They lost tens of thousands of dollars in funding and were then burgled twice - now Canberra's unluckiest sporting group, the Gungahlin Jets, has been dealt another blow.
by Ben Westcott
this article first appeared on www.canberratimes.com.au on 23/04/14
ACT Policing were called to another burglary at the Australian football team's clubhouse in Amaroo about 9.45am on Tuesday, the third time in as many months.
Club chairman Joe Cortese said that when he was first told on Tuesday morning, he thought someone had bene playing a joke on him.
"I could wring necks yesterday... it's just a pain in the ass," he said. "It's like someone coming to your house to smash your windows, what are they achieving?"
Mr Cortese said the burglars had taken $200 in Freddo frogs, canned drinks and jelly pythons, while causing an estimated $500 in damage.
He said they had been disturbed by the newly-installed alarm and fled, leaving a trail of chocolate and soft-drink in their wake.
"Their effort to break-in wasn't a good result for what they took," he said. "The club now has to fix everything that's damaged."
Police had previously attended robberies at the playing fields on February 15 and March 8, both of which they said were still under investigation.
The Gungahlin Jets will now install security cameras in their clubhouse and increase the strength of the locks on their doors.
Mr Cortese said the community's reaction had been fantastic, working as an informal neighbourhood watch for the Jets and supporting its club.
"Local businesses have got on board as well as people from the community - it's jelled the Gungahlin community to get behind the Jets and get behind the club," he said.
In March, it received $40,000 from the ACT government to pay for increased security at the club, replacing a $66,000 grant the Abbott government previously withdrew.
A spokesperson for ACT Policing said investigations were still underway into all three burglaries and if people had any information they could contact CrimeStoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or via www.act.crimestoppers.com.au.
photo by Jay Cronan
Last Modified on 24/04/2014 09:50