Tom Waterhouse joins the Sydney Swans

[Auntie.Gerald]

below was my email to the club


[email protected]

.................................


Dear Sir/Madam,

.........I am a long time supporter of the Swans

I have sent through this email, because I would like some clarity, around one of the partner announcements, on the Swans website during the week.

I couldnt help but wonder why the Swans have decided that promoting an alliance/relationship with a gambling Company (such as Waterhouse) is a good image for the Swans Members Senior or Junior ?

It just seems to be an alliance, that is totally the opposite to what the Swans stand for, in character and leadership in the community.

Looking forward to your feedback.

[Quiet_Observer]

I just don't understand the fuss. Betting is barely blip in the radar in my life.

I tend to agree with you to a point DLBIA14. I guess it is not so much the betting but rather "The Waterhouse" brand which to me conjures negative thoughts.

For example, it's a bit like making Kyle Sandilands our #1 ticket holder. I'd have nothing against 2Day-FM, it is more about the individual of choice.

[Mountain Man]

I tried to send my comments to the Club through the 'feedback form' which is on the 'contact us' part of their website. It goes nowhere; no form appears.

What email should one use?

[dimelb]

Not happy Richard, and John, and anyone else who made this (in my view) altogether unsuitable choice.

[Bas]

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.

I understand what you are saying. I think in this case it has something to do with the sponsorship source.

Even Russell Crowe banned pokies at Souths.

Vonsteinman, that last line is certainly a I hadn't seen the site and that story. Where's Pauline H?

[ScottH]

I understand what you are saying. I think in this case it has something to do with the sponsorship source.

Even Russell Crowe banned pokies at Souths.

Vonsteinman, that last line is certainly a I hadn't seen the site and that story. Where's Pauline H?

Yes, that was the line that got me too.!!??!

[India'sDad]

I penned a very sharp email but decided against sending it from work - so it will be going over the weekend from my gmail account. I feel really strongly about this - one of the plusses about being away from the mainstream AFL community is the chance to be different. We seem to have gone the other way and have folded in with the pack. It is bad enough odds being shoved down my throat while watching the game on TV.

Very, very unhappy... Not quite send my membership back unhappy (15th year) but close to it.

[Cheer Squad]

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."

WTF?

What on earth does Tom Waterhouse and gambling have to do with the values of our club? I thought we were a clean cut "family" brand. At least, I always thought we were.

I think the association will damage our brand, to be honest.

Who came up with this idea?

[Captain]

My company also sponsors the Swans, albeit on a very minor level, and I found out about the TW sponsorship several weeks ago at the sponsors cocktail party. It even got a mention in the speeches.

Whilst I dislike Tom himself and his love of the social pages, I don't see much wrong with the sponsorship and feel it certainly won't tarnish the Swans brand.

Coke is a company lacking ethics which produces unhealthy products, hopefully the same people emailing the club complain about them too.

[undy]

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.

The fuss is about two things, I think:
1) Those of us who struggle with gambling, who work hard to avoid it, getting a here's $50 to gamble email under the banner of their treasured club.
2) "The Waterhouse name is synonymous with Australian horse racing, with four generations of Waterhouses? involved in the industry for over a century."
For many of us its synonymous with Fine Cotton, one of Australia's most infamous sporting fixes.

[Auntie.Gerald]

In life you either take a stand or you take an order !!

[CJK]

This is the smug looking guy with his 'Gambling IQ' adverts? Do. Not. Want.

Poor showing by the club.

Gambling is for suckers and some of those poor suckers can't help themselves, with disastrous effects.

[desredandwhite]

Is it gambling itself? Or this particular company?

While I understand some people's concern due to the devastating effects that gambling can have on individuals and families, as well as the corruption concerns... How is this different from the one or two alcohol companies we have sponsoring us? Alcohol is another product that is technically legal, yet with serious repercussions if abused.

If I don't like a sponsor, I will simply ignore them - as I would in this case. Perhaps I don't feel strongly enough about this issue to complain.

[Frog]

Obesity epidemic - sugar we throw at kids nowadays ... sponsoring of AFL by McDonalds / Hungry Jacks / Coke ...

And you are really worried about gambling? Wow. Next we'll have cigarette companies sponsoring sport .... sheeshhh

It's like this ...

Without sponsorship there'd be no team, there'd be no game, without other teams (GWS included), there'd be no competition - with so many teams and the rules around tobacco, alcohol and competitor sponsorship, where do you think they should go next ... How about your company throw a few dollars their way? Maybe there is a brothel somewhere that can give some dollars, special rates on a win, but I suppose that will upset people also ... How about no sponsorship? How long would we last? A season? Two?

How about those of you that are so vehemently against Waterhouse sponsorship actually pledge to pay the club the same money so they don't need him?

Didn't think so.

[Bas]

So how much is the sponsorship you are talking about?

No one knows but I notice that none of the other sponsors that you have mentioned are handing out a free $50 for a bet.

Yes there are lots of double standards but this one comes with a hook.