St. George Illawarra Dragons Go To National Rugby League For Urgent Financial Assistance

Once mighty National Rugby League club St. George Illawarra Dragons has appealed to the NRL for urgent financial assistance to maintain its extensive junior development programs "as the joint venture reels from two poor seasons and enormous cuts to its Leagues Club grant," according to Josh Massoud of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. Dragons officials are seeking an advance in the vicinity of A$1M ($940,000) "to meet debts and expenses," including A$250,000 in outstanding rent for the use of Kogarah’s WIN Jubilee Stadium. St. George Illawarra CEO Peter Doust on Wednesday "declined to specify figures, but did confirm the club had requested advances of its monthly grant." The Dragons "are also sweating on help from the NRL’s discretionary fund, believing they have a right to additional resources because they support four junior representative teams across southern Sydney and the Illawarra" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 9/26).