Souths members planning a social club / licensed venue - we should copy paste it

[DavidBouveng]

this article is lifted from the daily Tele website. we dont have souths member numbers, but it is a pretty cool idea, and something that our fanbase would love

Souths Leagues and Sports club is signing up members for their clubhouse on the ground floor of the Quest Hotel in Homebush, just a short walk from the venue.
Memberships range from $2 to $500 and hundreds of fans have already joined. Research shows more than 50 per cent of the Rabbitohs’ NRL members are based in Sydney’s western suburbs, making the venue convenient for post-match gatherings.
The club has not had licensed premises since the closure of their old Chalmers Street building.
The new venture is the brainchild of former Souths Leagues Club director Frank Zappa, who quit the Redfern club when owners Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court banned poker machines.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs celebrating winning the 2014 Premiership. Picture: Toby Zerna


Souths chief executive Shane Richardson was unaware of the club’s existence until notified by The Sunday Telegraph.
“This is the first we have heard of it and we will be notifying them to let them know that we will not be having any formal or informal relationship with them,” Richardson said.
The club’s new website is www.southsleagues.com.au.
Members hope to open the club before the start of the NRL season.
They have already raised more than $500,000 to fit out the club, which will have a bar area, restaurant and eventually poker machines. Zappia, the founding chairman, says profits will go back into junior rugby league.

Rabbitohs fans celebrate winning the grand final. Picture: Toby Zerna


“This is just a group of Souths supporters who want to have a social venue to attend after games to celebrate or commiserate,’’ Zappia said.
“The old leagues club was closed down.
“It’s more or less like a junior club. All Souths supporters will
be welcome.
“It appears the actual Rabbitohs haven’t taken kindly to it because we have tried to have discussions with them but they haven’t eventuated.
“We are all South Sydney supporters and we just want a social club for our fans.”
Under copyright laws, the new club cannot use the Rabbitohs logo or name the club Souths Leagues because it is owned by the Souths club in Newcastle rugby league.
Hence the decision to brand the clubs Souths Leagues and Sports.

[DIEHARD]

Very interesting, especially how Souths NRL want nothing to do with them. That was an absolute no without even talking.

We really need something, perhaps a Gold Coast Leagues Club. I'd be very interested.

[DIEHARD]

Of course if Souths ever move to SFS... And no other clubs fans would be likely to patronise.

A Gold Coast Leagues club could welcome all fans from other NRL clubs and local competitions.

[DIEHARD]

I don't think it's going to work in its current form. If anything there should be an NRL facility for all RL fans.

[Bayside Titan]

There is always noise on the Coast that we don't have a venue before or after game to celebrate or comiserste after a game. The only building close enough to be a venue would be the former COE. So a purpose built building would have to be built. I would love to see the concept grow, but think that we should learn from the past and adapt the steady as she goes approach.