What the behind the roar podcast proved to me was 2 things. First iv no doubt it was organised by Richo as he took the lead.
Secondly Romero is way in over her head and hasn't got a clue what to do. She should have come out publicly day one and openly said she supported the review recommendations, instead she hid behind a press release with no substance. She looked like a fish out of water.
Iv no doubt she had every intention of rolling back the review recommendations until the podcast guys and fanbase united and gave them blow back, iv no doubt Richo got involved and she was told she needs to fullfill her obligations to the review. I believe the fan and political pressure made her backdown.
She may have had the independants ready to go from the beginning of the media storm but I think she would have openly come out if she did. She showed her true colours when the three board members got booted for a combined 15 years lol
I'm cynical ill wait for the independants to take their seats, and I mean independants from HBG free to serve the Wests Tigers before I'm certain we won, but it looks really good. To the podcast guys, the guys running the Unite movement and the general fanbase, great job all. They tried to steal our team and basically told them to get stuffed, and it looks like we won. Great job all, pat yourselves on the back.
What the behind the roar podcast proved to me was 2 things. First iv no doubt it was organised by Richo as he took the lead.
Secondly Romero is way in over her head and hasn't got a clue what to do. She should have come out publicly day one and openly said she supported the review recommendations, instead she hid behind a press release with no substance. She looked like a fish out of water.
Iv no doubt she had every intention of rolling back the review recommendations until the podcast guys and fanbase united and gave them blow back, iv no doubt Richo got involved and she was told she needs to fullfill her obligations to the review. I believe the fan and political pressure made her backdown.
She may have had the independants ready to go from the beginning of the media storm but I think she would have openly come out if she did. She showed her true colours when the three board members got booted for a combined 15 years lol
I'm cynical ill wait for the independants to take their seats, and I mean independants from HBG free to serve the Wests Tigers before I'm certain we won, but it looks really good. To the podcast guys, the guys running the Unite movement and the general fanbase, great job all. They tried to steal our team and basically told them to get stuffed, and it looks like we won. Great job all, pat yourselves on the back.
Fingers crossed, I think we are about 95% there.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
@garry yeah mate, but I don't trust Romero and the rest of the guys on the HBG board as far as I can throw them. I'm pretty sure they will follow through after all the pressure, but they have shown how snakes they can be
I agree 100%, hopefully we have built enough pressure to give Richo the leverage to force this through now.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
And there it is! Thoughts on the new directors??
Wests Tigers complete Board transformation with four Independent Directors | Wests Tigers
Beat me to it by a minuteAnd there it is! Thoughts on the new directors??
Wests Tigers complete Board transformation with four Independent Directors | Wests Tigers
Wests Tigers are delighted to announce that Barry O’Farrell has been officially appointed as one of the four Independent Directors following a successful 12-month period as Interim Chair. Barry’s leadership and dedication during this time have been instrumental in guiding the Club forward to this stage. Barry has already demonstrated exceptional governance skills, in a complex stakeholder environment.
Additionally, we are excited to welcome three new Independent Directors to the Board:
- Charlie Viola, Executive Chair of Viola Private Wealth, and former Partner at Pitcher Partners. Charlie is a prominent Financial Advisor and Industry leader, with exceptional financial management, commercial and strategy skills. Charlie grew up in Campbelltown and now lives in the Inner West;
- Michelle McDowell, former Managing Director of Allied Express, bringing a wealth of experience in commercial, operations and logistics. Michelle has significant business acumen and is passionate about community. Michelle has deep commercial insights into the Western suburbs of Sydney;
- Annabelle Williams OAM PLY, Former Chair of the Athlete’s Commission for Paralympics Australia, and former Board member of the Paralympics Australia and Swimming Australia. Annabelle is a Lawyer and a decorated athlete, with deep insights in High-Performance, and is an advocate for inclusion and excellence in sport. Annabelle grew up in Balmain.
These appointments mark an exciting new chapter for the Wests Tigers as we continue to strengthen our leadership and vision for the future. The Chair will be elected by the Board at their first meeting on Tuesday 28th January 2025.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Historic day for the club, so good!
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
I found this point very interesting from the release, do we know who is in this group?
- Fan Engagement: Establishing and facilitating the Fans Representative Group (FRG) to foster closer connections with our supporters.
Charlie Viola. Went to St Greg’s, looks to be a Western suburbs successful businessman
Michelle McDowell. Wife of the founder of Allied Express (major sponsor). Husband close Mike Bailey and is from the Wests side of the merger
Annabelle Williams. Successful Paralympian, lawyer and various other accomplishments. Can’t find anything about a connection to either side of the club but statement saying she grew up in Balmain suggests perhaps some of that heritage.
Barry. On record as a Balmain supporter.
overall these board members look quite experienced and successful in business, politics and sport. Whilst the two from Western Sydney have close links to WA that is to be expected given the owner of the club and the fact that mature age directors will have been associated with one of the foundation clubs at some point. I can see why these directors would be acceptable to HBG but I don’t think you could call them not “independent”. I am happy that these appointments appear to be genuinely independent of HBG and as such today marks the day that one of the key recommendations of the review has been fulfilled. We now have a WT board that is majority made up of independent directors, we have a stable and financially secure owner, we have a world class chairman of the Board, we have one of the best NRL CEOs of the last 25 years and we have 5 new Top 17 recruits. Only remaining question is can Benji coach. I think he can.
I found this point very interesting from the release, do we know who is in this group?
- Fan Engagement: Establishing and facilitating the Fans Representative Group (FRG) to foster closer connections with our supporters.
From on here Joel, Kelly, Garry and I are part of this group. It's a group if 7 at this stage. In its infancy
I found this point very interesting from the release, do we know who is in this group?
- Fan Engagement: Establishing and facilitating the Fans Representative Group (FRG) to foster closer connections with our supporters.
It was actually an idea we raised during our interview for the Crawford-Barnier review.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
Press Release
15th January 2025
Wests Tigers Unite Welcomes Appointment of New Independent Directors
Wests Tigers Unite would like to congratulate the four new independent board members announced today.
We see this as the next step in the transformation of the Wests Tigers and look forward to these new additions performing their role as truly independent directors. These appointments and the constitutional changes that underpin them will allow the club to continue to grow and emerge under the guidance of this well-credentialed group of individuals.
Wests Tigers Unite would also like to recognize the recent commitment to seeing these important independent review recommendations finalized by the Holman Barnes Group (HBG).
Ends
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
Garry and I discuss the huge developments at Wests Tigers today. https://weststigerspodcast.com.au/wests-tigers-podcast-0374/
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Wests Tigers boss Shane Richardson has closed down the barber shop inside the club’s multimillion-dollar training facility at Concord, declaring “we are not in the haircutting business”.
The Tigers’ $75m training base was opened to much fanfare in 2022. While it included all the modern amenities of a state-of-the-art training hub – including gym, theatrette, sauna, steam room, lap pool, ice baths and a sleeping room – one of the biggest drawcards was a barber.
The hairdresser salon was put in place by a previous administration and it is unclear how many times it was actually used.
Richardson has removed it from the club’s headquarters.
“We just want to make a statement,” Richardson said. “We are all about business and that isn’t the haircutting business.
“Players earn enough to get their own haircuts. The bottom line to have a barber shop in a high-performance centre is not really what we wanted to look like as a club.”
Richardson is in the process of selling off the hairdressing equipment.
“We’ve managed to sell a few things like chairs,” he said.
“We’ll put that money back into the junior leagues.
“We’re all about business. That’s what it is about.”
Richardson is unsure what he will do with the space.
Saint, Sinner, Shoosh
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
