Wests Tigers outgoing Board members are leaving the Club with an important blueprint for the future as they hand over to a restructured Board.
“Long running uncertainty over our finances previously made it difficult to propose the way ahead, but the Board has projected better times ahead following the release of secured funding from Wests Ashfield Leagues Club and the NRL,” said most recent Chairman, Mike Bailey.
“The lack of financial backing from Balmain Tigers and persistent delays in securing promised governance reform and additional capital from the League has created difficulties this year.
“However, the Board has been united in addressing numerous issues including the retention of Balmain and Wests juniors like Luke Brooks, Mitchell Moses, James Tedesco, David Nofoaluma and others.
“We also have approved a range of important structural changes to improve all aspects of Wests Tigers’ longer-term operations, despite facing recent criticism for certain matters over which we have had little direct control,” Bailey said.
He added that the long-running dispute with former coach, Tim Sheens had been settled to allow a smooth transition for the incoming Board.
Bailey added: “Those leaving the Board also insisted that the Club’s commitment to south-west Sydney be given increased attention, with the region producing one of our best match attendances for the 15th anniversary clash against Brisbane.
“Junior development programs for Wests Tigers embrace one of the largest areas of any Sydney-based NRL team, and the Board has delivered on fulfilling the demands of that enormous task,” he said.
In other developments over the past year, the Board has:
- Overseen the re-signing of key sponsors including Meriton, Moment Media and Allied Express, with new arrangements secured with XCast and iProsperity
- Ensured continued development across the Club’s large footprint through staff and player engagements with community programs against bullying; boosting reading levels for students; and re-establishing links with the Kids of Macarthur organisation
- Supported one of our own through a successful function to provide necessary additional financial support to Simon Dwyer
- Backed staff initiatives which have increased Membership numbers and attracted supporters both to games including a series of special events designed to increase their involvement with the team.
Mike Bailey said that retiring Board members had completed numerous achievements to benefit the club without making headlines.
“Past differences between groups formerly on the Board were put to bed some time ago and our efforts have been strongly united since agreeing early last year to begin negotiations with the League over finances and structural changes.
“We are leaving the Club in strong hands to deliver an exciting future for our players, corporate backers, staff, members and supporters and we welcome the new Board comprising Rosemary Sinclair, Lucio Di Bartolomeo, Marina Go, Tony Andreacchio and Simon Cook,” said Bailey.
