Majority shareholder Rick Penn pours $1 million into junior rugby league in Manly area Anthony Watmough came through the Manly junior system. THE Penn family has confirmed its commitment to the Manly Sea Eagles with a $1 million pledge to fund junior rugby league on the northern peninsula. Majority shareholder Rick Penn yesterday scuttled rumours his family wanted out in light of the bitter battle for control of the district football club. "We are here for the long term, and to prove that, we will provide a $1 million propagation to junior rugby league on the peninsular over a 10-year period," Penn said. Penn is one of Australia's wealthiest men and is determined to ensure the Sea Eagles survive at Brookvale Oval, despite the NRL's move to play at bigger stadiums. He has challenged the NRL to match his offer dollar for dollar to fund the juniors over the next decade. "We would expect the NRL to match our propagation and give an assurance that the Sea Eagles remain at Brookie," Penn said. Our juniors should be run by a committee with representatives of the District Football Club and the Leagues Club. We would ask someone of Bobby Fulton's legendary standing and passion for junior development to chair the committee and use the Leagues Club as headquarters for meetings. This way the Leagues Club is reunited to the heart of the Sea Eagles. It's 16,000 members deserve nothing less. I'd also like to see junior matches played at a redeveloped 'Brookie', in addition to the Sea Eagles home games. There are some outstanding possibilities for our future growth. Penn is one of Australia's most successful businessman who has enjoyed enormous success in the seven years since becoming involved as an owner at Manly. The club has reached the finals every year, made four grand finals, won two premierships and a world club championship. In the hope stability among warring factions on the Manly board, Penn has offered to get behind the appointment of an independent chairman. The position is currently held by his son Scott, who is having to spend increasing time on overseas business. He also wants prime minister Tony Abbott on board as the club's No. 1 ticket holder. Once we feel that we have a stable Sea Eagles board working to good governance principles we would be very happy to have an independent chairman and we would be very proud and honoured to have the prime minister as our No. 1 ticket holder," Penn said.