria will help the Brisbane Lions.

I actually dont understand why the BLions didnt do this to start with,

Have a Brisbane City Bears in the QAFL and a Fitzroy Lions in the VFL. Rotate the players through both clubs depending on what was required.

Brisbane City Bears play at a smaller inner-city surburban ground like Coorparoo over the Gabba, unless being pre-match, and also Fitzroy plays pre-match when BLions in Victoria.

Thanks Catters for the comments. Hopefully people like Roylion get on board.

 

[Roylion]

Unfortunately I don't think the AFL are in the least bit interested in the Fitzroy Football Club, despite the fact that the club was part of their competition for 100 years. They were firmly on the side of the Brisbane Lions in the recent logo dispute. Getting funds from them will be almost impossible, even if the Brisbane Lions were co-operative.

Fitzroy are slowly re-building the club at Brunswick Street and perhaps in time some of these aims will be achieved. Already the amenities have been improved and the club will at some point house new honourboards and the like from their 128 year old history.

Certainly its my view that the Brisbane Lions should establish a Melbourne social club in Fitzroy or Northcote. Probably not at the Brunswick Street Oval, but somewhere close.

 

[catters05]

Unfortunately I don't think the AFL are in the least bit interested in the Fitzroy Football Club, despite the fact that the club was part of their competition for 100 years. Getting funds from them will be almost impossible.

Fitzroy are slowly re-building the club at Brunswick Street and perhaps in time some of these aims will be achieved. Already the amenities have been improved and the club will at some point house new honourboards and the like from their 128 year old history.

Forget the AFL, this is up to the Brisbane Lions.

This would be a massive investment from a club to the fans, and would have a massive reward i believe for the Lions.

 

[Roylion]

Where would the Brisbane Lions find another $1-2 million a year to fund a VFL club? Most VFL clubs are aligned with Melbourne based clubs in any case and the Brisbane Lions certainly would not allow THE Fitzroy Football Club to compete in the VFL and align themselves with a Melbourne based club such as North Melbourne.

While it would be fantastic to see Fitzroy in the VFL and I'd certainly follow them, I just can't see it happening.

 

[maroon and blue]

Where would the Brisbane Lions find another $1-2 million a year to fund a VFL club? Most VFL clubs are aligned with Melbourne based clubs in any case and the Brisbane Lions certainly would not allow THE Fitzroy Football Club to compete in the VFL and align themselves with a Melbourne based club such as North Melbourne.

While it would be fantastic to see Fitzroy in the VFL and I'd certainly follow them, I just can't see it happening.

I ask the question, would you be in favour of it. Don't be so sure the AFL would be disinterested. You might find their outlook suprisingingly favourable. There's more to it than you think.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Would be nice, but the Lions couldnt afford it.

If we are able to negotiate one of those government chip-in deals, I'd rather see it spent on turning Giffin Park, Coorparoo into a full-on year round training facility.

 

[catters05]

Where would the Brisbane Lions find another $1-2 million a year to fund a VFL club? Most VFL clubs are aligned with Melbourne based clubs in any case and the Brisbane Lions certainly would not allow THE Fitzroy Football Club to compete in the VFL and align themselves with a Melbourne based club such as North Melbourne.

While it would be fantastic to see Fitzroy in the VFL and I'd certainly follow them, I just can't see it happening.

Get rid of Fevola for a start.

Some ideas.........

Victorian Lions Membership restructure to include Fitzroy VFL Game access (Money to go to this)

Company sponsorship (think long term to begin with), imagine the attention with the idea of Fitzroy Lions running around in the VFL again, would be huge for an up and coming company. Possibly even QLD companies sign up with Fitzroy Lions to gain some coverage in Victoria.

Fitzroy competition tickets at the AFL games when Fitzroy is playing pre-match, going around at half time during AFL game. Prizes to QLD or Car or something.

Afternoon outs for the games then hang around the club to watch the AFL team on TV with the VFL boys

Gets some crowds to the VFL games, i wouldnt be suprised if Fitzroy ended up with the biggest average crowds for VFL.

Brisbane Lions train at Brunswick street and maybe one of the days during the season has a family day during season, and everyone watch the VFL.


Sometime during the season, maybe in the middle have a Brisbane City Bears (QAFL) vs Fitzroy Lions (VFL) match that one year plays at Brunswick and the next plays at Coorparoo or something OR could be a curtain raiser.



I believe if done correctly the Fitzroy Lions acctually wouldnt cost the Brisbane Lions anything. IF anything, it would add a profit to the Brisbane Lions and most inportantly bring Fitzroy and Brisbane closer together and the fans.

 

[catters05]

Would be nice, but the Lions couldnt afford it.

If we are able to negotiate one of those government chip-in deals, I'd rather see it spent on turning Giffin Park, Coorparoo into a full-on year round training facility.

They could if they planned it correctly.

 

[Hollow Knight]

They could if they planned it correctly.

We've just poured a stack of capital into the Springwood Social club. We aren't the most liquid club financially, and we don't have the balance sheet to be negotiating strong finance arrangements.

Can't see the Victorian government coming to the party either.

 

[maroon and blue]

Would be nice, but the Lions couldnt afford it.

If we are able to negotiate one of those government chip-in deals, I'd rather see it spent on turning Giffin Park, Coorparoo into a full-on year round training facility.

We're talking about the Vic State Govt. and federal interests in Victoria. But by all means approach Mz Bligh. We can have both.

 

[maroon and blue]

We've just poured a stack of capital into the Springwood Social club. We aren't the most liquid club financially, and we don't have the balance sheet to be negotiating strong finance arrangements.

Can't see the Victorian government coming to the party either.

And how did North Melbourne get their funding? Be positive.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Like I said, it's a great idea, but I can't see it being a priority for the club, at least not in the short term.

Springwood is their major investment at the moment, and we've also gone on a recruiting spree at admin and footy department level, despite our relatively modest financial position. They'll want to be careful about overextending themselves while they try to right the ship.

Really struggle to see the Victorian Government or the AFL jumping on board with it either. We know are a two-town team, but I don't think the AFL or Vic government see it that way.

 

[maroon and blue]

Like I said, it's a great idea, but I can't see it being a priority for the club, at least not in the short term.

Springwood is their major investment at the moment, and we've also gone on a recruiting spree at admin and footy department level, despite our relatively modest financial position. They'll want to be careful about overextending themselves while they try to right the ship.

Really struggle to see the Victorian Government or the AFL jumping on board with it either. We know are a two-town team, but I don't think the AFL or Vic government see it that way.

The Victorian and Federal bodies will jump on board. This is about a community facility, for instance Arden St; achieved significant federal funding for being the home of the Australian fencing association. Essendon are doing something similar with Windy Hill/ wherever.

 

[MacMum]

I think it is a brilliant idea...worth a try..why not??

If we don't try, things don't get achieved..

As the others have pointed out, we have money problems, nevertheless, its worth having a go..

..simply because it seems so much common sense, and a solution to a few issues....might also help heal some rifts..

 

[maroon and blue]

Just imagine, you're going to the big game at the G against the Pies, 60,000 plus people. On the Thursday night before you go to Brunswick St. oval, watch the boys train, suck in the history at the historic museum , then catch a 2 minute tram ride to the eateries/pubs in Brunnie St. Then on the Saturday walk to the G thru the Fitzroy gardens. Heaven.

 

[Dylan12]

Just imagine, you're going to the big game at the G against the Pies, 60,000 plus people. On the Thursday night before you go to Brunswick St. oval, watch the boys train, suck in the history at the historic museum , then catch a 2 minute tram ride to the eateries/pubs in Brunnie St. Then on the Saturday walk to the G thru the Fitzroy gardens. Heaven.

Don't get me wrong m&b, I love Fitzroy as much as anyone, but this will just never happen...the additional expenses in accommodation and the fact players are away from normal routines etc...will see this never happen, although I love your optimism.

 

[Roylion]

Victorian Lions Membership restructure to include Fitzroy VFL Game access (Money to go to this)

Yes. Although there's also the problem of finding a ground, which has to be paid for and maintained. The Brunswick Street Oval is not up to the standard required for VFL.

Company sponsorship (think long term to begin with), imagine the attention with the idea of Fitzroy Lions running around in the VFL again, would be huge for an up and coming company. Possibly even QLD companies sign up with Fitzroy Lions to gain some coverage in Victoria.

Quite problematic in my view. Most existing VFL clubs have sponsors and they barely make ends meet without their aligned AFL club kicking in money. I just cant see the Brisbane Lions wanting to provide a club alignment where it has to ship some of its list down to Victoria to play. If that doesn't happen, then Fitzroy would have to find a Melbourne based club to align with and that's not going to be allowed either.

Fitzroy competition tickets at the AFL games when Fitzroy is playing pre-match, going around at half time during AFL game. Prizes to QLD or Car or something.

The money goes to Fitzroy Football Club or the Brisbane Lions?

Afternoon outs for the games then hang around the club to watch the AFL team on TV with the VFL boys

Where? At Brunswick Street?

Gets some crowds to the VFL games, i wouldnt be suprised if Fitzroy ended up with the biggest average crowds for VFL.

Brisbane Lions train at Brunswick street and maybe one of the days during the season has a family day during season, and everyone watch the VFL.

Training could occur at Brunswick Street and in fact representation has been made to the Lions to do exactly that. However VFL football won't be played at Brunswick Street, unless there was a significant upgrade to the whole ground, including the building of a fence so that admission could be charged. The local residents would kick up considerable opposition for a start. Another venue would have to be found.

I believe if done correctly the Fitzroy Lions acctually wouldnt cost the Brisbane Lions anything. IF anything, it would add a profit to the Brisbane Lions and most inportantly bring Fitzroy and Brisbane closer together and the fans.

Look in an ideal world, it all sounds great. I wish it would happen. However for a whole host of reasons I just don't think it can.

 

[Roylion]

The Victorian and Federal bodies will jump on board. This is about a community facility, for instance Arden St; achieved significant federal funding for being the home of the Australian fencing association. Essendon are doing something similar with Windy Hill/ wherever.

Essendon and North Melbourne are current AFL clubs and while they can argue that their new facilities are for the whole of their local community, their clout as AFL clubs also went a long way to securing that funding. Fitzroy just doesn't have the same clout.

 

[Roylion]

What might (and it is a big 'might') work is to establish a joint venture with an existing VFL club, with its own ground, where that club would wear Fitzroy's jumper and adopt Fitzroy's name for a set amount of matches, similar to what Coburg-Fitzroy had in 1999-2000. Victorian supporters of the Brisbane Lions could be given membership of that VFL club as part of their Victorian membership, which would also include six Victorian Brisbane Lions AFL games. Let's say for example the club charges $150 for Victorian membership. $120 of that membership could go to the Brisbane Lions, while $30 of the membership could go to the VFL club along with all match day proceeds. I'm sure any existing VFL club would be rapt to have a membership of at least 3-5,000 per year.

However there are a few problems with this as well. Would Fitzroy supporters adopt it (especially now that the actual Fitzroy Football Club plays in the VAFA in its own right at Brunswick Street)? There is the AFL club alignment question and what stake Fitzroy Football Club and/or the Brisbane Lions would have in the VFL club (if any). There's also the VFL club's current supporter base who may not be keen to see their own club's identity diluted.

I'd also look at finding a new social Victorian club venue closer to the city, (preferably in or around the Fitzroy - Northcote area). The Manningham, while it was personally good for me (I live in the eastern suburbs), wasn't that good for various Lions' club activities because of the distance from the grounds the Lions play at and the fact that there's no public transport there.

What about looking at leasing or coming to some sort of similar arrangement with a licensed venue somewhere in the northern suburbs, preferably in Fitzroy, to provide a Lions shop and social club? The Lions attempted to secure the Charles Albion in Northcote at the time of the merger, (which would have been perfect, but due to various reasons didn't come about). There's also the Fitzroy Bowling Club right next to the Brunswick Street Oval, though that may be a little small.

Fitzroy Football Club already own their own shop, selling their own merchandise and may also one day consider moving that into Fitzroy, perhaps even to the Brunswick Street Oval or some other Fitzroy venue. A little bit of co-operation might work wonders.

 

[dannitori]

Would love for it to happen, as Fitzroy is becoming a very powerful club (especially in the junior ranks). A couple of things though. Don't expect too much help from the Yarra City Council, footy ovals/sporting facilities are not their favourite thing to spend money on. Only hope would be from the State Government... may be a good time to push it with the coming election.

 

[OldLion]

Would love for it to happen, as Fitzroy is becoming a very powerful club (especially in the junior ranks). A couple of things though. Don't expect too much help from the Yarra City Council, footy ovals/sporting facilities are not their favourite thing to spend money on. Only hope would be from the State Government... may be a good time to push it with the coming election.

Let's just get the Roys up to B / A Section in the VAFA - it's starting to happen and now with the new coaching group and more juniors graduating, 2011 at Brunswich St. will be exciting. Forget the elite level - they just want to expand to Parramatta. No fun there.

BTW - the dozers have gone thru' Vic Park which has opened it right up.

 

[dannitori]

Yeah, been seeing what they have been doing to Vic Park... it has opened up a lot. Sill has those horrid black and white stripes though!

 

[Carn the Roys!]

BTW - the dozers have gone thru' Vic Park which has opened it right up.

Dozers are a start. I think you'd need a couple of B52's to really do the job justice though.