At the outset we wish to state clearly and unequivocally that we have no interest in football allocations per se. What does concern us is the lack of transparency in any of the decision making that surrounds sporting ground allocations. The article at the conclusion of this post comes from today’s online version of the Australian Jewish News. It is quite feasible to draw the conclusion that this is ‘pay back’ for the Ajax – Caulfield Bears saga of last year in that Ajax did not get their sought after allocation.
As stated above, we have no problem with this. What is a huge problem is:
- All is left in the hands of Burke and his underlings with no need for accountability, nor transparency
- There is no POLICY that is in the public domain
- There is no published criteria to account for the decision making
- Councillors are out in the cold with no role, no say, no nothing
- Such ‘secret’ and unilateral decision making is fraught with danger and the real potential for nepotism, secret deals, intimidation, and woeful decision making as with GESAC.
- Councillors MUST PUT A STOP TO THIS if their credibility is not to go completely out the window!
By way of contrast, here is part of the Banyule Sporting Allocation policy where the criteria used to decide who gets what is public and easily accessible –
Numerous other councils don’t seem to have any problem whatsoever in publishing their policies. As always, Glen Eira keeps everything under wraps – that’s if it even exists, and if it does, the promises in the Community Plan to publish ALL council policies are not adhered to. Here are some other Councils’ URLs for residents to check out –
http://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/Sportsground_allocation_policy.pdf
http://whatmattersmanningham.com.au/document/show/63
Governance is at an all time low in this council as we’ve repeatedly stated. This is just another example of why drastic change is required.
AJAX allocation battle resurfaces
IN a major blow for the AJAX Football Club and the local Jewish community, Glen Eira City Council has denied the club from relocating to Princes Park, instead granting access to Old Haileybury’s Thirds and under-19 teams.
AJAX president Ian Fayman expressed his disappointment at the decision, pointing out that even though the club plays in a different municipality to the juniors, it deserves the right to function as one club at the same home ground.
“The argument is that the seniors and juniors are different clubs,” Fayman told The AJN.
“But they have the same jumper, the same sponsors and the same logo, and the community sees them as one club.”
Fayman accepted that the re-allocated club must be from within Glen Eira, but questioned why the opportunity to join the juniors and seniors was overlooked.
“If an allocation has to be from within the Glen Eira municipality, why is it not AJAX?” Fayman asked.
“It’s the most obvious decision that the junior club should have its senior teams at the same home ground to make a strong pathway, which is a policy of AFL Victoria, and so that the local community can follow.”
In response, council spokesman Paul Burke said that the main reason AJAX was overlooked is because it is based in the Port Phillip municipality.
“As the AJAX [senior] Football Club is not a tenant in Glen Eira, council did not contact them in relation to the coming football season, just as council did not contact other clubs that are tenanted outside of Glen Eira,” Burke told The AJN.
“[And] to ensure that sports fields can sustain the wear and tear from match play and training, existing tenant clubs are sometimes required to use grounds other than their home grounds for either training or matches.”
The other major disappointment for Fayman and the club is that no public expression of interest was undertaken, which he said the council committed to in a previous letter to an AJAX representative.
“The question is, why a public and very transparent process was not implemented,” Fayman said.
“It cannot be accepted that a decision has been made without a public process.”
He also noted the success of last year’s community day, which attracted around 1500 people, as an indication of public support.
“The key example is the community day, where the local community wanted AJAX to be there,” Fayman said.
“We have 72 per cent of our members as voters in Glen Eira, and where do Haileybury’s members reside? Yes they are an internal club in Glen Eira, but their school is based in Mentone.”
PS: And here’s the Leader take on the story –
Ajax Football Club denied the chance to reunite juniors and seniors at Caulfield
- Andrea Kellett
- March 05, 2013 12:00AM
President of the AJAX Senior Football Club, Ian Fayman with player, Eugene Routman. Picture: Paul Loughnan, Leader
AJAX Football Club is furious its seniors have been denied a move to Princes Park in Caulfield.
The club says it was trying to unite its junior and senior players in Caulfield but Glen Eira Council has overlooked it in preference for another amateur club’s third team.
The council has given the Saturday tenancy to Old Haileyburians Amateur Football Club.
AJAX Senior Football Club president Ian Fayman wants the council to review its decision, hold a public forum and consider shared tenancy at Princes Park.
“AJAX juniors and seniors have the same logo, the same jumper, the same ethos, the same community base,” he said.
“Speak to anyone in Glen Eira and ask is it one club or two and everyone would say, ‘Of course it’s one club’.”
AJAX juniors have trained and played at Princes Park for two decades, while the seniors train and play outside the municipality, in Albert Park.
The club has long wanted to have its senior in the Caulfield area.
Glen Eira Council does not consider the seniors an “existing” tenant.
AJAX controversially offered another club, the Caulfield Bears, $175,000 last year to leave Princes Park so it could play there. The money was never paid.
The council’s community relations director Paul Burke said the council proritised the needs of Glen Eira clubs first.
“AJAX Senior Football Club is not an existing winter tenant in Glen Eira and has never been a tenant in Glen Eira,” he said.
In a letter to Glen Eira Council, Mr Fayman said the council had reneged on a promise AJAX would be consulted about the new ground allocation.
“The AJAX Junior Football Club, which is the current existing tenant on Sunday of Princes Park, was not given any opportunity to make an application for Saturday ground allocation,” he wrote.
“We believe AJAX FC is the local community football club that represents the local community interests and should have at the very least been given the opportunity to make a formal application to have its senior teams play from the same home ground.”
Mr Burke said the council had not called for “new” tenants.
“Council is not offering a new tenancy.
“We are accommodating the requirements and needs of existing tenants,” Mr Burke said.
AJAX Junior Football Club president Daniel Antman said as long as the council considered the seniors an outside club the dream could never be achieved.
“AJAX is one of the few clubs in the region that has a senior club based outside the region, for reasons beyond our control and desire,” he said.
Old Haileyburians Amateur Football Club did not wish to comment.
COMMENT: ‘New tenants’ is an interesting phrase to say the least! The Old Haileyburians are fielding an entire ‘new’ team – the thirds! The game of semantics is alive and well in Glen Eira! See: http://www.sportingpulse.com/club_info.cgi?client=1-3232-36895-0-0&sID=61506&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=22252086
Glen Eira Debates 
March 5, 2013 at 8:14 AM
I think AJAX need a reality check, this is a comment made by AJAX recently.
“We believe AJAX FC is the local community football club that represents the local community interests”
The problem is Glen Eira is a great multi cultural municipality, it is not just a Jewish community yet they are a very welcome part of it.
These are comments from the AJAX Football Clubs website.
4. Membership
Membership of “the Club” shall be open to any person who is Jewish. If a question arises as to whether a person is Jewish, such question shall be referred by the Committee of “the Club” to a Rabbi practising in Australia or to such other person not being a member of the Committee as the Committee may reasonably determine, who shall decide whether that person is Jewish according to the principles and tenets of any branch of Judaism practised in Australia.
AJAX’s Mission Statement claims,
Australias first and only fully Jewish Club.
Whilst making a meaningful contribution to the local Jewish Community and always striving to play at the highest possible level.
Maintaining at all times our Jewish identity
The Club will be a platform for a Jewish social environment
Those comments fine as all Australia’s multi cultural groups have similar sporting clubs, but I cant see how they are the local communities football club, they seem very much like only the Jewish communities football club. If I or any other community member cant join because I am the wrong religion and not Jewish then there is no way they can claim to be the Glen Eira communities football club.
March 5, 2013 at 11:52 AM
Never fear Southwick Hyams Lipshutz and Esakoff are here they will fix it.
March 5, 2013 at 9:20 AM
I am not jewish so no expert but I believe the original reason that Jewish clubs were originally setup eg Amstel Golf Club was that they were not allowed to join the WASP clubs. I actually think it is great that the are getting involved in the Aussie culture even though they would have been discriminated against in the past. I have played against AJAX and watched their games and see that they are fiercly loyal supporters. A lot of the football teams were church teams even the VFL teams. Richmond and Collingwood were tough working class Catholic teams whilst Carlton were originally Protestant (ironically have a big Jewish following now). I am not accusing anyone of being racist but just have a look at history. Remember also we could easily have a least 2 more full size ovals if we were to stand up to the MRC and take our land back especially the corners of Queen and Neerim Roads and Queen and Normandy Roads ( a joke council leases to MRC who lease to Monash as a car park). So the poor clubs have to look like the bad guys fighting for limited space because of the political power of the MRC.
March 5, 2013 at 2:16 PM
Congratulations ” MRC Fan Club” you have clearly explained the history and the current problem for everyone. I do hope that Councillors take note
roslyn gold
March 5, 2013 at 8:03 PM
Good summary. Well done.
March 5, 2013 at 10:02 AM
The whole allocation process needs a good hard rethink. From frisbee players who don’t get fined to clubs that create havoc with drunken and loud after game functions. Council published a series of complaints about the behaviour of the Caulfield bears footy club last year. They get their allocation year after year. Then there’s the gesac debacle and the impotence and unwillingness of councillors to step up to the mark.
All of this can happen because it’s secret and worked out exclusively by certain people. Banyule has got one selection criterion that makes a lot of sense to me – how many locals form part of the teams. That’s a figure that Burke will never release but you can bet that there are many many clubs playing on our grounds that do not stem from Glen Eira and don’t even have a majority of local people. It would be good to know why such clubs keep getting to play on our grounds that we pay for and maintain and locals don’t get a look in.
March 5, 2013 at 12:31 PM
Here is a perfect example off; if you have the money you can buy anything you want.
“AJAX controversially offered another club, the Caulfield Bears, $175,000 last year to leave Princes Park so it could play there. The money was never paid.”
Was the offer in writing?
March 5, 2013 at 12:53 PM
“if you have money” or promise money then ya get the world like the warriors. Their offer was in writing but are they delivering.
March 5, 2013 at 1:04 PM
What do Councillors and Southwick know about this (MODERATORS: word deleted) and when?
March 5, 2013 at 1:30 PM
Ajax were at Elsternwick Park before THEY decided to move to Albert Park,
March 5, 2013 at 2:41 PM
AJAX initially played at the Peanut Farm in St Kilda in 1957 and then moved to Albert Park in the 1960s. As the comminuty settled in Caulfield the club has made numerous attempts to play at Princes Park.
AJAX only played at Elsternwick park in the mid 2000s as the surface at Albert Park was sub-standard due to the Grand Prix.
Your comment has no basis in truth
March 5, 2013 at 2:38 PM
Facts: Approximately 80% of AJAX players reside in Glen Eira as opposed to approximately 25% of the Old Haileybury 3rds.
AJAX Junior Football Club has played at Princes park for 24 seasons, Haileybury have never been a tenant of the ground.
Hundreds of local ratepayers would attend Princes park on a Saturday afternoon as spectators as opposed to 15-20 people for a Haileybury 3rds game
AJAX Senior club has sought the tenancy at Princes Park for over 20 years to unite with the junior club and play in the heart of the community. Haileybury has no history in the area whatsoever
Ratepayers have funded the resurfacing of Princes Park, it’s a disgrace that this allocation was made without a transparent process.
March 5, 2013 at 3:07 PM
The disgrace is Ajax thinks that it can jump the queue over every other club in Glen Eira that is in need off more grounds. We also live in Glen Eira and pay rates.
March 5, 2013 at 3:24 PM
Who is “we”?? This is not a Jewish issue. It’s about the club with the highest representation of local residents not being allocated a ground where the junior affiliate has played for over 20 years.
There is a ground next door to the Haileybury home ground at McKinnon that is suitable for 3rds and junior football – why is this not being utilised?
March 5, 2013 at 4:21 PM
I am talking about an outside club trying to jump the queue.
This is not about Jewish. It’s about fair.
March 5, 2013 at 4:29 PM
It’s reasonable to argue that a club with 80% of members living in Glen Eira not the “outsider” in this instance
March 5, 2013 at 4:48 PM
Jason,
Do I have to be Jewish to play for Ajax?
Do I have to be Jewish to play for Haileybury?
Which club best serves the communities needs?
March 5, 2013 at 5:01 PM
More Glen Eira residents support AJAX ahead of Haileybury. More Glen Eira residents play for AJAX ahead of Haileybury – so AJAX playing at Princes Park clearly serves the community’s needs – Prettu easy question actually
March 5, 2013 at 8:09 PM
You didn’t answer the questions. A part of the allocation criterea is inclusiveness.
Ajax is unashamedly exclusive. Ajax ay Princes park serves part of the community.
March 5, 2013 at 11:17 PM
Thank you Anonymous for responding. I concur with your reply and again ask Jason to answer the question? Why would an exclusive club just for Jewish people be given priority over another club? You can have 100% of players residing in Glen Eira and I would still put you last on the list, simply because you don’t, and won’t accept Glen Eira residents.
March 5, 2013 at 4:20 PM
Queues, queues. No one’s ever heard of a queue. The only queue that exists is in Burke’s head. Even if there was one it would be meaningless. pavilion queues, traffic management queues and everyone jumps the queue with no explanation and 100% for sure no good reason except they might be matey with you know who.
March 5, 2013 at 5:21 PM
I loathe this discussion of “insider” and “outsider”. It creates division and achieves nothing. If there is an “insider” and “outsider” divide in this municipality then it is residents full stop who are the “outsiders”. We’re consistently ignored, vilified, and regarded as a necessary evil by both this administration and many of the councillors. Discussions such as this only play right into the hands of these people.
March 5, 2013 at 9:44 PM
Jewish clubs do not take non-Jewish members/players. There is no evidence that non Jewish people are members. If they were members, we could see their names everywhere and would be fair representation of all cultures.
(MODERATORS: rest of comment deleted. We also draw attention to the Age newspaper link which was put up by a reader recently that outlines the policy of these clubs.)
March 6, 2013 at 7:10 AM
The exemption to play a non Jewish person only applies when a club is scratching to make up a side or can recruit a top player to lift the side up the ladder. It would be the exception rather than the rule. It is step in the right direction, albeit a small one.
March 6, 2013 at 9:18 AM
anyway all the people bringing up the exclusiveness issue on AJAX and Maccabi over the soccer pitch are playing right into the MRC and politician hands. There are not enough ovals in Glen Eira!. Why are the MRC allowed to hog public land for there own benefit when the community need it.
Is it our problem that the racing industry sold off there own training facility so need public land in Caulfield to run training. Just Imagine if there was continuous accessible parkland from Queens Avenue to the mad Booran Road round about. (If Aquinta moved then it would not be viable for the other trainers). So the Jewish and non jewish community need to unite to fight the real enemy of the community.
March 6, 2013 at 10:14 AM
MODERATORS: comment deleted
March 6, 2013 at 1:18 PM
I wonder if Jewish clubs, which are basically private clubs have the communities interest at heart, (MODERATORS: rest of sentence deleted)
We saw this happen with the Tennis club in East Bentleigh. Which was a shameful land grab, which was never fully explained to the residents.
I don’t think you can trust any private clubs to be transparent. The underhanded cash deal for an extraordinary sum of cash show the amount of credence that should be given in this one case.
Private clubs no matter who and when should be last on the list for considerations, even the local resident dog walkers should receive priority over private clubs for open space use.
March 6, 2013 at 3:16 PM
I accuse the moderator of censoring unnecessarily, who and why are protecting? Please explain? If you have a conflict of interest please explain?
March 6, 2013 at 3:25 PM
Dear anonymous,
we will delete all comments/allegations (in full or in part) that we consider to be without substantiation or that may be seen to constitute (potential) racial vilification. If you have evidence to support your claims then we are quite willing to publish this.
March 6, 2013 at 10:28 PM
the words you deleted did not fit any of your rules above, so what is your story, please explain?
March 6, 2013 at 4:32 PM
Whilst on the topic of racial vilification (and I’m no expert on the subject). But how is it possible that an exclusive club that wants the use of public land thats set down for everyone’s use, claim in their code of conduct that “vilification will not be tolerated under any circumstances”. Then the same club AJAX only accept Jewish people as members?
March 6, 2013 at 7:23 PM
Online Leader comments –
Comments on this story
Greg of Elwood Posted at 7:54 AM March 05, 2013
A ground that once hosted a VFA club is now being used by Haileybury thirds and a club with incredibly strong community support is locked out of the area. Paul Burke needs to review his decision, by his criteria AJAX will never find a home at Princes Park. I once though of AJAX as a Stkilda side but that was 30 years ago and things have clearly changed. Paul Burke should do the right thing and give AJAX a chance to make a pitch for a move which makes good sense for the club and the local community.
Comment 1 of 5
Jason of Caulfield South Posted at 1:14 PM March 05, 2013
Disgraceful decision by the council officers, almost 80% of AJAX players reside in Glen Eira as opposed to approximately 25% of the Haileybury players. The needs of the local community have been overlooked to satisfy the requirements of a “thirds” football team.
Comment 2 of 5
ian fayman of sylverly gve Caulfield Posted at 10:26 PM March 05, 2013
AJAX fc is the only repesentative football club of the jewish community of glen eira. No other club enjoys the same number a local resident supporters. AJAX should be given the saturday game ground alloctaion
Comment 3 of 5
Bert Haskins of Caulfield Posted at 8:29 AM Today
Glen Eira’s allocation of sporting facilities to clubs needs a drastic review – there is no policy and the process is secretive hence questions of fairness frequently arise. Last year the GESAC basketball were highly contentious and Councillors promised to change the processes to ensure openess and transparency in the processes. Nothing has happened. In the case of GESAC the contentious basketball allocation has just been extended without any open review of the clubs performance and without asking for allocation applications from competing clubs. I’m not in favour one sporting club over another, but when you have many clubs competing for limited facilities (refer previous Leader articles), you must have an established and open allocation processes to ensure an equitable allocatin process. Glen Eira does not have this nor does it have any intention of getting it.
Comment 4 of 5
Lester Oviss of Bentleigh East Posted at 9:57 AM Today
Glen Eiras decision not to acknowledge the Ajax application for their Junior and senior clubs to be united as one at Princes Park is short sited and thoughtless. Many local clubs within Glen Eira have made positive moves over the years to unite their junior and Senior teams as one for continuation and survival. Bentleigh Football club had this vision ten years ago , knowing that to survive continuance of players moving up from juniors to seniors was a must. Hopefully commonsense will eventually prevail and two halves will become one.
March 6, 2013 at 10:42 PM
Common sense did apply. Ajax doesn’t have any more entitlement to this oval than the old Haileybury boys. I smell power hungry games here (MODERATORS: rest of comment deleted)
March 6, 2013 at 9:18 PM
Jewish Premier, Jewish State Member for Caulfield, Jewish Federal Member for Ports, Jewish Mayor of Glen Eira, Jewish Trustees for the MRC. There is a common thread there, just can’t put my finger on it. Also, MRC fan club spoke of VFL clubs based on religion. I can add the Protestant Bombers and Catholic Kangaroos to the mix. But the was over 100 years ago and we should be removing walls rather than building them.
March 6, 2013 at 10:28 PM
Well John I cant put my finger on it either.
AJAX serve a particular community and that’s it, that’s a fact from their own website. They choose not to serve the whole community, yet they want heaven and esrth from the communities assets. if any other religious sporting group tried this audacious trick there would be outrage.
March 7, 2013 at 8:14 AM
The Premier is not Jewish.
March 6, 2013 at 10:58 PM
John C one of the greatest features of our City is that we all get on. If you have a problem with living amungst fellow Australians then sell up and move.
March 6, 2013 at 11:45 PM
The moderator censored my earlier post. (MODERATORS: rest of comment deleted)
March 7, 2013 at 1:23 PM
i feel i should add to the comments as President of the AJAX FC.
There was an agreement-in writing-with the Caulfield Bears to upgrade koornang rd park for the public to use.
Council knew about the agreement.COUNCIL insisted agreement be made null and void.No money was paid.Caulfield bears departed to koornang rd anyway, leaving princes park vacant
AJAX jnr football club has had the sunday ground allocation since 1992.
it runs the auskick program for the whole community.
AJAX fc wants its senior teams to play from same ground as its juniors..
Council has decided to put 2 X Old Haileybury teams at Princes Park.
Glen Eira municipality has the largest % of jewish residents of any victorian municipality.If any other group of residents deserve the ground allocation at princes park then let them make the application for ground allocation via a public EOI>
The council can then determine in a transparent and objective process with reasonable criteria which club should be allocated the tenancy and best representing THAT local community.
If council are expected to cater for their local community-the whole community-then I am happy for AJAX FC to compete openly and transparently with any other club seeking the winter allocation.
We simply want the juniors and seniors to play from the same venue, a ground that is the closest to its local resident representation.72% of the ajax playing group live around Princes Park.
Where do the Old haileybury players live?Does Old Haileybury have good grounds at their school in Keysborough??..
ian Fayman(President AJAXFC)
March 7, 2013 at 3:26 PM
All it takes is five Councillors with courage to fix this.
March 7, 2013 at 4:20 PM
Five Councillors with Jewish links voting in favor of this would look very questionable and bring a huge spotlight on their integrity and transparency.
March 7, 2013 at 3:29 PM
Ian,
It’s great that you actually replied because there is two sides to every story so thank you.
I understand your point that you want the juniors and seniors to play together, that’s just natural. Now I’m not privy to any information, teams or allocations but the questions I would be asking as glen eira council are.
A – Why do AJAX think they can get priority and just apply and expect to be granted an already allocated ground?
B – Why should religious backing if a club become a criteria in the ground allocation process?
C – How can you claim to be the communities club when you only allow Jewish members?
If we non Jewish folk made a club which excepted everyone except Jewish people how would that be received and would that be appropriate in today’s modern society.
Sean
March 7, 2013 at 5:09 PM
Your “C” statement is the crunch. A club that was only allowing Muslims to join, unless they were short of players would be deemed offensive. and probably unlawful. Any group that excludes certain people will always find it difficult. Do AJAX have cricket teams, and if so will they be next.
March 7, 2013 at 5:31 PM
I agree wholehearted, why is religion being brought up by Ajax. This should have no bearing whatsoever on who gets the sports ground. It’s offensive to others to claim that because you are jewish in a predominantly jewish area that you are entitled to more or get a preference. That’s racism at its optimum and I agree with the previous poster if this was a muslim club how things would be so very different.
March 7, 2013 at 6:45 PM
This has nothing to do with being jewish or not.
It is just a fact that AJAX FC has jewish players legally trying to maintain the club’s jewish minority culture-as permitted by the anti-discrimination act.
So long as AJAX FC was not even considered for religious reasons then there is no issue.But on every reasonable ground of council looking after the local community it should have at least been considered-as was promised.
But the process was not transparent.It was not public.So questions are asked.
It seems the ground allocation decision was made on grounds that do not seem reasonable nor objective..
AJAX FC represents a group of people who predominantly live in glen eira
AJAX junior football club has the tenancy for sunday
It is not unreasonable to expect the snr and jnr clubs to play from the same home base.In fact council and AFL-Vic and most sporting organisations strongly endorse and recommend that jnr and snr clubs play from the same base.
72% of the ajax players live in and around Princes Park.
if another club has better objective grounds or criteria to be given that ground allocation so be it.
Old Haileybury have had 2 teams moved from their home ground in bentleigh/mckinnon moved to caulfield.
Where would they prefer to play?What is their base?what % of their players live around Princes park?
Why was decision made without a public EOI process as was committed too by Council. in 2012, while that ground remained vacant.
I do not think it is unreasonable to request Council to explain or consider a co-tenancy between old Haileybury and ajax at Princes park in same way as Old Haileybury and St Pauls share the facility at cnr Tucker and mckinnon rds.
March 7, 2013 at 7:23 PM
I’m not jewish and I don’t like the tenor of this discussion. Mr Fayman has got some valid points that this council has to answer. The McKinnon Basketball Association has been screwed by the administration and now we have another club screaming secrecy and no objective, open process. That’s a legitimate call.
Too much is happening in secret and too much power is given to Burke and his mates. The post has told us that other councils reveal their policies and criteria. Here nothing is out in the open.
I blame councillors for this. They are a useless bunch of nobodys. Someone wrote that it takes 5 to change everything. That has to happen and its not just about sporting groups – it covers everything that’s got to do with fair play and fair dinkum good governance.
Some of my mates play with other clubs and they are scared stiff to open their mouths about anything because they worry they won’t get next years allocation. What a great way to keep everyone under the thumb.
One more thing. If this was Northcote or Coburg then I would expect that muslim groups who would be a significant part of the population there would also have their own clubs and facilities. We’re supposed to be living in a multicultural society. The first priority should be that locals are catered for full stop regardless of what their colour or religion happens to be. That hasn’t happened and Ajax has got every right to ask why not.
Let everyone apply and then choose the teams that have the best application and the most locals and publish everything. This way it stinks and the culture of secrecy and unaccountable decision making just goes on and on.
March 7, 2013 at 8:45 PM
multicultural does not mean excluding people based on religion. that is not how australia works
March 7, 2013 at 9:15 PM
Ajax is not seeking exclusive use of princes park.
Caulfield train there…but play at koornang park
Sandi dragons train there.
Ajax jnrs have been there on a Sunday since 1992
Ajax would train at Albert park to help preserve ground and turf quality.
We want to share with old haileybury .
They get one Saturday and we get other Saturday-alternate.
We accept there is a shortage of ovals for clubs desiring to field teams.
If there is a club that would better represent the local residents of glen eira in the princes park precinct and also shares the same ground with the existing tenant…juniors …..then we would have to accept.
We wanted a fair chance to be considered .
Our case as the local existing tenant was not considered.
March 8, 2013 at 12:26 AM
Burke created a “Catch 22” situation for the AJAX Football Club. He did this by saying that an application by them would not be considered because they were based in the Port Philip area and then denies them the opportunity either to relocate or explain their situation.
Historically a lot of clubs were based in Albert Park because they were the only grounds available. In fact there was a situation in the 1980’s when Caulfield Grammarians home ground was Oval 3, Albert Park and AJAX’s home ground was Oval 2. Would Burke have denied Caulfield Grammar the opportunity to shift? Of course he wouldn’t have done this.
Why has he discrinated against AJAX? David
March 8, 2013 at 2:33 PM
What a ridiculous argument that if the club wears the same jumper, same sponsors and same logo that they are now considered the same club. Does that mean if my footy jumper has black & white stripes and I have an Emirates logo that I’m now officially Collingwood FC? It’s just pathetic and nothing but an attempt to sneak in through the back door. I wonder if Ajax juniors received a substantial fine how quick you would distance yourself from them when they come to you with their hand out.
March 8, 2013 at 2:37 PM
John, that is possibly the stupidest comment that’s ever been posted in the history of the internet.
March 8, 2013 at 5:17 PM
john,
AJAX jnrs and snrs, do have the same logo, jumper,sponsors, and even shared bank accounts. Also the senior players coach the juniors. etc.We share the same year book and fundraising activities.
Some life members of the jnr club are also life members of teh senior club..
YES-They ARE 2 legal entities as the MSJFL require a separate president/secreatary etc ..and the jnrs play on sunday.
The snrs play on a saturday with the VAFA, as it does not have jnrs.
Speak to any Vafa club or any MSJFL club and ask if AJAX jnrs and snrs teams at ajax are seen as ONE club..the answer would be yes.!! definetly!!
The GE council is using a semantic argument as an excuse for seeing the ajax snr club as an outside club.That is wrong.Where a lease exists or where a club plays does not make it outside.
That should be determined only by where the players in that club reside.
in the 70s Caulfield grammar were at Albert Park.
How did they get into glen Eira.?
The sth melb junior soccer club was at Albert Park.
How did it get into Glen eira?
in fact over 72% of the members/players of the AJAX snr football club reside in Glen eira.
there is nothing “back door”.
It is a desire and reasonable expectation that the players and rate payers of glen eira-those that pay the council rates, that pay the wages of council officers have a reasonable expectation to be regarded as being part of a local “inside” club.
I think even you would agree with that logic.
March 9, 2013 at 8:11 AM
You should take the issue to VCAT. That is the appropriate place to get a decision.
March 9, 2013 at 6:08 PM
(MODERATORS: comment deleted)