by Anthony Magro

Let me just say this

Relocation is stupid

If you are thinking about moving, you too are stupid!

Imagine this, Armidale, Thursday the 20th of October, Tim Vogeli, a local bar men at the University wakes up in the morning, his room decked with New England Ferrets merchandise, picks up his local paper only to read that his club, which he's supported for so long, is moving to India!

This isn't a one off scenario, fans across Australia will be ripping up their season tickets because after all, flying from Armidale to India will cost a damn fortune to the average joe. So where will this leave the fans, the fans who have followed these clubs in the good time and probably more then likely, the bad times. For the extra cash it seems clubs are willing to break a tie with their loyal fans to enter new water, water which isn't tested.

Assuming it's going to fail like it will, New England find that Indians rather eat curry then watch football, what will happen to the club if they are forced out, do you think Armidale will accept them with open arms... NO...

Lets look at our over seas expansions so far that have failed;
* Suva Suns
* Port Moresby Power
* Shanghai Traders
* Pacific Sharks
* Hong Kong Lions
* Jikata

Whats left?
* Capetown- a club which is currently winless and won a title with over seas players and little to no local talent


This to me sounds like the ASRL is sending it's disabled clubs into no-mans land to find uncharted territories to explore. Do I see the Sydney Oilers, Wellington Cougars, Northern Cannons, Gold Coast Crusade or any other powerhouse club moving out of the country... NO... because they know, it's a failing mission.

With dedication and hard work, any team and promote and rise to a huge popularity. High population or not, fans are willing to travel large distances to see their club. Exmaple you ask? Well how about my own club, the Central Coast Falcons. We started in 2001 as a nothing side, coming out of the Central Coast competition as nothing more then a bunch of rookies... and look at us now, Premiers and considered one of the power house clubs of the ASRL.

I'm not the CEO at your club *unless you are a Falcons fan* but if you plan to relocate, you better hope you've planned a smart move because if you have to return, you'll return to your fans wearing blue and red jersies.

Parramatta Coach Marshal Boyd has expressed his point of view on the whole re location with mixed emotions. While he see's the clubs in remote locations as a great way to promote the code and competition, he also see's it as a downfall with alot of clubs not being financially viable.

"Clubs like Carnarvon and Central are a great and powerful clubs, but financially they are not stable because of their location. They have alot of history in their area and many are apposed to leaving that history behind which i can understand, but if we want to make progess we need to be strong anf make sure we are getting the fudning needed."

"People will look at me and go, well its easy for you to say , you coach a team in Sydney with a great junior base and financially wealthy area and always guarateed support. Im just looking at this from a "progress point of view". I just hope the remote clubs can find a way to survive. It'd be a shame to see some on of innuagural comes totally die out.

The Ferrets to India, I think not.
The Ferrets are staying in Australia, wether forced to merge, move or whatever comes.

Melbourne coach Ben Quinn was quick to comment on the Ferrets refusal of a relocation.

"Selfish, plain selfish. Its definately a club on the way down, poor management.. poor coaching. I think the ferrets would be great in India. They are a second rate ASRL team, and they would suit India to a tee. Bollywood and the Ferrets hand in hand, both playing second fiddle to others in the industry... personally.. I like it."

Coach Quinn has been losing friends at an exponential rate lately, the coach alienating all those he had aligned himself with previously. His teams poor performances of late and a very opinionated view on relocation have led the coach to feel he is disliked by the board and other ASRL colleagues.

Quick to act upon his comments, Premiership winning coach had this to add;

"The New England Ferrets were used as an example, as my good friend Schmo would know. I don't expect him to relocate because he represents a significantly strong country New South Wales."

"Again, they were only an example"

where's wellington mrc, i don;t think they are in aussie! :P

No but they had such a good admistration set-up that the transition from Tassie to NZ was as smooth as a baby's but. ;)

I'm pretty sure there is a Wellington in Australia too, actually...

I was talking about Australia/N.Z... you derro

Between Dubbo and Orange...

Ferrets Coach Rowland Kelly defends his Ferrets staying in Australia-
"Obviously we are a second rate ASRL team, we are in division 2. As far as a club on the way down goes, look at our recruiting last season, 11 new players. We are a side for the future with players coming up through the ranks. Besides, this has nothing to do with who is a second rate side, we are talking about fan bases.
The Ferrets have not refused to relocate as Ben Quinn has alleged. "We simply stated that we are going to stay in Australia whatver comes out way."

Alan Macquarie, from Wagga Wagga:

Given the situation here at Stallions, with coach Theo Kamis getting back into the frame slowly after recovering from his successful aneurysm surgery, it was left to owner Dame Judi Dench to front the Wagga club's response to the issue of relocation. And the news is mixed for Stallions fans:

"Our contract with Wagga Council allows us to terminate the contract in the event of force majeure - events caused by agencies beyond our control that call into question the existence of the club," she noted. "I will endeavour to stay here in Wagga as long as the continued existence of the club - not just financial existence, but competitive existence - can be assured."

My sources indicate that Dame Judi has four initial alternative sites in mind in the event that Wagga is forced to move - Wrexham and Cardiff, in Wales; Wolverhampton in England's West Midlands; Madison, Wisconsin, in the United States. A possible move to South Africa is also a possibility, although that is less certain to meet with Dame Judi's approval.

In any event, the decision is not imminent - much will be determined by the rules changes to be decided for next season - and that Wagga is likely, as of now, to stay put.