This is my last post in regards to Wests Tigers identity as I prefer to occasionally promote debate rather than take a great part in the debate. I think this topic is worth a little debating but probably with greater minds than my own. I may be grasping at straws here but today I thought how common it is for people with an indigenous background to acknowledge how proud they are of their heritage and how it gives them a greater sense of identity. You can also say this of most people who have different cultural backgrounds. You can also say it of yourself. Knowing the stories of your parents, grandparents etc gives you a greater sense of identity. Generally people are proud of their heritage, it contributes to who they are and who they become. It's rare for people to ignore it although due to circumstances that can happen. I don't think it is too different to a football club that is the product of a merger between two other, older football clubs. It's our choice although by not using it to strengthen our identity are we missing an opportunity to make us a better club?
I think leveraging of the identity of Wests and Balmain was fine in the early days, but the club has been around for over 20 years now. I don't want to be hearing about Benny Elias and Blocker Roach, we have our own history and our own legends. It is time to step away from Mum and Dad and forge our own identity, no longer be looked at as the child of Wests and Balmain but an entity in our own right.
The only problem Garry is the entity we have become will probably have a Conjuring movie based on it
We came together for the wrong reasons in the beginning and our original business model/ plan and structure is / was very flawed and is quite negative ...doesn't really promote strength , unity or accountability
We are a long way from being out of the woods no matter what the business analyst say ....we need huge changes across the board but too many are too worried about their own patch of turf and only have their own interests at heart
I probably won't be around in 25 years and I won't be surprised if the WT's aren't around either to be honest
@garry I understand that Garry but it's not about Blocker or Benny it's about Wests Tigers' heritage, they are only a tiny part of that from one particular era of one half of the joint venture. There is much, much more to the story than two individuals or one particular era. Everyone, players, administrators, coaches, supporters, families of them all etc are part of this club. Do you not feel that your family is part of your story, your mother, your father? Do you include them in your life, your journey. Do they contribute anything at all? If they do then they must be part of your identity, a big part. If they don't then you are probably in the minority. Isn't there a greater connection between fans and club if we embrace our heritage and use it to strengthen our identity?
When the club won the premiership in 2005 I was leaving the stadium and I saw an old friend I've known for many years in the distance. He is a Western Suburbs fan who is one of those who to this day calls for Wests to be back in the NRL comp'. He goes to all Lidcombe Oval games. But on that day in 2005 he went to the Grand Final supporting Wests Tigers because he wanted to feel that it was his club. I've never mentioned it to him as I know what kind of response I'll get but I've offered wondered why didn't he continue to feel that way, that it was his club, Wests were now a part of Wests Tigers. The only answer I have is that he felt disenfranchised, if that's the word, as the years passed. Very few games were played at Campbelltown and little was done to strengthen the bond between the old and the new. I can only assume that my friend, over time, got the very real impression that Wests Tigers needed to forget the founding clubs in order to become a stronger club itself, to forge its own identity. Now, I am very much a supporter of Wests Tigers, there wouldn't be many more passionate than myself but 17 years later and what is Wests Tigers' identity? Is Wests Tigers now a stronger club? Why isn't my friend like me, an old Wests Magpies supporter now very much a supporter and member of Wests Tigers?
@garry I understand that Garry but it's not about Blocker or Benny it's about Wests Tigers' heritage, they are only a tiny part of that from one particular era of one half of the joint venture. There is much, much more to the story than two individuals or one particular era. Everyone, players, administrators, coaches, supporters, families of them all etc are part of this club. Do you not feel that your family is part of your story, your mother, your father? Do you include them in your life, your journey. Do they contribute anything at all? If they do then they must be part of your identity, a big part. If they don't then you are probably in the minority. Isn't there a greater connection between fans and club if we embrace our heritage and use it to strengthen our identity?
When the club won the premiership in 2005 I was leaving the stadium and I saw an old friend I've known for many years in the distance. He is a Western Suburbs fan who is one of those who to this day calls for Wests to be back in the NRL comp'. He goes to all Lidcombe Oval games. But on that day in 2005 he went to the Grand Final supporting Wests Tigers because he wanted to feel that it was his club. I've never mentioned it to him as I know what kind of response I'll get but I've offered wondered why didn't he continue to feel that way, that it was his club, Wests were now a part of Wests Tigers. The only answer I have is that he felt disenfranchised, if that's the word, as the years passed. Very few games were played at Campbelltown and little was done to strengthen the bond between the old and the new. I can only assume that my friend, over time, got the very real impression that Wests Tigers needed to forget the founding clubs in order to become a stronger club itself, to forge its own identity. Now, I am very much a supporter of Wests Tigers, there wouldn't be many more passionate than myself but 17 years later and what is Wests Tigers' identity? Is Wests Tigers now a stronger club? Why isn't my friend like me, an old Wests Magpies supporter now very much a supporter and member of Wests Tigers?
Because some people can't let go of what they have lost. It is not about forgetting Wests and Balmain. They should be celebrated an remembered, it is about forging our own presence. I am not my parents and this club is not Wests Magpies or Balmain Tigers.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
This is my last post in regards to Wests Tigers identity as I prefer to occasionally promote debate rather than take a great part in the debate. I think this topic is worth a little debating but probably with greater minds than my own. I may be grasping at straws here but today I thought how common it is for people with an indigenous background to acknowledge how proud they are of their heritage and how it gives them a greater sense of identity. You can also say this of most people who have different cultural backgrounds. You can also say it of yourself. Knowing the stories of your parents, grandparents etc gives you a greater sense of identity. Generally people are proud of their heritage, it contributes to who they are and who they become. It's rare for people to ignore it although due to circumstances that can happen. I don't think it is too different to a football club that is the product of a merger between two other, older football clubs. It's our choice although by not using it to strengthen our identity are we missing an opportunity to make us a better club?
I think leveraging of the identity of Wests and Balmain was fine in the early days, but the club has been around for over 20 years now. I don't want to be hearing about Benny Elias and Blocker Roach, we have our own history and our own legends. It is time to step away from Mum and Dad and forge our own identity, no longer be looked at as the child of Wests and Balmain but an entity in our own right.
But we’re being run by guys that are living in the past. Magpies NSW Cup is the perfect example. When was the last time you drove by Wests Ashfield? Not very ‘Wests Tigers’ if you ask me.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
@helmesy Fair enough. We'll agree to disagree. But good to read other's views anyway. Fair to say I'm in the minority on this one. I'll cop that sweet.
@garry Now I agree 100% with that statement Garry. But how are they celebrated and remembered by our club?
@garry Now I agree 100% with that statement Garry. But how are they celebrated and remembered by our club?
The fact they are on the jersey is a pretty good recognition of the past.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
@helmesy they need to scrap the Magpies nsw cup side they ate not a feeder club aka newton or Norths we are a merged club
it should be wests tigers in all grades
@helmesy they need to scrap the Magpies nsw cup side they ate not a feeder club aka newton or Norths we are a merged club
it should be wests tigers in all grades
Absolutely, it’s bloody ridiculous.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
@helmesy they need to scrap the Magpies nsw cup side they ate not a feeder club aka newton or Norths we are a merged club
it should be wests tigers in all grades
I have no problem with it.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
@garry we try and promote one club and serve up Magpies in nsw cup... no thanks
no wonder we don't get things right this board is moronic holding on to that magpie spirit As for Balmain well they stupidly moved out of leagues club and Labor changed plans and they got in to bed with Elias the rest is history
Get some business acumen on to the board
@garry we try and promote one club and serve up Magpies in nsw cup... no thanks
no wonder we don't get things right this board is moronic holding on to that magpie spirit As for Balmain well they stupidly moved out of leagues club and Labor changed plans and they got in to bed with Elias the rest is history
Get some business acumen on to the board
I still have no problem with us using Wests Magpies as a feeder club.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
Wests Tigers don't even acknowledge Junior and feeder Clubs anymore..
Wests Tigers don't even acknowledge Junior and feeder Clubs anymore..
How do you mean Geo?
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
@garry we try and promote one club and serve up Magpies in nsw cup... no thanks
no wonder we don't get things right this board is moronic holding on to that magpie spirit As for Balmain well they stupidly moved out of leagues club and Labor changed plans and they got in to bed with Elias the rest is history
Get some business acumen on to the board
Agree completely.
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
