Shaun Mielekamp
Well-Known Member
Hi everyone
Firstly can I thank everyone who has emailed, called, texted and posted on recent matters in regards to the APL decision to play the A-League Grand finals in Sydney.
Yesterday I spoke with the Coast Ramble Podcast and whilst this has yet to go to air I'm sure once some technical challenges have been overcome this interview will get heard. In light of that delay I wanted to confirm a few items for our members and fans of the club via this forum from my personal perspective.
I'd like to start by confirming that no-one at Central Coast Mariners had the opportunity to be involved in the decision and we were not consulted on the matter. As a point of reference I was informed on Saturday morning that this announcement was happening and that all clubs were required to send players to the announcement.
As a club who has had the hosting rights for grand finals taken away from us and knowledge that we are one of and possibly the only club that would never have the chance to host a grand final in our home city the magnitude of this is not lost on anyone at the club.
The APL is structured with a board that holds five club chairman who make all key decisions for the APL. The Central Coast Mariners are not represented on that board. I would like to confirm that the structure of the APL does not currently give our club or our fans and members the opportunity to have a voice in these decisions and we implore for structural change to this process.
We are a proud community club with a focus on player development, if I just use today as an example our focus remains with the players who will prepare for the game on Saturday morning and then also take time to do work in wrapping xmas presents as a way to raise funds for and awareness for the Bravehearts charity of which we are passionate to support.
In the past as a club we have had to make hard financial decisions for the clubs long term security and this is not lost on me in considering how it was that the APL came to make the decision to accept significant funding from the NSW Government, those decisions can be hard to make and satisfying all stakeholders can be hard. For years as a league we have been wanting the support of governments at all levels for our league and to see the NSW government support the A-League financially is something that needs to be acknowledged in understood in this situation.
I can also confirm that last night when finally given the opportunity to have a voice on the topic our Chairman Richard Peil recommended we take inspiration from the approaches used by sporting leagues like the NFL, which allows cities to bid years in advance for hosting rights. A method of this kind can ensure every location gets a fair go at hosting, whilst also maintaining the long term financial stability of the league.
There was a statement that was posted by APL last night which had Richard Peil's name included, this was quickly removed because there was no agreement from Richard and other Chairman that this would go out that way. Whilst all the chairman excluding one were in attendance in the shareholders meeting from which that statement came from it is important to note this.
In saying all this I know there is a lot of conversations to be had and hence why I wanted to start with this post here on the forum. I will make myself available at the pre-match function at the bowling club for all members to ask questions, vent, discuss and most of all be heard so I can continue to ensure that everyone above myself is clear on the position of the CCM fans and members.
I would like to thank the Official Supporters Club and the Yellow Army representatives for their recent dialogue with myself and I encourage all fans to engage with the OSC, the Coast Ramble Podcast and the Yellow Army or any CCM fan group to keep making sure your concerns and voices are heard.
In regards to why the club has not jumped to make any official statement I would like to simply say that as this has been evolving at a rapid rate and new information continues to come to light we have so far taken the position of wanting ourselves to know all the facts. Not that we wish to remain silent but more that we wanted to be honest, an official club statement whilst may come soon needs to be accurate and consider all the ramifications that it would have for us as club.
It is with great concern that I have on how this matter has been handled and will be expressing this at every opportunity I have to do so. I am aware that this post will not answer all the questions and not in anyway alleviate any concerns. Highly likely that I will be criticized and questioned by some at the APL and they have my number if they want to call me to discuss.
I support our members and fans of the club in wanting to ensure that your voices are heard.
I will come back on this forum later today to answer any questions as best that I can, I will also make myself available directly to fans and members at the pre-match function.
Shaun Mielekamp - CEO
Firstly can I thank everyone who has emailed, called, texted and posted on recent matters in regards to the APL decision to play the A-League Grand finals in Sydney.
Yesterday I spoke with the Coast Ramble Podcast and whilst this has yet to go to air I'm sure once some technical challenges have been overcome this interview will get heard. In light of that delay I wanted to confirm a few items for our members and fans of the club via this forum from my personal perspective.
I'd like to start by confirming that no-one at Central Coast Mariners had the opportunity to be involved in the decision and we were not consulted on the matter. As a point of reference I was informed on Saturday morning that this announcement was happening and that all clubs were required to send players to the announcement.
As a club who has had the hosting rights for grand finals taken away from us and knowledge that we are one of and possibly the only club that would never have the chance to host a grand final in our home city the magnitude of this is not lost on anyone at the club.
The APL is structured with a board that holds five club chairman who make all key decisions for the APL. The Central Coast Mariners are not represented on that board. I would like to confirm that the structure of the APL does not currently give our club or our fans and members the opportunity to have a voice in these decisions and we implore for structural change to this process.
We are a proud community club with a focus on player development, if I just use today as an example our focus remains with the players who will prepare for the game on Saturday morning and then also take time to do work in wrapping xmas presents as a way to raise funds for and awareness for the Bravehearts charity of which we are passionate to support.
In the past as a club we have had to make hard financial decisions for the clubs long term security and this is not lost on me in considering how it was that the APL came to make the decision to accept significant funding from the NSW Government, those decisions can be hard to make and satisfying all stakeholders can be hard. For years as a league we have been wanting the support of governments at all levels for our league and to see the NSW government support the A-League financially is something that needs to be acknowledged in understood in this situation.
I can also confirm that last night when finally given the opportunity to have a voice on the topic our Chairman Richard Peil recommended we take inspiration from the approaches used by sporting leagues like the NFL, which allows cities to bid years in advance for hosting rights. A method of this kind can ensure every location gets a fair go at hosting, whilst also maintaining the long term financial stability of the league.
There was a statement that was posted by APL last night which had Richard Peil's name included, this was quickly removed because there was no agreement from Richard and other Chairman that this would go out that way. Whilst all the chairman excluding one were in attendance in the shareholders meeting from which that statement came from it is important to note this.
In saying all this I know there is a lot of conversations to be had and hence why I wanted to start with this post here on the forum. I will make myself available at the pre-match function at the bowling club for all members to ask questions, vent, discuss and most of all be heard so I can continue to ensure that everyone above myself is clear on the position of the CCM fans and members.
I would like to thank the Official Supporters Club and the Yellow Army representatives for their recent dialogue with myself and I encourage all fans to engage with the OSC, the Coast Ramble Podcast and the Yellow Army or any CCM fan group to keep making sure your concerns and voices are heard.
In regards to why the club has not jumped to make any official statement I would like to simply say that as this has been evolving at a rapid rate and new information continues to come to light we have so far taken the position of wanting ourselves to know all the facts. Not that we wish to remain silent but more that we wanted to be honest, an official club statement whilst may come soon needs to be accurate and consider all the ramifications that it would have for us as club.
It is with great concern that I have on how this matter has been handled and will be expressing this at every opportunity I have to do so. I am aware that this post will not answer all the questions and not in anyway alleviate any concerns. Highly likely that I will be criticized and questioned by some at the APL and they have my number if they want to call me to discuss.
I support our members and fans of the club in wanting to ensure that your voices are heard.
I will come back on this forum later today to answer any questions as best that I can, I will also make myself available directly to fans and members at the pre-match function.
Shaun Mielekamp - CEO
Last edited: