The Canberra Raiders would resist any future inducements to merge or relocate despite their ongoing financial troubles, chief executive Don Furner said yesterday.
While some Sydney-based NRL clubs are under threat because of the effects of NSW poker machine taxes on their supporting licensed clubs, Furner said yesterday the Raiders could remain viable in the ACT despite their own heavy losses.
His comments followed NRL chief executive David Gallop flagging $8million amalgamation packages for clubs to consider if their futures appeared bleak.
Furner began negotiations with the ACT Government and Canberra Stadium boss Neale Guthrie six weeks ago in a bid to secure a five-year contract extension with both.
The club's current deal which ensures a $100,000 annual grant from the Government and Canberra Stadium as its venue for all home games expires at the end of 2009.
Furner hoped confirmation the club would call Canberra Stadium home until the end of the 2014 NRL season would dismiss speculation of a potential shift from the nation's capital.
The Raiders boss revealed last week the club was losing more than $1million a year and that its five licensed clubs had suffered profit downturns of up to 12 per cent.
''Canberra is where we want to be, it's where the NRL wants us to be, it's where we will be,'' Furner said.
''A successful negotiation period and that will take months will have a major bearing on our future because if we get that, well it's a statement that we're here for at least another five years.
''Does it guarantee our financial safety? Absolutely not, we're not kidding ourselves there, we still need to pay the bills and if we're not making budget or not paying the bills, we'll have to make other cutbacks.
''But when we are able to say we can keep calling Canberra home, it's a great indication things are looking good for the club.''
Businessman John Singleton has for years been trying to either create a new franchise or lure an existing one to the Central Coast.
And while the Raiders have played away games at Singleton's Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford in the past, Furner insisted there was no desire or suggestion his club would relocate north.
''It's not even on our radar, we're not entertaining the prospect,'' he said.
''We're the only inland team in the competition, we're effectively the country team and we like it.
''We're not going anywhere and when we renegotiate a deal hopefully with the Stadium and Government here, that will be even more clear.''
A decrease of financial grants due to higher poker machine taxes has hurt all NRL clubs in the past 12 months.
The Raiders' licensed clubs group Queanbeyan Leagues Club, Gungahlin Raiders Club, the Mawson Club, the Braddon Club and the Weston Club have recorded a profit downturn of about 12 per cent in the past year.
But compared to some Sydney clubs, according to Furner, the Canberra club isn't in such a critical position.
It costs about $14million per year to run the Raiders.
''The licensed clubs industry as a whole is facing big challenges, which impacts on NRL clubs,'' Furner said.
''That said, our licensed clubs are our saviour at the moment.
''Financially, there are no guarantees, it's hard work to stay afloat and keep going and we more than ever need the fans to support us with their memberships.''
The Raiders currently have about 3000 members. But the club will soon start a membership drive in a bid to increase that to up to 5000.