Petition: Support for Miguel Vogeler – TRX Group Training at Warrimoo Oval

Statement of Purpose

We, the undersigned members of the community, request that Ku‑ring‑gai Council allow personal trainer Miguel Vogeler to continue operating his TRX Group Training classes at Warrimoo Oval, where he has trained and supported the community for over three years with council approval and without issue.

Background

Miguel has become an integral part of the Warrimoo Oval community. He lives locally in St Ives with his wife and two children and is a small business owner, supporting his family through his TRX Group Training business. His work encourages people of all ages to live healthier, more active lives — from young teens right through to clients aged up to 89 years old.

Miguel maintains strong, respectful relationships with all user groups at Warrimoo Oval, including tennis players, mahjong players, dog walkers, mountain bikers, council workers, and general park users. He keeps the area clean, stores equipment for other users (including the tennis court sweeper), and fosters a warm, inclusive environment that enhances the amenity of the oval for everyone.

Miguel pays for the car spaces (4 spaces of the 22 available) he uses in the Warrimoo Oval Lower Carpark, in full accordance with council requirements. To minimise any perceived inconvenience, he has already taken proactive steps by asking weekend clients to park in the upper carpark and morning clients to use the spaces furthest from the tennis courts. Only the 9am weekday class overlaps with pickleball players, who begin arriving around 10am, and several pickleball players have even offered to park in the upper carpark themselves, noting that the walking distance to the courts is virtually the same.

Recent Concerns

Recently, two male pickleball players from Suns Pickleball Club have raised objections to Miguel’s presence, primarily due to parking convenience. Their behaviour has included:

• taking video and photographs of women training without permission
• harassing Miguel’s classes despite being informed he pays for the car spaces
• acting aggressively toward women, to the point that a bystander intervened and asked them to change their tone

These actions have caused distress and are inconsistent with respectful use of shared public spaces.

Why Council Action Is Needed

We believe:

• Miguel’s presence enhances community safety, cohesion, and enjoyment of Warrimoo Oval
• His use of the space aligns with council policy and long‑standing practice
• The complaint raised is disproportionate and based on personal convenience
• The behaviour of the complainants warrants review
• Removing or forcing Miguel to relocate would harm the community and reward inappropriate conduct

We ask Council to follow its formal complaints process, consider the full context, and ensure decisions are based on fairness and community benefit.

Our Request

We respectfully request that Ku‑ring‑gai Council:

• conduct a formal review of the complaint
• consider the behaviour of all parties involved
• recognise Miguel Vogeler’s positive contribution to Warrimoo Oval
• allow him to continue operating in his current location
• consider that the concerns of a few individuals should not override and disrupt the needs and goodwill of the broader community who use and support the park.