By Luke Brailey
Back to Belmore Inc. President

It unfortunately appears that we are all at an impasse regarding Belmore Sports Ground due to resistance to workable solutions and exhaustion of creativity but I firmly believe and hope that a workable and amicable solution is still possible.

I am a spokesman for the silent majority of Bulldogs supporters who wish to return to our spiritual kennel in some sort of capacity. Belmore is synonymous with the Bulldogs and is the football club's lifeblood. The Bulldogs' need a local area to identify themselves with and a select number of home games per year at an upgraded BSG would surely fulfill the desires of most Bulldogs supporters, as we would rather have 50% of something, than 100% of nothing.

At the Bulldogs AGM on February 12 2006 I asked a closed question, requiring a simple yes or no answer, to the Chairman, Dr. George Peponis, whom I respect and admire enormously, whether the newly-elected board of directors would be willing to make a concerted effort to work with the relevant parties to ensure that our spiritual kennel be upgraded to NRL standards to host a select number of home games per year in the long-term future.

Unfortunately, Dr. Peponis sidestepped a direct answer to my question, sugar-coating the harsh reality that money is more important than fans by using transparent euphemisms like 'sound financial deal', 'financial windfall' and 'commercial opportunities' when describing the 15-year contract with Telstra Stadium.

If Oki Jubilee Stadium can get $8 million and Penrith Stadium can get $10 million from the Federal Government, why can't Belmore Sports Ground get any sort of government funding? At the very least, Canterbury Council should've applied for a low-interest loan made available through the NSW Government's Sporting Ground Improvement Fund. BSG represents over half a century of heritage and history but the football club and council must realise that investment is needed to make sure that significant improvements can take place.

It is not rocket science that millions of dollars are needed to upgrade BSG, the majority of which needs to come from Federal Government funding. Neither Canterbury Council, the Bulldogs football club or the [Canterbury] Leagues Club, despite being the wealthiest club in New South Wales, could afford to fully fund an upgrade to the sports ground. Once again, the Federal Government should step in to make sure that this historic facility isn't lost for future residents of the Canterbury-Bankstown community and Bulldogs fans.

I draw particular attention to Canterbury Leagues because it has always been a proud supporter of the local community. Furthermore, the revenue generated from the club is for the benefit of the members and the community and the club returns a significant amount of money to various charities, community and sporting organisations in the Canterbury-Bankstown district.

An upgraded Belmore Sports Ground would recognise the needs and desires of local residents and boost civic pride for many years to come. BSG could be used by an even broader spectrum of the community, generate income and revenue that will sustain future growth and maintenance and ensure the sports ground is used on a daily basis.

Canterbury Council should furthermore adopt some sort of master plan to guide potential improvements to Belmore Sports Ground and take into consideration the different sports that could use the playing field, the types of community festivals and events that could be staged, and the need for the sports ground to retain its local character.

In the fair dinkum department, I am nobody important. I am just a local resident and Bulldogs supporter who is concerned about the future of this community asset. Many disenfranchised and apathetic people will say that one person cannot make a difference. The Unknown Rebel in Tianemen Square epitomised the notion that one person can make a difference, no matter how small or insignificant they are. Perhaps I am the Unknown Rebel of Belmore Sports Ground. I urge past and present Bulldogs players to come together and support the Back to Belmore campaign.