Letter to Senator The Hon Rod Kemp, Minister for the Arts and Sport

July 17, 2006

Dear Minister,

I write to you about a matter that is of grave concern to the residents of the Canterbury-Bankstown area, that is the future of Belmore Sports Ground.

The Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club has occupied Belmore Sports Ground for over 70 years but in recent times have decided to leave the local area due in part to the dilapidated state of their beloved home ground. Over the years the facilities at Belmore Sports Ground have not kept pace with the standards required for staging National Rugby League games at the present time.

I am aware that the Federal Government in recent years has made grants available to a number of clubs in Sydney for the refurbishment of their respective home grounds, namely:

* Manly Sea Eagles, Brookvale Oval - $1 million
* St. George-Illawarra Dragons, Oki Jubilee Stadium - $8 million
* Cronulla Sharks, Toyota Park - $9.6 million
* Penrith Panthers, Penrith Stadium - $10 million

As the Federal Government has generously offered grants to the clubs mentioned above, I would humbly request that the same consideration be given to allocating funds to the Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club for the renovation and refurbishment of Belmore Sports Ground. This would enable the Bulldogs to play home games at what has traditionally been their home ground for the past 70 years. Belmore Sports Ground, as you would be aware, has a long and illustrious history as being one of the most enjoyed venues for viewing rugby league in New South Wales.

Through a number of reasons, the ground has not kept pace with the requirements of the modern game and this has brought about a decision by the Bulldogs to consider relocating to another ground. I am aware that Canterbury City Council is desirous to have the Bulldogs remain at Belmore but unfortunately the amount of money required to satisfy the National Rugby League is beyond the Council's scope at this time. For this reason, I am requesting the Federal Government to support the Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club in the same appropriate manner in which they have assisted the four aforementioned clubs.

The Canterbury Bulldogs enjoy very strong cross-cultural support from the many ethnic communities that make up the Canterbury-Bankstown area and beyond. Recognition of the need for community facilities such as a rugby league home ground of the standard required for today's games would bring unparalleled enjoyment to a community that does not have a lot of benefits available in other more affluent areas of the state.

I trust that the Federal Government will give due consideration to this matter and I would appreciate a response in due course.

Yours Faithfully,

Luke Brailey
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