Taking a wrecking ball to the club! (Recent Media Reports)

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Joel Helmes said:
Wests Tigers Unite

For ALL Wests Tigers Fans​



Press Release

30th December 2024



A diverse group of leading Wests Tigers social media platforms and supporter groups has unified under the banner ‘Wests Tigers Unite’ and launched a petition calling for a review of the governance of the Holman Barnes Group (HBG)

The group's formation came about following months of negative headlines about the ownership and governance of the Wests Tigers NRL club, and more specifically, recent developments in the administration and governance of the NRL club’s majority stakeholder, HBG.

There is a significant amount of frustration and concern among Wests Tigers fans after the HBG board initially unanimously supported the recommendations of an external review into the governance of the Wests Tigers (conducted in late 2023), however, changes on the HBG board early in 2024 left those recommendations floundering.

In more recent times, three pro-review directors have been sidelined and look set to be entirely removed from their positions (and even banned from entering any HBG-controlled premises) based on allegations that seem to be thin at best.

It appears that those who have control of the HBG board are continuing to resist key review recommendations, and there are also deeper concerns among Wests Tigers fans that those now in charge of the HBG are not working in the best interests of the NRL club.

Further, there are significant concerns among the members of Wests Tigers Unite that the corporate governance, primarily the HBG’s long-established Debenture system, fails to provide fair representation to club members or meet community and regulator expectations.

The Wests Tigers Unite petition is calling for a comprehensive external review of the governance of the Holman Barnes Group and will be presented to the HBG, Liquor and Gaming NSW, and the NSW Minister for Liquor and Gaming, The Hon. David Harris, MP.

Members of Wests Tigers Unite include well-known ‘Wests Tigers Life’ podcast contributor Rob Bechara, ‘The Ambush’ Wests Tigers fan group, the Wests Tigers Forum, Tiger Town Podcast, and the Wests Tigers Podcast & Forum.

The petition has currently received over 500 signed submissions, and it is anticipated that further Wests Tigers fan and media platforms will join us in this action in the coming days.

Mr. Bechara says he supports the petition because he is concerned about the procrastination of the implementation of the full recommendations made by the independent and external review.

“I’m also bothered by the continuous unrest amongst board members of Holman Barnes Group and the embarrassment it not only brings to themselves but also the Wests Tigers.

“A united board at ownership level is vital for the stability and success at the Wests Tigers and all decisions made at board level MUST be in the best interests of the Wests Tigers and its future.

“I hope all Wests Tigers fans support this petition. It’s in the best interests of Wests Tigers future.”

The Ambush co-founder Kelly Hollis says supporting the petition was an easy decision.

“Our group has always been about uniting Wests Tigers fans and creating a strong community, both on and off the field. Supporting the Wests Tigers Unite petition is a natural extension of that mission.

“We stand with fans calling for transparency and accountability in the club’s governance to ensure the future of the Tigers is as strong as the passion of its supporters.

“It’s time for the club we love to thrive, and we’re proud to back this important cause.”

Tiger Town Podcast co-owners Toby Burke and Zac Kelsey say they are right behind the movement.

“We feel obligated to support this petition due to our ongoing concerns with the perceived dysfunction at board level of the majority owners of Wests Tigers, the Holman Barnes Group, and, how this has impacted and will continue to impact, a cohesive and congruent Wests Tigers Board; something that is a necessity for a rugby league club to be successful.

“We are only interested in the success and stability of the football club moving forward and are concerned that the current governance structure is preventing necessary progress from taking place, let alone in a timely and expedited fashion.

“The dysfunction, infighting and agendas need to end, once and for all.'

Wests Tigers Podcast & Forum co-founder Joel Helmes says the current governance structure at HBG appears to consistently be proving problematic.

“The Holman Barnes Group, and by extension the Wests Tigers, has become a plaything for a small group of individuals who are not answerable to anyone.

“Under the current set-up there doesn’t appear to be any feasible or tangible mechanisms to enforce good governance, and certainly no direct democratic process that could be triggered to ensure the people in charge of the HBG are accountable.

“It is in my opinion that the Debenture-controlled HBG board fails to meet one of the five priorities of the Liquor & Gaming NSW Delivery Plan 2024 – 2026, namely, ensuring responsible governance, operator integrity, and financial accountability.”

One of the three elected HBG directors set to be removed from their positions was the long-serving Rick Wayde.

Wayde, along with Tony Andreacchio and David Gilbert, have been suspended for several weeks and are likely to have their club memberships revoked, removing them from being able to hold positions on the HBG board.

Wayde says what has happened to him and his two fellow board members shows the HBG governance is not providing the 27,000 Members of the HBG licensed clubs with representation at Board level.

“Tony and I have been through five elections over the past 13 years, being unopposed in early 2024, for a three-year term. During our time we have helped establish a stable environment for the CEO and his executive team to build a strong, company, resulting in record profits over the past three years.

“We have also been the prime movers in the Wests Tigers review and its implementation. That HBG Boardroom stability has disappeared in the current power grab by debenture holders - Julie Romero, Dennis Burgess, Stephen Montgomery, and Vince Tropiano.

“The debenture system has passed its ‘use by’ date.” Mr. Wayde said.

ENDS
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Excellent statement and love the solidarity between all the Wests Tigers supporter groups.

Thank you for organising and posting
 
balmain boy said:
Do you really think it's a coincidence that the three HNG board members who supported the review are being kicked out by the three that were opposed to it?? For trivial petty things like calling someone's wife 'Darl'?
The arrogance and unprofessionalism of HBG knows no bounds. We must remove ourselves from their dictatorship of incompetence
Click to expand...
Wow bb..."dictatorship of incompetence" that's a colourful and imaginative few words, well done mate.
There must be another 1k similar phrases as good as yours flotin round on our forum.
 
Ron Brodrick's Spirit said:
By the way, as far as I can tell your posting history is that you are dead silent on any issue except management of the club.
It's crickets in every other thread.
You only turn up to parties like this with your noisemaker and streamers.
Click to expand...
💯agree with you RBS as I don't ever recall seeing him posting on any other thread.
But once there is a bit of controversy around, he's into it like a mosquito chasing after a bloody meal.
 
BZN said:
💯agree with you RBS as I don't ever recall seeing him posting on any other thread.
But once there is a bit of controversy around, he's into it like a mosquito chasing after a bloody meal.
Click to expand...
According to transparently partisan stooges who have zero interest in Wests Tigers aside from Magpies ownership "rights" to run the joint into the ground!

Fulltime forum trolls who never addresses any substantive facts...

You have more "last posts on this issue" than Farnham & Chisel have had combined "farewell" concerts!!
 
BZN said:
I'm one of the older generation swag_tiger and I am not and have not suggested our JV should split.
Click to expand...
What are you arguing about then?

Balmain and Wests aside, the board has been atrocious prior to their dismissal and clearly hamstrung any ability to create success. The evidence is in the results and overpaid signings we've had to witness while we ran up 3 wooden spoons.

Are you really advocating for Burgess and Romero to govern the joint going forward?

List your agenda clearly.
 
BZN said:
That's a totally ridiculous thing to say liltiger.
Have you ever dealt with a narcissist?
Click to expand...
Dealing with one right now actually. Paid some decent coin to talk to someone about it. Turns out the first rule in dealing with a narcessist is never feed the narcessist. Just get on with life and move on. Don't respond, reach out or ask around about how they're going. Just got to get up and go. Sounds harsh but they don't empathise with things well adjusted people do. People are just things they use to get something from. Friends are just tools. In reality they're just trying to do what they have to due to past trauma they're protecting themselves from. They put on a mask. Don't bother calling them out on anything, they can get real nasty. Better to just move on.
 
BZN said:
So TS...you don't care about the dramas "beyond how it affects the Tigers". I can only assume that you mean Balmain Tigers as you haven't added the WESTS in front of Tigers.
Then, just 2 posts later @cochise responds with a "spot on" meaning he is in total agreement with you, as he hasn't included the word WESTS either.
Did it just slip your memory that we are called Wests Tigers Cochise, OR did your real feelings of your allegiance to Balmain Tigers show?

Don't forget folks, if you are talking about Wests Tigers on here, please include the WESTS name in your post. That way there is no misinterpretation.

I reckon for someone like Cochise who considers himself to be a V.I.P. in all things Wests Tigers, it's pretty darn disrespectful of him not to use our full name, particularly at a time of heightened tension that exist at the moment.
Don't forget Cochise...write for your reader.
Just tryin to help Mate.
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I have told you before, I don't care if people use any of our names mate. Wests, Tigers or Wests Tigers is all the same thing mate.
 
Joel Helmes said:
Wests Tigers Unite

For ALL Wests Tigers Fans​



Press Release

30th December 2024



A diverse group of leading Wests Tigers social media platforms and supporter groups has unified under the banner ‘Wests Tigers Unite’ and launched a petition calling for a review of the governance of the Holman Barnes Group (HBG)

The group's formation came about following months of negative headlines about the ownership and governance of the Wests Tigers NRL club, and more specifically, recent developments in the administration and governance of the NRL club’s majority stakeholder, HBG.

There is a significant amount of frustration and concern among Wests Tigers fans after the HBG board initially unanimously supported the recommendations of an external review into the governance of the Wests Tigers (conducted in late 2023), however, changes on the HBG board early in 2024 left those recommendations floundering.

In more recent times, three pro-review directors have been sidelined and look set to be entirely removed from their positions (and even banned from entering any HBG-controlled premises) based on allegations that seem to be thin at best.

It appears that those who have control of the HBG board are continuing to resist key review recommendations, and there are also deeper concerns among Wests Tigers fans that those now in charge of the HBG are not working in the best interests of the NRL club.

Further, there are significant concerns among the members of Wests Tigers Unite that the corporate governance, primarily the HBG’s long-established Debenture system, fails to provide fair representation to club members or meet community and regulator expectations.

The Wests Tigers Unite petition is calling for a comprehensive external review of the governance of the Holman Barnes Group and will be presented to the HBG, Liquor and Gaming NSW, and the NSW Minister for Liquor and Gaming, The Hon. David Harris, MP.

Members of Wests Tigers Unite include well-known ‘Wests Tigers Life’ podcast contributor Rob Bechara, ‘The Ambush’ Wests Tigers fan group, the Wests Tigers Forum, Tiger Town Podcast, and the Wests Tigers Podcast & Forum.

The petition has currently received over 500 signed submissions, and it is anticipated that further Wests Tigers fan and media platforms will join us in this action in the coming days.

Mr. Bechara says he supports the petition because he is concerned about the procrastination of the implementation of the full recommendations made by the independent and external review.

“I’m also bothered by the continuous unrest amongst board members of Holman Barnes Group and the embarrassment it not only brings to themselves but also the Wests Tigers.

“A united board at ownership level is vital for the stability and success at the Wests Tigers and all decisions made at board level MUST be in the best interests of the Wests Tigers and its future.

“I hope all Wests Tigers fans support this petition. It’s in the best interests of Wests Tigers future.”

The Ambush co-founder Kelly Hollis says supporting the petition was an easy decision.

“Our group has always been about uniting Wests Tigers fans and creating a strong community, both on and off the field. Supporting the Wests Tigers Unite petition is a natural extension of that mission.

“We stand with fans calling for transparency and accountability in the club’s governance to ensure the future of the Tigers is as strong as the passion of its supporters.

“It’s time for the club we love to thrive, and we’re proud to back this important cause.”

Tiger Town Podcast co-owners Toby Burke and Zac Kelsey say they are right behind the movement.

“We feel obligated to support this petition due to our ongoing concerns with the perceived dysfunction at board level of the majority owners of Wests Tigers, the Holman Barnes Group, and, how this has impacted and will continue to impact, a cohesive and congruent Wests Tigers Board; something that is a necessity for a rugby league club to be successful.

“We are only interested in the success and stability of the football club moving forward and are concerned that the current governance structure is preventing necessary progress from taking place, let alone in a timely and expedited fashion.

“The dysfunction, infighting and agendas need to end, once and for all.'

Wests Tigers Podcast & Forum co-founder Joel Helmes says the current governance structure at HBG appears to consistently be proving problematic.

“The Holman Barnes Group, and by extension the Wests Tigers, has become a plaything for a small group of individuals who are not answerable to anyone.

“Under the current set-up there doesn’t appear to be any feasible or tangible mechanisms to enforce good governance, and certainly no direct democratic process that could be triggered to ensure the people in charge of the HBG are accountable.

“It is in my opinion that the Debenture-controlled HBG board fails to meet one of the five priorities of the Liquor & Gaming NSW Delivery Plan 2024 – 2026, namely, ensuring responsible governance, operator integrity, and financial accountability.”

One of the three elected HBG directors set to be removed from their positions was the long-serving Rick Wayde.

Wayde, along with Tony Andreacchio and David Gilbert, have been suspended for several weeks and are likely to have their club memberships revoked, removing them from being able to hold positions on the HBG board.

Wayde says what has happened to him and his two fellow board members shows the HBG governance is not providing the 27,000 Members of the HBG licensed clubs with representation at Board level.

“Tony and I have been through five elections over the past 13 years, being unopposed in early 2024, for a three-year term. During our time we have helped establish a stable environment for the CEO and his executive team to build a strong, company, resulting in record profits over the past three years.

“We have also been the prime movers in the Wests Tigers review and its implementation. That HBG Boardroom stability has disappeared in the current power grab by debenture holders - Julie Romero, Dennis Burgess, Stephen Montgomery, and Vince Tropiano.

“The debenture system has passed its ‘use by’ date.” Mr. Wayde said.

ENDS
Click to expand...
Great release Joel. I think your quotes were the best there. Really calls out the key issues and where it's stepping over legislative rules.
 
BlackWhiteGold said:
We all want the West Tigers to be a well-governed operation RBS. For this we want the review recommendations implemented in full & the board structured as per the recommendations. It seems you are trying to deflect the main issue here with passionate members of this forum like you are associated with the HBG cabal or something. Simple question, are you for the recommendations & WT board structure as per the review or against?
Click to expand...
I'll answer that BWG...I'm pretty sure no one here could give 2 hoots about West Tigers, but I am also pretty sure everyone including me, want WESTS Tigers to be a well governed operation.
 
BZN said:
Yuh know, I reckon with so much un-necessary anti-Magpies sentiment shown on the WESTS Tigers Forum [which Imo really isn't a Wests Tigers Forum, it's a Balmain Tigers Forum] this could be a perfect example of how the Balmain people on the WT board behave, causing never ending disharmony and disruption which doesn't allow the board to really get on with things.
But in spite of that I feel the board has performed pretty well in getting the services of Richo along with the several new players, plus getting upgrades to C.S.S. and Leichhardt Oval.
I reckon any reasonable, fair and unbiased thinker would have to agree the board has done pretty well.
Click to expand...
why is this guy allowed to post this stuff ? Because it’s not abusive . It’s litterally the most inflammatory stuff anyone could post . Absolute bullshit of the highest order …
 
weststigers said:
What are you arguing about then?

Balmain and Wests aside, the board has been atrocious prior to their dismissal and clearly hamstrung any ability to create success. The evidence is in the results and overpaid signings we've had to witness while we ran up 3 wooden spoons.

Are you really advocating for Burgess and Romero to govern the joint going forward?

List your agenda clearly.
Click to expand...
He’s Burgos mate / family member / burgess himself. It’s pretty clear with the way he referred to Dennis as Denny . That’s a slip up , and insight . I’d say only close mates would call someone named Dennis , Denny . Especially on a forum .
 
twentyforty said:
Enjoyed reading your post.
You had me agreeing wholeheartedly with your views until I got to the point of us not being a basket case. IMO, our progress is inextricably linked to a strong functioning independent WT board.
Has Barry O’Farrell been appointed, and if he hasn’t does he have the authority to appoint other board members?
It seems clear Romero and her buddies aren’t ready for the pursuit of excellence.
I wish I had your optimism on this matter.
Click to expand...
Why does WT's need to be run by a strong functioning 'independent' board for goodness' sake, when they own 90% of our club.

I'm not suggesting at all that the Magpies side of our JV should have 90% control of the board, or anywhere near that, but surely a 'fair-minded' person would say there must be some entitlement and or benefit from that 90% ownership.

If the board was left alone to choose competent people for the board so they could get on with the job and not be stabbed in the back by 'turncoat' board members, I reckon the club could be well run.

But on the other hand, I strongly believe Cochise being from the Balmain side of our JV wants it his way, and I believe he will do anything to strip away even the tiniest bit of control the Magpies may have.
And Imo he has proved that by shutting down anyone that dares to come on our forum and speak from a Magpies pov.
Why do you think there are so few people on here that have the guts to stand up and be counted by speaking from a Magpies pov.

It's a David V Goliath battle on here for anyone from the Magpies side of our JV to be given a fair hearing before being shut down.
 
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