North Queensland football fans now have something they can truly belong to and be a part of – Northern Fury.

The club has revealed its 2014 membership options – and there are much more than game tickets, a car sticker and lanyard on offer.

For two categories– Fury Foundation and Fury Forever – members also have an ‘ownership’ stake in the club.

“Northern Fury belongs to North Queensland,” said Chairman Rabieh Krayem. “And by that, we don’t just mean buying a ticket to games but actually having a say in the club by voting for the Board of Directors.”

Krayem said the community ownership model is one that has been used overseas but has not previously been used in Australia.

“Other clubs have looked at this model from time-to-time, but it’s not been implemented. We were on the verge of introducing this at North Queensland Fury three years ago before we were axed from the A-League.”

There are many clubs with the community ownership. The most prominent is the highly successful Bundesliga – or German football league – where at least 51% of every club must be owned by members.

“Our view is that a football club is a community resource and is has to endure and be sustainable into the long-term,” Krayem said.

“By having a community-based model of ownership linked to membership, members can be certain that being an ‘active’ and ‘passionate’ fan really means something.

“Northern Fury is an important part of the North Queensland community. We want to contribute to the development of football in this region for a very long time and this is how we think we can best do this.”

Krayem said introducing the new membership structure was part of the Fury’s longer term aspirations to be part of national competitions.

The top range memberships – Fury Foundation Members at a cost of $1,000 – also offer the chance to stand for the Board, with half the directorships expected to be up for election every second year.

The first three Fury Foundation Members have already been purchased by State Minister for Local Government, David Crisafulli, Mayor of Townsville, Jenny Hill and the Federal Member for Herbert, Ewen Jones.

“We’re inviting anyone and everyone who wants to help us build Northern Fury into an integral part of the national sporting landscape, and who can afford it, to become a Fury Foundation Member,” Krayem said.

For those who still want to influence the future direction of the club, Fury Forever members are also able to vote for the Board of directors at a cost of $135 or $250 for families.

The other membership categories include:

• Fury for Everyone - $79 concession / $99
• Fury Junior Army - $45, and
• Fury Far & Wide - $30 for those who live outside of Townsville.

“We hope that everyone who has an interest in the future development of football in North Queensland, or who just want to see a strong, community club in the region for the future benefit of our children and their children, will join us.

“We welcome anyone living in North Queensland, or members of the North Queensland diaspora living throughout Australia or the world to be part of something bigger with us.

“Fury is forever, and for everyone,” Krayem said.

Details of the membership packages and inclusions are available for purchase at www.northernfury.com.au or by calling Northern Fury on 07 4778 2352.

 

Image: Keith Eigeland