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Giants netball licence: Mounties Group deal could transform club

The Australian

a day ago

Business
The Australian

Giants netball licence: Mounties Group deal could transform club

The likely sale of the Giants' Super Netball licence has been described as an opportunity to 'super charge' the club. Discussions are continuing behind the scenes between current owners of the licence, Netball NSW and the Mounties Group about a change of hands, with the possibility that the deal could be done in time for the 2026 season. Netball NSW last week confirmed it was 'exploring the proposal' of an external party about the club's Super Netball licence after an unsolicited approach, with the powerful Mounties Group later confirmed to be the body interested in taking over the club. A preliminary case has already been presented at Netball Australia board level, with the national body needing to approve any licence transfer but there remain significant details to iron out before any deal goes ahead. Sources confirmed to Code Sports that there was no timeline on the deal, with the possibility that it could linger into next season if that was the time needed to iron out the finer details in an agreement that could transform the Giants into a Super Netball powerhouse. That's likely to work for both sides given any change is due to a genuine desire from Mounties to continue its investment in women's sport rather than any fire sale of the licence. Code Sports has confirmed the Giants are not in any danger of falling over should the deal not proceed, with the club not under any financial pressure, or looking to be offloaded by Netball NSW. The state body holds the licence for both the New South Wales Super Netball sides – the long-established Swifts and the Giants, who were formed ahead of the launch of the elite competition in 2017. And moves to transfer the Giants licence have only come about because of the unexpected Mounties approach, with rumours of the demise of the club wide of the mark. The body's annual report showed it made a small profit last year and while running a Super Netball club is no small undertaking, operating both the Swifts and Giants is something that Netball NSW is managing well financially. In short, this is no Collingwood Magpies situation. Player reviews and contracting for the 2026 season are ongoing and it's business as usual for all organisational operations. Any change to the licence would need Netball Australia board approval but the Mounties approach is being seriously considered and Code Sports understands there is broad alignment on key terms. The approach is being seen though as an opportunity for both the Giants and women's sport in the southwest Sydney region. 'Sport is one of the most powerful tools we have to improve lives and build communities,' Mounties Group CEO Dale Hunt said of the organisation with more than 280,000 members. 'We believe women's sport represents the next frontier for growth in Australia. 'Whether it's netball or rugby, or anything in between, we are committed to investing in women's sport with a long-term view. 'This is about more than sport. It's about community, representation, and building stronger futures.' Mounties launched NSW Premier League club South West Mounties Magic in 2023 in a partnership between the group's health and wellbeing offering, Mounties Care and Liverpool City Netball Association, giving a pathway for players from U6 to state league in the southwest Sydney area. And Mounties' ownership of the Giants would provide a seamless pathway to Super Netball level, as well as a growing supporter base, the thing the club has struggled for most in its first nine years in the competition. While the GWS Giants are not owners, it's understood the AFL club is keen to remain involved with the Super Netball side after forming a strategic partnership with Netball NSW ahead of the foundation season in 2017. The Giants lent their name, colours and logo to the new entity in a bid to help gain traction in a market in which Sydney rivals the Swifts already had significant roots and while the Mounties also have a strong brand, already holding a Netball NSW Premier League licence, with the South West Mounties Magic winning the premiership in 2024 in their inaugural season. Mounties Group also has a partnership with the Canberra Raiders to support and grow women's rugby league pathways, with alignment between the Raiders' NRLW program and the Mounties' NSW Women's Premiership League team. Netball Super Netball's eliminated teams must confront harsh truths about their failed campaigns. But there is a road back to the top. We assess what's next for the six teams to miss the grand final. Netball From big-name recruits and runaway premiership favourites at the start of the year to a crushing prelim-final defeat, things turned very ugly for the Swifts. So how did it all fall apart?

Otley Run McDonald's awaits late licence decision

BBC News

7 days ago

Business
BBC News

Otley Run McDonald's awaits late licence decision

A decision on whether to give a fast food outlet on the route of a notorious pub crawl permission to open till midnight is due to be has applied to serve food beyond 23:00 at its new restaurant at Headingley Central in application, which was heard by councillors on Tuesday, has raised concerns from some people it might exacerbate problems on the Otley Run, which draws thousands of people at the meeting, McDonald's was told it would receive a written decision on its application in five days. The restaurant will already be allowed to open until 23:00 at the restaurant at the site of the former Wilko store, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Tuesday's meeting discussed whether to allow a "late night refreshment" licence to extend it to midnight. Barrister Ben Williams, representing McDonald's, told the meeting: "We can well understand the strength of feeling in what has become a very unique area in Leeds."It's a perfectly sound application. You are dealing with an established operator." Labour councillor James Gibson, who chaired the hearing, said there had been violent incidents among customers at the city centre McDonald's on Lower said: "Lots of people are going there intoxicated and it's leading to problems."However, Mr Williams said CCTV, body cameras and panic buttons would be used to keep staff added: "I don't accept that we are a magnet for problems."The meeting heard a list of conditions had already been agreed with police and the council, including children being supervised after 21:00, checks being made to discourage loitering outside and a telephone number for the manager being made public. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

Licence bid for Bournemouth bar that employed illegal workers

BBC News

7 days ago

Business
BBC News

Licence bid for Bournemouth bar that employed illegal workers

A company has applied to sell alcohol at a chicken bar that had a licence to do so revoked for employing illegal permission for Chicken N Beer in Stanfield Road, Bournemouth, to sell alcohol was removed in May after immigration officials saw a man and a woman run out of the back in February.A new company has applied to sell alcohol there but Dorset Police said it has "significant concerns" about the relationship between its owner and the man previously responsible for the Brands Ltd's application for the new premises licence at Chicken N Beer will be decided by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council's licensing sub-committee on Tuesday. The company said it would "operate in strict adherence to licensing restrictions" if the application is Dorset Police's licensing officer Louise Busfield said it is "essential" the force gets "robust assurances" about the relationship between the potential operator and the former company that ran it."Dorset Police has significant concerns that this application may amount to an attempt to continue operating the premises under a new entity, while still maintaining influence or control by the former operator whose licence was revoked," she of the people apprehended after fleeing Chicken N Beer earlier this year had ever got permission to work in the country, the Home Office said in bar's former premises licence holder, Roy Francis, said he had resigned as a director of the company that previously ran it before the man and woman were found working the Licensing Act 2003, which is mostly managed by councils, licence holders must abide by its conditions including the prevention of crime and disorder. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram.