Wests Tigers Unite Update
As the Petition calling for a governance review into the Holman Barnes Group moves towards 1400 signatures Garry Watson sat down for a one-on-one chat with Holman Barnes Group Debenture Holder and former director John Hardgrove.
Wests Tigers Podcast 0372 | Wests Tigers Podcast & Forum
https://omny.fm/shows/wests-tigers-podcast/wests-tigers-podcast-0372
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
Some highlights for me:
1) John seems like a pretty fair minded guy. The type you would actually want on the HBG board
2) he is an insider and thinks the penalties applied to the 3 suspended directors is way over the top. Thinks that there will be some action from ILG.
3) he was very focused on the fact that the role of the debenture holders is to protect the Magpies heritage ie that it’s why it was setup this way. This explains why having a majority of HBG on the WT will never work ie their stated role is to protect Magpies heritage so putting them in majority control of the WT board makes them conflicted as they are bound to make decisions to protect/enhance/promote magpies not WT. this is a flaw in the idea of WA buying Balmains debts and ownership ie Balmain gave majority control to an entity that appears duty bound to undermine WT identity (or at least some of its directors interpret that as their duty).
4) change is coming
@tigertownsfs As you have stated the HBG’s group board and debenture holders have in the constitution that Western Suburbs Magpies have to be there first priority so the fact is the debenture holders have the Weststigers as a secondary entity. This IMO seals the deal there HAS to be change at the HBG , that interview was an honest reflection of why the debenture system was started and in the end high lighted the need to change the governance of the HBG into modern governance structure . As Mr Hardgrove stated it should be what you know not who you know!
Great interview @Garry
Really enjoyed listening and finding out more about how HBG works
One question I would like to ask is - is it possible HBG change their remit to:
- support Wests Tigers as a priority, as the NRL club representing the whole of Sydney's West
- protect and promote the heritage Wests Magpies and Balmain Tigers - and
- Support all rugby league pathways within the region
With the purchase of Wests Tigers, buyout of Balmain and change of name to Holman Barnes Group - you'd think this update reflects their current position?
Top 8 2023
Great interview @Garry
Really enjoyed listening and finding out more about how HBG works
One question I would like to ask is - is it possible HBG change their remit to:
- support Wests Tigers as a priority, as the NRL club representing the whole of Sydney's West
- protect and promote the heritage Wests Magpies and Balmain Tigers - and
- Support all rugby league pathways within the region
With the purchase of Wests Tigers, buyout of Balmain and change of name to Holman Barnes Group - you'd think this update reflects their current position?
this is what I was thinking listening to the pod. The HBg debenture system has many flaws but a big one is that its mandate and debenture selection process requires promotion of magpies heritage. This was relevant in 1955 but once it purchased the Balmain leagues club and it became the Holman Barnes Group then it should have updated its constitution to be caretaker of both traditions and its membership should have been expanded to include Balmain figures as debenture holders. The fact that Hardgrove confirms that debenture holders are still worried about the team colours and the size of the magpie is a perfect example of how the current structure guarantees division.
John was really good, I just tried to get out of the way for the most part and let him speak.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
The pod really cements for me, why the Wests Tigers Board needs to be truly independent. Basically so it can make decisions in the best interests of the Wests Tigers and not either of the foundation clubs or HBG. It’s dysfunctional with the current set up.John was really good, I just tried to get out of the way for the most part and let him speak.
great interview Gary, learnt lots and loved his honesty, wish we had more who thought like John
