The Stewart Stand (Background Information)

The Stewart Stand >> Background Information

Back to Belmore Incorporated, a non-profit organisation and grassroots movement, was formed in August 2005 by Luke Brailey, a lifelong Bulldogs supporter and resident of the Canterbury-Bankstown district, following the Bulldogs' intentions to leave Belmore by the end of the decade.

Back to Belmore's primary objective is to bolster public support for State & Federal Government funding for the purposes of upgrading Belmore Sports Ground as a top-class sporting facility that will meet the needs of the community. The secondary objectives are to lobby the Bulldogs Rugby League Club to return to their spiritual kennel for a select number of their NRL home games in the long-term future and to raise awareness of the dilapidated state of the venue caused by neglect in recent years.

The Back to Belmore committee is dedicated to overseeing the preservation and restoration of Belmore Sports Ground. The fundamental philosophy behind upgrading BSG is that the capacity of the ground is to remain the same (at about 25,000 spectators), while the facilities to accommodate them are greatly improved. Coupled to this is the notion that our spiritual kennel is only part of the overall community asset of Belmore, and as such improvements should be made in the whole area.

Back to Belmore Inc. believes that we need greater community awareness and an informed debate on Belmore Sports Ground. The devastating, long-term effects of neglect, dilapidation and deterioration can be seen at BSG today. It clearly demonstrates what lasting damage will be caused by the Bulldogs’ abandonment of their traditional heartland if we do not act immediately. If Belmore Sports Ground is not allocated State and Federal Government funding for a significant upgrade, it will create a bleak future for the Canterbury–Bankstown area and Bulldogs supporters with a keen and heartfelt desire to return to our rightful home ground.

Back to Belmore Inc. has put forward a plan to address the totally unacceptable state of Belmore Sports Ground, in particular through bolstering public support for State and Federal Government funding to upgrade our “spiritual kennel”. The Back to Belmore committee has outlined a clear set of initiatives to ensure a top-class sporting facility that the Bulldogs can call home again.

Grounds such as Oki Jubilee Stadium, Leichhardt Oval, Brookvale Oval, Toyota Park and Penrith Stadium provide the perfect blueprint for Belmore. These grounds all successfully host matches with crowds around or in excess of the 20,000 mark. Belmore's ability to host blockbuster matches is no less than these other quality boutique grounds. The boards of rugby league clubs such as the St. George-Illawarra Dragons, Wests Tigers, Manly Sea Eagles, Cronulla Sharks and Penrith Panthers have committed themselves to upgrading their local sporting venues. As a result, State and Federal Government funding has been forthcoming and the facilities of these grounds have been vastly improved.

Bulldogs’ home games were based at Belmore Sports Ground until 1998. They then made the decision to leave their spiritual kennel and relocate to Homebush. The decision to leave Belmore upset many of the Bulldogs’ loyal supporters as the ground had so much history to it. In March 2008, the Bulldogs abandoned Belmore completely, with operations for administration and training shifting to Homebush.

Fans have always regarded Belmore Sports Ground as a place associated with the football club's amazing history. It has been the site of some of their greatest on-field battles. It is a key part of their heritage, the identity of their club and the identity of Belmore. The Bulldogs played 1st Grade games at Belmore Sports Ground. Our community has gathered as one at Belmore Sports Ground. Our past, our tradition and memories are at Belmore Sports Ground. Our future should include Belmore Sports Ground. The tradition must continue. For 70 years, as players and fans, people of all nationalities in Belmore have come together under the blue and white banner.

Back to Belmore Inc. calls upon the Federal and State Governments to allocate funding to upgrade Belmore Sports Ground and a Steering Committee to be set up to administer the funds in an open and transparent manner. The Back to Belmore committee requests that both Federal and State Government delegates work together with the Bulldogs Rugby League Club and Canterbury Council to ensure a permanent return for the Bulldogs to Belmore.

While we recognise that certain marquee matches against teams such as the Parramatta Eels, St.George-Illawarra Dragons and Wests Tigers should continue to be hosted at Telstra Stadium, Back to Belmore Inc. is lobbying for a select number of home games to be brought back to Belmore. Fixtures against the Gold Coast Titans, Melbourne Storm, New Zealand Warriors and Canberra Raiders would be ideal for a redeveloped Belmore. The crowd data clearly reveals that teams such as these draw less than an adequate attendance at Homebush and our view is that some of these matches would be better suited in our traditional blue and white heartland of Belmore.

There would be many opportunities that a redeveloped Belmore Sports Ground could provide for the Bulldogs and Back to Belmore Inc. strongly encourages the association between the Bulldogs and the Canterbury–Bankstown area to be maintained and continued.