East Campbelltown Eagles demand Council returns ‘stolen’ vehicles ahead of weekend’s round

The club president of the East Campbelltown Eagles Rugby League Club has been left fuming after council impounded two critical pieces of equipment used for its home matches. Here’s why.

East Campbelltown Eagles and the missing van, 2023.

A suburban rugby league club is refusing to use “our kids’ money” for the return of its game-day equipment “stolen” by Campbelltown City Council.

Last Thursday at Waminda Oval, a van and trailer owned by the East Campbelltown Eagles was loaded up and relocated to the council’s impounding facility.

After reaching out to council just on three weeks ago to assist with the removal of illegally parked spectators at the club’s home ground, Eagles president Daniel Draper is now fighting to save equipment vital for match day operations.

“It is theft, theft of our van, theft of our registered trailer and theft of the contents used for our game day operations,” said Draper.

Eagles president Daniel Draper at Waminda Oval. Picture: supplied

While he acknowledged the van’s registration expired last March, Draper remained critical of Council’s “overzealous” approach.

“The club received no formal notification on the removal process. We received nothing in writing until three days after the van and trailer were repossessed,” Draper said.

“We’ve been complaining almost every home game about cars parked on the footpath because it’s a safety issue, particularly for children crossing the adjacent busy road, and not once has the ranger attended.

“It has nothing to do with where the van and trailer were parked.”

Illegal parking: cars parked nose to fence at Waminda Oval. Picture: Supplied

In the formal advice received on July 28, council advised that the impounded vehicles could be retrieved from the Milperra based Pickles auction yards upon payment of applicable fees.

Having already battled with council over inferior drainage at Waminda Oval for more than 12 months, a fired up Draper refuses to dip into funds provided by the club’s 600 registered members.

“Our club has lost enough money due to Campbelltown Council’s incompetence from last year, when we couldn’t play at home until the finals,” he said.

“The club will not be using our kids’ money to have our items returned. We expect nothing more than to have it returned by Campbelltown Council.”

Contacted for comment, a Campbelltown Council spokesperson explained the removal of the unregistered van was justified, while the manner in which both vehicles were repossessed is currently under review.

“As the van is an unregistered vehicle, it cannot be lawfully parked within a public place,” said the spokesperson.

“Council is currently reviewing the entire process and looking for a solution to help the club.”