AFL community camps face the axe (Herald-Sun)

[one-eyed]

Community camps face the axe
Daniel Breen | November 12, 2008 10:45am

Cats CEO Brian Cook says the AFL may cut its pre-season community camps. The Cats believe they will not be immune from the effects of the world's economic meltdown and have taken steps to curb their spending, the Geelong Advertiser reports.

AFL bosses have spoken with clubs and have urged them to have contingencies for potentially disastrous events such as the loss of contracted major sponsors.

AFL community camps appear to be one of the main items on the chopping block, while the NSW scholarship program also looks to be in the firing line.

He said the community initiative, which sent the Cats to the Gold Coast earlier this year, was also unlikely to extend to the forthcoming pre-season.

"Our understanding is that it may not go ahead but a decision is pending," Cook said.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,24640329-19742,00.html

[one-eyed]

AFL camps don't get boot
Jon Ralph | November 14, 2008

THE AFL will forge ahead with next year's pre-season community camps despite speculation they would be scrapped to save money. The locations for the camps will be announced next week, but it is expected they will be shorter and many clubs will remain close to home.

Clubs eager to plan their entire pre-seasons had been told there was a chance the camps would be put on hold this year.

Instead, clubs such as Geelong are expected to promote their teams on the surf coast. Interstate trips to the Gold Coast and Darwin are unlikely.

Clubs have visited schools, hospitals and community groups interstate and in regional areas since 2003 to promote the game.

The camps for the 16 clubs cost more than $1 million each year.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,24647175-19742,00.html