Club steps up for people with blood cancer
The Leukaemia Foundation acknowledges the incredible support it continues to receive from Parramatta Leagues Club. In 2012 the Leukaemia Foundation received a generous grant from the Parramatta Leagues Club of $23,562.50.
The grant money was used to help the Foundation continue its patient transport service, provide financial assistance to people and their families affected by blood cancer as well as improve the Foundation’s accommodation facilities at Westmead.
“This generous grant has allowed the Leukaemia Foundation to provide important services in the local Parramatta community.” said Chris McMillan, General Manager for the Leukaemia Foundation.
With over 4,000 people diagnosed each year in NSW and no ongoing government support, funding such as that provided by Parramatta Leagues through the ClubGRANTS scheme is vital for the Foundation to continue its work.
Everyday 31 Australians receive the devastation diagnosis of blood cancer – that’s 31 too many. You can help the Leukaemia Foundation support these people whose lives change drastically upon diagnosis.
To find out more about the Leukaemia Foundation and it Mission to Care and Vision to Cure, visit www.leukaemia.org.au
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Important Notice
The Parramatta Leagues Club Board of Directors continue to be disappointed with inaccurate material posted on the 1eyedeel website.
It should be noted that Member Mr Phil Sim was cited by the Parramatta Leagues Club Board of Directors for conduct unbecoming a Member. This process is confidential, principally to protect his interest as a Member. That confidence has not been honoured in circumstances where the process is still in train and not completed.
The assertion that the disciplinary proceedings prevent Phil from standing in upcoming elections is both false and misleading. Phil, under the Club’s constitution clause 27 (b), is ineligible to participate in the election as a candidate, attend the AGM or vote. Sadly, this is yet another example of content on this website and otherwise placed in the public domain designed to undermine Members' confidence in the Club.
The Parramatta Leagues Club Board of Directors appreciates that such websites are a facility to enable people to express their views. However, the fact that a Member of the Club, who owns and maintains the website, is not prepared to ensure the website is used to publish fair comment and not used to publish false, misleading and defamatory comment remains a matter of concern.
Parramatta Leagues Club Board of Directors
Roy Spagnolo OAM
Sid Kelly OAM
Lyn Wallace
Robert Sassen
Mario Libertinni
Joe Saad
Eric Grothe Snr
Note: No further comment will be provided until this process is finalised.
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Naming Rights Opportunity at Parramatta Stadium
Venues NSW Chairman John Quayle has announced a search is on for Parramatta Stadium’s
first ever naming rights sponsor.
Venues NSW has today invited expressions of interest from potential naming rights sponsors for
the iconic regional sporting ground.
“This is an exceptional opportunity for the right company to associate their brand with
Parramatta’s home of sport,” said Mr Quayle.
“With both the Parramatta Eels and Western Sydney Wanderers in residence, the stadium is a
strong player in the local community.
“More than 28,000 cars pass the stadium every day, making it a highly visible landmark in the
Parramatta region.
“Hosting more than 20 major events and 200,000 spectators each year, the stadium is a
valuable community asset that will benefit from the investment a naming rights sponsor will
bring,” he said.
Mr Quayle said the naming rights sponsor will gain a significant presence in the Parramatta
region.
“Venues NSW is seeking to enter a long-term agreement with the right party and we are excited
to take this opportunity to the market,” he said.
Venues NSW is also seeking a naming rights sponsor for Hunter Stadium. Expressions of
interest should be submitted by 28 March 2013.
For more information, please visit the Venues NSW website at
www.communities.nsw.gov.au/venuesnsw
Media contact: Laura Hofman or Megan O’Neill (02) 8233 1350
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Eels Pre-Season Trial Games 2013
Pre-season is flying by and our first trial match is almost here. Here are the details about our upcoming matches.
Saturday February 2
Parramatta Eels V Newcastle Knights
Armidale
$15 Adult
$5 Child (6-14 years)
Under 6 years free
Saturday February 16
Parramatta Eels V Wests Tigers
Campbelltown Sports Stadium
General Admission Tickets
$20 Adult
$10 Concession
$40 Family
Tickets go on sale on the 23rd of January
Saturday February 23
Parramatta Eels V Penrith Panthers
Centrebet Stadium, Penrith
Ticket details coming soon...
more
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Free $20 Christmas Gift for all Members
There has never been a better time to be a member of Parramatta Leagues Club or Vikings Sports Club!
As our Christmas gift to you, we will be rewarding all members who visit the Club from December 1 to 25 with a free $20 dining voucher!
Simply swipe your Members card in the Members kiosk and take your coupon to our front desk staff to redeem your free voucher. If you wish to renew your membership at this time you will also receive your bonus $10 or $20 renewal voucher!
Ask your family and friends to join before November 28 2012, so they too can take advantage of this offer. Joining is easy, just visit the Club and our friendly staff will take care of the rest!
Terms & conditions: The vouchers are not transferrable for cash and no change is to be given, Only one (1) voucher will be accepted per transaction. The voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, special or discount. All vouchers expire 25/12/12.
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Group CEO's Report
At Parramatta Leagues Club celebrations and special occasions are daily occurrences and for many, these special moments are magical memories that last a long time.
Due to our extremely pleasing financial results this year the Club has been able to give more back to our members via promotions and improvements to our Club facilities. This includes upgrades to our function rooms, new escalators and the opening of our Legends Lounge cafe, bar and TAB. In addition, we have donated over $1,369,000 to numerous charities as part of our commitment to supporting our local community.
Your valued support has enabled us over the past year to collectively give away over $450,000 to our lucky Mega Cash winners as well as a BMW Series 3 and a Mercedes C-Class. These are just some of the highlights from the past year and I'm sure that these are moments these members will never forget.
This December, as our Christmas gift to you, Parramatta Leagues Club is giving back to our members in an even bigger way.
We will be rewarding each member who visits our Clubs from December 1-25 with a free $20 dining voucher. It’s our way of saying thank you for being loyal members. If your family or friends are not already members of the Club they can also take advantage of this offer by joining prior to November 28.
I look forward to seeing you in the Club over the festive season and I hope you and your family enjoy the many promotions and special offers we have tailored exclusively for our members.
Robert Bentley
Group Chief Executive Officer
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Eels announce Armidale trial as part of new UNE deal
The Pirtek Parramatta Eels are proud to announce the re-signing of one of the Club’s major apparel sponsors in the University of New England on an upgraded deal for the 2013 and 2014 seasons.
Eels players and the people of western Sydney will be afforded even greater access to cutting edge sports science courses and facilities with UNE’s ‘Future Campus’ set to open on Parramatta’s Church Street next year.
The partnership will see the Eels play a trial match in Armidale against the Newcastle Knights in the 2013 pre-season as part of the team’s annual training camp, and UNE insignia feature on the front of the Eels’ 2013 match jersey.
Pirtek Eels CEO Bob Bentley said access to UNE’s state-of-the-art facility in Parramatta – and the main campus facilities in Armidale – would be advantageous to head coach Ricky Stuart as he looks to rebuild the Eels side.
“In an industry as competitive as rugby league you’re always looking for any area where you can get ahead and give your team the resources to improve,” Bentley said.
“For us, player welfare and education is just as important as on-field performance.
“Our partnership with UNE not only offers our players an important pathway to furthering their educations, it gives us access to some of the best sports science facilities in the country.
“We think it is important to ensure players have a meaningful career when their playing days are over and higher education plays a key part in that.”
UNE Vice-Chancellor Jim Barber said the continued Eels sponsorship was part of the University’s focus on sport.
“Our partnership with one of the country’s best known National Rugby League teams compliments UNE’s state-of- the-art facilities and new specialties in sports management and physical education,” Professor Barber said.
“We hope to further enhance our reputation for sporting excellence in the coming years and the Eels are part of that strategy.”
Newly-appointed Eels Welfare and Education Officer Luke Burt said the continued partnership fitted with the Eels and the NRL’s encouragement of players to undertake higher education and training.
“I finished my studies with UNE when they joined the Club last year and am in a good position to provide advice to our guys on the importance of tertiary education,” Burt said.
“We have a few other players studying including Tim Mannah and Pat O’Hanlon and I definitely think there’s recognition there that they are setting themselves up for life after footy.”
Professor Barber said Eels territory in Western Sydney was a significant market for UNE with more than 2000 of its Distance Education students residing in the area.
Professor Barber said that presence will increase in 2013, when the Future Campus is opened on Church Street.
“The Future Campus will give distance education students the opportunity to collaborate with peers and instructors through cutting edge video conferencing facilities,” he said.
The Future Campus is expected to open to students from Trimester 1 2013.
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The Big Send-Off for Burty and Hindy
The end of an era.
Sydney’s biggest regular season crowd for a single game in NRL history bid farewell to Pirtek Parramatta Eels legends Nathan Hindmarsh and Luke Burt at ANZ Stadium on September 2.
The 45,863 figure eclipsed that of the 41,835 that farewelled Hazem El Masri in 2009 when his Bulldogs side played the Warriors.
The figure was also the NRL’s biggest crowd of the 2012 season, a mark previously held by the Round 2 Broncos v Cowboys match at Suncorp Stadium which attracted 43,171.
Pirtek Parramatta Eels Chief Executive Bob Bentley said Eels Members and supporters should be proud of their achievement.
“Our members and fans showed their true colours and made Nathan and Luke’s farewell one to remember,” Bentley said.
“It’s been a tough season but to say goodbye to two legends of our Club in such a fantastic atmosphere is something of which all Eels supporters should be proud.”
Two of the Eels’ most popular players of all time, Burt and Hindmarsh will both go down as statistical marvels, with some amazing figures to their names.
Burt retires as one of the game’s most significant point-scorers. He is the all-time leading try-scorer for Parramatta with 124, beating out Brett Kenny’s 110 last season. In his 264 games he added 646 goals and five field goals to tally 1793 points, putting him at eighth all-time in rugby league history.
He is the second-highest point-scorer for the Eels behind Mick Cronin. He has three hat-tricks in his career and scored a double on 25 occasions. His best haul was 28 points (twice) which remains an Eels club record for points in a game.
Hindmarsh, meanwhile, will go down as the player who re-defined the modern second-rower’s game.
In 15 incredible seasons with the Eels, he made a staggering 12,203 tackles in the NRL. Over his 330 games this works out to 36.9 tackles a match throughout his career, a phenomenal effort.
Not including his debut season in 1998 (when metres gained weren’t included in stats counts) Hindmarsh has run with the ball in hand for 32,456 metres. Over that 14-year span from 1999 to now, this equates to 103.7 metres a game, proving he was just as effective in attack as in defence.
Since average minutes per game were collated from 2001 onwards, Hindmarsh has been above 70 minutes a match every season except this one, his last, where he’s still at approximately 67 minutes a game. In six of the past 12 seasons he has averaged more than 75 minutes a match, an incredible feat for a forward that got through his quantity, at his quality.
He has 60 tries to his name, and only had to face the dreaded ‘nudie run’ once in his career (last season). He scored a double on seven occasions but never a hat-trick, however he provided arguably the Eels’ most memorable moment of the 2012 season in his last game, slotting his first ever penalty goal between the uprights to finish his career.
Hindmarsh also took out the Ken Thornett Medal as the Eels’ best seven times and could easily make that eight this season. He played 23 games for Australia, 17 Origins for New South Wales, a Country Origin game, two NRL All-Stars matches and three games for the Prime Minister’s XIII (plus countless trial games).
Thanks for the memories, guys, the Eels faithful will miss seeing you out on the field.
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Winners are Grinners!
If winners are grinners, then the staff at Parramatta Leagues Club have a lot to smile about!
The Club was recently recognised as the Best Club/Hotel/Bottle Shop in the Parramatta Local Business Awards for the second consecutive year.
Club CEO, Robert Bentley, said given the other excellent local businesses named as finalists, it had truly been a great honour to win this award. “The Club is again proud and humbled to have been recognised in such esteemed company,” Mr Bentley said.
“Each year the Club continues to grow from strength to strength, and we have a staff of almost 180 people who put in a lot of time and effort to ensure that the Club continues to provide our members with outstanding service and first class facilities.”
Parramatta Leagues Club management would like to thank the sponsors who made the awards night happen and a very special thanks to our members and guests who voted for us to make all of this possible.
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Ricky Stuart hits ground running for Eels
Pirtek Parramatta Eels head coach Ricky Stuart is wasting no time in preparing for a full-scale assault on the 2013 Premiership, with his team set to train throughout the NRL finals period.
Eels Members and fans have welcomed the appointment of Stuart as coach for the next three years, as the Club looks to rebuild and ensure the strong playing roster fulfils its potential.
Stuart joins the club with a charter from the board and management to build a culture that breeds a strong team bond and turns around on field performances.
After leading the Sydney Roosters to three consecutive grand finals, including the club’s first premiership in 27 years in 2002, Stuart coached the Cronulla Sharks before joining NSW as head coach, rebuilding a strong and competitive team and culture.
Eels Chief Executive Bob Bentley announced the appointment at a press conference in late July.
“Ricky has a proven track record as a coach after a successful career as a player and will be a great fit for the Club,” Bentley said at the time.
Eels Chairman Roy Spagnolo said Stuart’s impact would be immediate.
“We are confident he will be a success at the Eels and will ensure our club returns to its position as a premiership force,” said Spagnolo.
Stuart has given the playing squad the first week of September off before hauling them in for a three-week training period which coincides with the NRL Finals.
The former Blues coach said he was excited at the opportunity at one of the NRL’s premier Clubs.
“The opportunity to have an involvement with a Club that historically has had a powerful and proud presence in our game greatly appealed to me,” Stuart said.
“Importantly, my appointment also provides ongoing stability for my family, especially as we moved into a new home in Sydney in the past year”.
“It is my goal to deliver to the club, our sponsors and our fans a high level of competiveness and success on the football field. It will be a process that will naturally take time, but let’s not forget that success only comes from hard work and commitment from all those who are involved in the rebuild.”
Stuart tenure will officially start in November - in the meantime he will get to know the facilities, staff, players and processes of the Club to ensure he hits the ground running.
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Hindy and Burt farewell moved to ANZ
The Pirtek Parramatta Eels, National Rugby League and NSW Government have tonight announced Nathan Hindmarsh and Luke Burt’s farewell match against St George Illawarra will be played at ANZ Stadium.
The Eels are pleased to confirm all patrons who have purchased tickets to the clash at Parramatta Stadium will accommodated by ANZ Stadium on a priority basis, with these details to be confirmed in coming days.
Negotiations with Fox Sports has also resulted in a 6.30pm kick-off timeslot, making what promises to be one of the showcase matches of the year more accessible to families.
The move follows discussions between Eels Chief Executive Bob Bentley, ARLC Interim Chief Executive Mr Shane Mattiske, players, NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation the Hon Graham Annesley MP, Parramatta Stadium, ANZ Stadium and Fox Sports.
Eels Chief Executive Bob Bentley said the move would ensure thousands of fans disappointed to have missed out on a ticket at Parramatta Stadium now have a chance to see two of the Club’s greatest ever players finish their careers in the blue and gold, as well as Dragons stars and fellow retirees Dean Young and Ben Hornby.
“Next Sunday night is going to be an occasion that no rugby league supporter should miss,” Bentley said.
“We’ve worked hard to reach this point and it’s terrific to have all parties come together to ensure it’s a celebration worthy of the four terrific players on show for the last time.
“From our point of view it’s also important we make it clear all those who have purchased tickets to Parramatta Stadium will receive priority consideration from ANZ Stadium in having their tickets transferred.
“We’ll be able to give further information on ticketing in the coming days and will endeavour to keep our supporters well informed as we count down to the big night.”
ARLC Interim Chief Executive Mr Shane Mattiske said:
“After discussions with Minister Annesley today we have been able to get support from the NSW Government to make the move possible and I certainly thank the Minister for his efforts as well as the Parramatta Club, the Parramatta Stadium Trust and ANZ Stadium.
“It is something we know Parramatta had been keen to achieve for some time and we have reached a point where a number of factors have come together to make it possible.
“The prospect now of four great players playing making their final appearances in the final game of the Telstra Premiership rounds means that the occasion demands a bigger arena.
“The decision by Ben Hornby to retire along-side Nathan Hindmarsh, Luke Burt and Dean Young can now become a game-wide celebration.
“Fox Sports, in moving the match to 6.30pm, have made it more accessible to families and while it is not possible to bring it forward any further the game is now a little more in reach for some.
“ANZ Stadium has assured us that they can accommodate existing ticket holders on a priority basis and those arrangements will be confirmed in coming days.
“Parramatta Stadium and Minister Annesley have been key players in making this possible.
“There is now a real opportunity for fans of all clubs to honour four great servants of Rugby League with a very special goodbye and it promises to be an emotional end to the competition rounds.”
Stay tuned to parraeels.com.au for further announcements on the Eels’ Round 26 clash against St George Illawarra Dragons at ANZ Stadium, including ticketing, transport and game-day information.
SUMMARY
- Eels v Dragons Round 26 NRL game moved from Parramatta Stadium to ANZ Stadium
- Timeslot changed from 7pm to 6.30pm
- Existing ticket holders to be given priority consideration by ANZ Stadium in having tickets transferred
- More details to be announced in coming days
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Joe Hockey visits to discuss the impact of Carbon Tax on Clubs
Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey, Senator Marise Payne and federal Liberal candidate for Parramatta Martin Zaiter, visited Parramatta Leagues Club in recent months to discuss the impact of the carbon tax on Clubs.
Mr Hockey, who met with Parramatta Leagues Club Group CEO Bob Bentley and senior management, said the club is a prime example of the confusion and uncertainty that the tax is causing in the community.
“Parramatta Leagues Club still hasn’t been informed by its electricity supplier how much electricity bills are going to increase – but they know they are going to increase and they know they will have to meet that cost,” Mr Hockey said.
Senator Payne said Parramatta Leagues Club, like many clubs in Western Sydney, was the lifeblood of its community and a key supporter of local sporting teams.
“Parramatta Leagues Club is one of the driving forces behind the Parramatta Eels National Rugby League Club and a significant employer of Western Sydney residents, with 181 workers,” Senator Payne said.
“However, they are an example of a business that loses out when the Government picks and chooses who to compensate for the effects of the carbon tax. The club is in the invidious position of not being able to inform the community of price rises, lest they be attacked by the ACCC or one of Labor’s other various regulators.”
Joe Hockey says that this is a tax that continues to grow as each year passes, “Julia Gillard has been saying that this is not a tax people will have to pay. Well, here is a living, breathing example of people that will have to pay the carbon tax. It is a disastrous tax that is going to have a profound impact on the Australian economy. It is a tax that is buried, but it is everyone’s bill that is going to increase with it.”
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A New Era for Parramatta Leagues Club
April 2, 2012
PARRAMATTA Leagues Club is 53 years young and an institution in the local area, with an honourable history and many great memories supporting the legendary Parramatta Eels NRL team.
Our multi-level complex boasts something for everyone, from a range of dining and bars, to live entertainment. Now the club has taken its offerings to the next level, with Paynter Dixon recently completing stage three of a five-stage master plan to rejuvenate the club as a destination venue.
Stage one of the project involved the expansion of the existing outdoor gaming facilities. The design solution worked on a better organisation of the usable space rather than an increase.
Stage two involved a $1.1m conversion of Sterlo’s Bar to the new Parra Firehouse. This refurbishment transformed Sterlo’s Bar into a stylish pizza, pasta and tapas bar. The new venue is a great place to meet friends for a drink, dine with the family or celebrate a special occasion. Visit on Friday and Saturday nights from 8pm to take full advantage of their free live entertainment and tempting $10 cocktails.
The Club contracted the expertise of high profile hotel industry designer Paul Kelly, the name behind designs for big city venues such as Hugo's Bondi and Cargo Bar, to take Sterlo's Bar into a new era as well as Club industry project managers Paynter Dixon to bring Paul Kelly's vision for Parra Firehouse alive.
Club President, Roy Spagnolo says, “We saw a real need to update our Club facilities. Feedback from our members showed that we needed to create a modern and stylish bar to be enjoyed by family and friends. Situated on the third floor, Parra Firehouse has significantly enhanced the Club facilities, offering a renewed focus on food and bar.”
Stage three was divided into two main components: The renovation of the Tahoe Lounge Room to the new Legends Bar, Café and TAB Lounge. The second part of stage three involved the location and installation of six escalators to serve the upper floors of the Club.
The six escalators installed were delivered by semi-trailer with the crane lifting them off in Eels Place (formally known as Grose Street), over the top of the Club and through the roof. All six escalators were installed and roof panels craned back into position to ensure a watertight area within an incredible eight hours.
Bob Bentley, CEO of Parramatta Leagues Club and Parramatta Eels said, “We want to make time in the club more convenient and enjoyable for our members and guests. This kind of fast and easy access to all levels of the club is the link we have needed since patronage has increased over the years”. The escalators will link to the recently completed Parra Firehouse, as well as the recently opened Legends Lounge.
“This five-stage renovation we’re undertaking is part of a new way of doing business for Parramatta Leagues Club. We’re creating a destination venue with better offerings in food, entertainment and promotions,” Mr Bentley said. Parramatta Leagues Club’s reception area has also seen a facelift as the central welcome area for members and guests.
“Patrons of the club are already enjoying the new refurbishments and can’t believe just how much the Club has improved in such a short space of time. The works won’t stop here. There are two more stages on the cards, with the entire rejuvenation project scheduled to be completed over the next few years,” he said.
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Hindmarsh announces his retirement
Tuesday 27 March, 2012
Arguably the greatest player to have pulled on a Blue and Gold jersey, Pirtek Parramatta Eels captain Nathan Hindmarsh has tonight announced he will retire at the conclusion of the 2012 season.
Hindmarsh, 32, released a video recording tonight with all the laid-back and self-deprecating character that Rugby League fans have come to know and love throughout his magnificent 15-year career.
In his video, available on the Eels website – parraeels.com.au – and in transcript below, Hindmarsh said he had always intended to make an announcement early this year after having made the decision to retire in late 2011.
Eels Coach Stephen Kearney has been aware of his decision for some time, with the Eels coach and management giving Nathan the latitude to announce his decision at his leisure.
“15 years at this legendary club. It’s hard to believe,” Hindmarsh said in his video.
“I made the decision late last year and informed the coach and people close to me that 2012 was going to be my last season.
“I know there has been a lot of speculation about my career of late and I thank the coach and club for giving me the time I needed to make this decision public.
“I was always going to announce it early on in the season, and ideally I would have liked to have done it coming off four wins. But that’s footy isn’t it.
“That’s why I’m announcing my retirement now. I love this club it’s been my life since I was 16. I’ve made lifelong friends, met my wife and watched my kids’ faces light up when I tell them they can come to work with dad.
“I’m hoping that by announcing this, it will take some pressure off my coach, my team mates and the club, so we can get back to focusing on what really matters… winning games.
“I will retire as a one club player which I am very proud of. I’m going to finish my career the same way I started - utterly and deeply exhausted - knowing I have tried my best and left it all on the field.”
Eels head coach Stephen Kearney paid tribute to Hindmarsh’s impact on the game over the past 15 years.
“He’s a guy who pretty much redefined how much work one human being can get through out there on the paddock.
“I don’t know how many times I’ve seen replays of him chasing down wingers and fullbacks, making that last ditch effort that’s the difference between winning and losing matches.
“He’s all about heart and that’s why he’s so respected by everyone who plays the game, as well as loved and admired by those who watch it.
“He’s always put the team and this Club first and they are huge shoes to fill.
“It’s been a tough start to the season for us but the lads are focused on improving from here, and making sure Nathan finishes his playing career on a high note.”
Eels Chief Executive Officer Bob Bentley said:
“Words probably can’t describe what Nathan means to this Club and our supporters.
“When people think of the Eels, they think Nathan Hindmarsh.
“He’s given his heart and soul to this Club on and off the field for his entire career and built his success on sheer hard work and dedication.
“Obviously it would have been terrific for Nathan to have had the chance to announce his retirement after a better start to the season for us, but we’re confident the team can turn this around and make it a season to remember.
“We’re already preparing for one hell of a send-off at the end of the year.
“Nathan is quite simply a living treasure of this rugby league club and we will be doing everything we can to give him the send-off he deserves.
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League clubs more than ready to rumble with Julia Gillard if costs go on a rampage
THEY smashed the anti-pokies reformers and have defended their territory against an incursion by the AFL. Now National Rugby League clubs are heading for an all-in brawl with Labor over its rampaging carbon tax.
If they lose, it's club-ageddon.
On the eve of tonight's State of Origin decider in Brisbane, leagues clubs, which nurture players from Under 6s to the Blues and Maroons, have entered the political arena, knowing their opponent is on painkillers for a dodgy knee. According to Bob Bentley, group chief executive of Parramatta Leagues Club in western Sydney, Julia Gillard's carbon tax will hurt league's heartland, Labor's traditional base, and will have "a significant impact on all clubs in Australia".
more
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Parramatta Leagues Club Board Election
Sunday 22 May, 2011
Please find below a statement from Pirtek Parramatta Eels Chairman Roy Spagnolo regarding yesterday’s Parramatta Leagues Club election:
“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank our Leagues Club members for the confidence and trust they put in us by having us overwhelmingly re-elected for a further term.
“Yesterday’s result was humbling and above all it sent a very clear message that our members are happy with the direction our club is heading.
“We look forward to continuing to serve all associated with the mighty Parramatta Eels.”
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Who voted for a licence to punt?
If the Federal Government gets their way, every Australian will have to apply for a licence just so they can have a $5 punt.
To play a poker machine, the Federal Government wants all players to show identification and register. Players would need to use a card with pre-set spending limits. If you don’t have a card, you can’t play. Once you’ve reached your limit, you will be prevented from playing any machine in Australia for at least 24 hours, maybe longer.
Problem gambling is an area of concern for the broader community, and an issue worthy of government attention. However, a licence to punt treats all poker machine players as problem gamblers. It is no wonder that players are insulted by this treatment. Most recreational gamblers would be unwilling to register and use a card to play – that’s a lot more complicated than simply dropping $20 into a machine.
So pubs and clubs would lose revenue from recreational gamblers, not problem gamblers. This in turn would affect their ability to stay open and offer the range of services enjoyed by their patrons. The cost of a pub meal and a beer will rise.
The other thing that is of concern is the proposed daily withdrawal limits on ATMs in my club. ATMs are commonly located in pubs and clubs because they are cash businesses and are convenient, safe places to withdraw cash.
Options already exist to allow individuals to reduce the maximum daily withdrawal from ATMs by requesting this from their bank. This limit would be in effect at every ATM in the country. Why should all Australians have restricted access to their own money from ATMs in clubs and pubs when the same outcome can already be achieved for those with gambling problems? And if this proposal is to reduce the access of money for problem gamblers, why are the casinos being exempted?
A licence to punt treats all gamblers as problem gamblers. It’s un-Australian.
A licence to punt is an attack on clubs and pubs. It is an attack on your rights as a responsible adult.
Who voted for a licence to punt? Who voted to increase the cost of a beer? Click here to join the campaign and tell your MP that you didn’t.
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Barry O'Farrell Visits Parramatta Leagues
Wednesday 16 March, 2011
Barry O'Farrell took time out today to visit the bingo players in Cafe 88. Barry O'Farrell, the NSW leader of the opposition and Parramatta Liberal Candidate, Geoff Lee walked around Cafe 88, introducing themselves to Bingo patrons. Barry made a brief speech, identifying the key points of his election promise and why change is needed in NSW. Mr O'Farrell was a lucky charm for 78-year-old winner Kathleen Evans. "He was marvellous," she said.
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