Every week around the world players will gather in changing rooms waiting not only for words of wisdom from their coaches but also to find out if they are in the starting line up.
This could take on a whole new meaning next season in the NPL in Western Australia for one team and its players.
Subiaco have been selected to join the new National Premier League competition in Western Australia. Currently playing in Division Two of the state competition the club was required to find a ground that met the required criteria to be a part of the NPL. This they did and it was announced that they would use the State Athletics stadium.
Many questions were raised over use when athletes wished to use the track, as well as the canteen arrangements etcetera. All of which will no doubt be revealed in due course.
One issue that they may need to address is the fact that the changing rooms are classified a ‘common area.’ In other words anyone who has paid to use the facility must be allowed access at all times. These rooms under no circumstances can be locked. The best comparison is a changing room at a public swimming pool, where all users share that area.
In essence this means that there is nothing to stop either team sending someone into the opposition changing room to hear their pre-match and half time team talk.
As a player if you see a few new faces stripping off alongside you, don’t be alarmed the chances are they are not after your shirt! Then again you may want to check the team sheet.
Paul, I am 100% in agreement. The stadium was built for our athletes and they should have priority. Similarly if another sport wanted to use one of our stadia when we had a state team or a team playing an important game the primary user should have priority.
Then again in the case of the ARU and Subiaco Oval, that was deal done between the ARU, Eventscorp and Subiaco Oval. With the Wallabies being broadcast globally and the WA Government supporting such games over a multi year period, one can see why this took precedence over the sport that usually uses the venue. The rewards are far greater internationally. Saying that with the weather and a crowd of only 18,000 maybe it should have been played at NIB. However the agreement is that the games are played at Subiaco.
I know they’re your ex-club Ash but I hope that no WA kid’s Olympic chances are stymied by these Johnny come lately’s