Tom Waterhouse joins the Sydney Swans

[Quiet_Observer]

Now who thinks having this guy associated with the Swans is a good idea? (email came out today)

It's like having a slimy used car salesman marrying my sister.

[Auntie.Gerald]

i dont get how our management thought this was a good idea at all ??

[J_Moore]

Grade A tosspot

[Primmy]

Just about to set up a thread and you beat me to it. Good. What on earth are the Swans doing associating themselves with betting, and Waterhouse in particular! I thought we were better than that. Very very very very disappointed.

I shall be emailing them direct. THAT should make them sit up and take notice.....however its the little drops of annoying water that gets the rock worn away.

[Meg]

I too am very disappointed. Not only about Waterhouse but about putting this focus on betting on matches. Not what I expect or want from the Swans.

[ScottH]

Gambling in footy for footballers is a no no, and a huge problem for many others. Poor choice.

I read it yesterday and didn't think it was worthy of posting.

Sent from my phone.

[DLBIA14]

Who cares, he's just a partner. It's all sponsorship dollars for us and it's not like betting is going to leave the sport anytime soon anyway. Really no need to be disappointed with the club over such an arbitrary issue.

[satchmopugdog]

I dislike betting/gambling with a passion...I know it's hard to get sponsorship.. but a tiny bit of me died when I read this.

[aardvark]

I shall be emailing them direct. THAT should make them sit up and take notice.....however its the little drops of annoying water that gets the rock worn away.

They shall be getting one from me too. Very bad move Swans !!

[Bas]

Who cares, he's just a partner. It's all sponsorship dollars for us and it's not like betting is going to leave the sport anytime soon anyway. Really no need to be disappointed with the club over such an arbitrary issue.

Plenty or people here care and don't regard it as an arbitrary issue.

There is something called ethics. That is why the AFL prevents sponsorship of Junior AFL Clubs by certain organisations and establishments.

Yes, there is betting available but this is disgusting. Sponsorship at what cost?

I wonder which cretin agreed to this sponsorship.

Those that see me tomorrow, remind me to tell you a few stories of my experience with a certain heirarchy.

I'll be sending a complaint email to the Club as well.

[jono2707]

I can't say I care too much for the Waterhouses either.... I thought the Swans were above all that but I suppose that's the way the world is these days....

[Triple B]

FWIW I agree totally with DLBIA14.

I'm willing to bet the club were aware of a possible backlash from unhappy supporters, but probably think the sponsorship $$$$ are worth the gamble of upsetting a few....

[DLBIA14]

I just don't understand the fuss. Betting is barely blip in the radar in my life. I've had a small bet maybe once or twice, but nothing significant. That's not to say I don't understand that gambling is a social issue in the community and that addiction is debilitating in numerous ways.

Nevertheless, the relationship between sport and gambling is not one that will disappear anytime soon. It's a stretch to call the association between the Swans and Tom Waterhouse an ethical problem. Frankly it's about unethical as alcohol and sport and its not like people make a big deal about beer being sold at the game.

The club hasn't done a thing wrong in my eyes. Just my 2 cents.

[Vonsteinman]

Clever post Bs.

But for what its worth, I had my first positive thoughts about North Melbourne for 16 years when they announced their intent not to pursue gambling dollars a few weeks back.

I kinda wish the club I support was prepared to take a similar stance.

To be honest, I don't even really know what they are trying to say in the story on the Swans site with this paragraph:

"Like all of the club?s partners, the Swans were extremely impressed with TomWaterhouse.com?s brand values, which strongly align with those of the club."

[Big Al]

After the signing of Waterhouse I found this picture of Andej Everitt.

http://sportsbetblog.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/lance.jpg