OFFICIAL Wests Tigers Unite: Call to Arms

[Mighty_Tiger]

Thanks for posting. My god that is horribly written.

Reads like a long winded forum response that most people skim past.

All they needed to do is provide a simple statement that confirms they are only focusing on the Wests Tigers and advises the independent appointments will be announced by x date as they are currently working through the final stages.

 

[cochise]

Reads like a long winded forum response that most people skim past.

All they needed to do is provide a simple statement that confirms they are only focusing on the Wests Tigers and advises the independent appointments will be announced by x date as they are currently working through the final stages.

FACT

 

[tigertuff]

Reads like a long winded forum response that most people skim past.

All they needed to do is provide a simple statement that confirms they are only focusing on the Wests Tigers and advises the independent appointments will be announced by x date as they are currently working through the final stages.

They have had long enough. The manipulation of governance to gain more power is a concern by sacking the 3 board members that were fully behind the review. The 3 so called 'independents' they are about to employee are only now critiqued by the remaining 4. Why wasn't it done previously before they were sacked. Its farcical. They have spent more time over the last 12 months scheming for more power instead of moving forward with the review recommendations.

 

[bradexl]

A positive read from the HBG yesterday. If true it certainly brings positivity and hope. With our current signings and the genuine belief that the team can achieve some success going forward- All hands on deck to nurture the Wests Tigers brand going forward is what we need. Anything less will derail what we have now set up.

 

[twentyforty]

After some of the info posted about a club being run by one of the forum members in terms of the profit margins at that club, its all pokies money. If HBG didn't have pokies they'd be bankrupt. These people aren't business geniuses they're just located in the middle of a demographic that doesn't mind parting with a bit of their coin.

Pokies pulled from storage to meet booming demand as profits soar

A year after the premier sought to cap poker machines in the community, the number of pokies in pubs and clubs has risen as venues dust off old pokies to meet demand.

www.smh.com.au

 

[Tigerdazz2]

Yeah well they happen during Labor governments......remember them under Wran (a true tiger) so it will get worse with Minns.

I live in a little town on the Mid Nth Coast and we have had only one or two blackouts since 2022. Previous to that we used to get regular blackouts every year since we moved here in 2015.

I might also add that despite numerous complaints from the locals here via mail or at community meetings at our local hall or the Bowlo our roads (though still not perfect) were downright dangerous with the huge potholes that were filled occasionally and not on a constant basis.

Between 2015 to 2022 only a very small section of our main road (that starts at Taree Airport and ends at Coopernook some 30 plus Km) was ever resurfaced.
Since we've had both a Labor Federal Government and state government there has been near constant resurfacing, widening and improved drainage of the worst sections of the road with most of the length of the road to be resurfaced/widened (literally dug up and totally redone) over coming months with 3 of the 8 sections gazetted already completed.

Our Local Members are BOTH Nationals & the federal member did virtually nothing to get funding for the road during the Coalition's 3 terms prior to the 2022 election. He'd always blame the cash strapped council (a council formed from Berejiklian's forced amalgamation of Greater Taree, Great Lakes & Gloucester Councils which encompasses a huge area with a relatively small population) when he could have pushed to get the road classified "a road of regional importance" to open up both state and federal funding.

The Labor State & Federal governments though have come to the party & funded these works. Ironically one of the benefactors of all this work is a bloke who owns a lot of the trucks & plant working on this project, no doubt making good $$ BUT does nothing but bag Labor & thinks the Nats are the "ants pants".......go figure! 🙄

 

[Tigerdazz2]

Pokies pulled from storage to meet booming demand as profits soar

A year after the premier sought to cap poker machines in the community, the number of pokies in pubs and clubs has risen as venues dust off old pokies to meet demand.

www.smh.com.au

They are competing with Star City & of late Crown casinos. There are free courtesy buses continually going up & down Liverpool Rd, Burwood Rd and Parramatta Rd to take punters from around Ashfield & Burwood etc to these casinos. They (Wests Ashfield ) are doing pretty alright
considering the competition whilst other licenced clubs in the inner West have gone belly up, so they must be doing something right.🤔

 

[Joel Helmes]

Wests Tigers Unite

For ALL Wests Tigers Fans

Press Release

4th January 2025


Wests Tigers Unite Welcomes Probe Of Holman Barnes Group

Members of the Wests Tigers Unite group say they are relieved to hear reports that the office of NSW Liquor & Gaming has already commenced a probe into the Holman Barnes Group (HBG) governance.

Wests Tigers Unite has brought together leading Wests Tigers-focussed social media and podcast platforms to advocate primarily for two things, firstly, for the HBG to support and implement the full recommendations of a 2023 review into the Wests Tigers NRL club, and secondly, for the implementation of the review into the governance of the majority owners of the Wests Tigers, HBG.

The group has launched a petition calling for that review into the governance of the HBG and signatures now total over 1,300. In the coming weeks, Wests Tigers Unite intends to present this petition to the HBG, Liquor & Gaming NSW, and the NSW Minister for Liquor and Gaming, The Hon. David Harris, MP.

It is expected that the petition will add community and fan weight to that review.

Meanwhile, Wests Tigers Unite would like to respond to a statement released by the HBG yesterday, in which the HBG attempted to squash recent criticism of its reluctance to fully support the review recommendations, as well as concerns about the group’s debenture holder system.

Wests Tigers Unite says the statement, although heavy on words, was light on substance and has done nothing to quell their concerns. Namely, the group remains concerned that:

The statement gave no timeline as to when the full review recommendations would be implemented. Without a timeline and transparency, we find this to be of little comfort and is nothing more than words.

In particular, the statement gave no defined timeline for the implementation of the most important recommendations, the appointment of four independent directors to the Wests Tigers board, and the constitutional change needed at the Wests Tigers to allow this to happen. The review recommendations called for this process to be completed within six months, and is now seven months overdue. This means Wests Tigers continues to be hampered by a four-person interim board, including two non-elected HBG debenture holders.

Thus, we ask the HBG to confirm to Wests Tigers fans and members without delay what the timeline is to have these important recommendations adopted.

In regards to the debenture holder group at the HBG, Wests Tigers Unite believes it is now most likely a moot point as the state government authority investigates that function of governance at the HBG.

However, we would like to see the HBG answer these questions specifically:

1. What exactly is involved in the “rigorous screening process” that members are put through when they try to gain a debenture?
2. How does the HBG know that the debenture holders accurately reflect and represent a broad cross-section of their membership (around 27,500 people)?
3. Why doesn’t any other registered club in NSW (according to our research) have debentures?
4. What is the “ever-changing environment” that you believe the debenture system protects the HBG from? How does the debenture system specifically safeguard the club from it? And, why don’t other similar clubs, presumably in similar operating environments and facing similar challenges, use a debenture group?
5. Is debenture holder John Hardgrove correct when he says the debenture system has served its purpose but a new system is now needed?
6. Is it fair and reasonable that just 17 club debenture-holding members (at present) hold five of the seven positions on the board?
7. When will the external audit of the Wests Tigers review implementation process, which was reportedly blocked by HBG, be completed? Why was this blocked in the first place?

And, finally, we ask, how can fans and members have faith in the stability and effectiveness of your governance when almost half of your board is suspended?

The HBG preaches stability, unity, and progress in its statement. We now want to see actions, not just words.

Ends

 

[Tito Santana]

Wests Tigers Unite

For ALL Wests Tigers Fans

Press Release

4th January 2025


Wests Tigers Unite Welcomes Probe Of Holman Barnes Group

Members of the Wests Tigers Unite group say they are relieved to hear reports that the office of NSW Liquor & Gaming has already commenced a probe into the Holman Barnes Group (HBG) governance.

Wests Tigers Unite has brought together leading Wests Tigers-focussed social media and podcast platforms to advocate primarily for two things, firstly, for the HBG to support and implement the full recommendations of a 2023 review into the Wests Tigers NRL club, and secondly, for the implementation of the review into the governance of the majority owners of the Wests Tigers, HBG.

The group has launched a petition calling for that review into the governance of the HBG and signatures now total over 1,300. In the coming weeks, Wests Tigers Unite intends to present this petition to the HBG, Liquor & Gaming NSW, and the NSW Minister for Liquor and Gaming, The Hon. David Harris, MP.

It is expected that the petition will add community and fan weight to that review.

Meanwhile, Wests Tigers Unite would like to respond to a statement released by the HBG yesterday, in which the HBG attempted to squash recent criticism of its reluctance to fully support the review recommendations, as well as concerns about the group’s debenture holder system.

Wests Tigers Unite says the statement, although heavy on words, was light on substance and has done nothing to quell their concerns. Namely, the group remains concerned that:

The statement gave no timeline as to when the full review recommendations would be implemented. Without a timeline and transparency, we find this to be of little comfort and is nothing more than words.

In particular, the statement gave no defined timeline for the implementation of the most important recommendations, the appointment of four independent directors to the Wests Tigers board, and the constitutional change needed at the Wests Tigers to allow this to happen. The review recommendations called for this process to be completed within six months, and is now seven months overdue. This means Wests Tigers continues to be hampered by a four-person interim board, including two non-elected HBG debenture holders.

Thus, we ask the HBG to confirm to Wests Tigers fans and members without delay what the timeline is to have these important recommendations adopted.

In regards to the debenture holder group at the HBG, Wests Tigers Unite believes it is now most likely a moot point as the state government authority investigates that function of governance at the HBG.

However, we would like to see the HBG answer these questions specifically:

1. What exactly is involved in the “rigorous screening process” that members are put through when they try to gain a debenture?
2. How does the HBG know that the debenture holders accurately reflect and represent a broad cross-section of their membership (around 27,500 people)?
3. Why doesn’t any other registered club in NSW (according to our research) have debentures?
4. What is the “ever-changing environment” that you believe the debenture system protects the HBG from? How does the debenture system specifically safeguard the club from it? And, why don’t other similar clubs, presumably in similar operating environments and facing similar challenges, use a debenture group?
5. Is debenture holder John Hardgrove correct when he says the debenture system has served its purpose but a new system is now needed?
6. Is it fair and reasonable that just 17 club debenture-holding members (at present) hold five of the seven positions on the board?
7. When will the external audit of the Wests Tigers review implementation process, which was reportedly blocked by HBG, be completed? Why was this blocked in the first place?

And, finally, we ask, how can fans and members have faith in the stability and effectiveness of your governance when almost half of your board is suspended?

The HBG preaches stability, unity, and progress in its statement. We now want to see actions, not just words.

Ends

I’m ready to hit them all with with a few cross body blocks!

Arriba!

 

[Telltails]

For god sake how can anyone support an elite sporting organisations governance system where husbands/ wives by association can use the system to advance and protect their positions of power
It needs to change if we are ever to reach out potential.

 

[Tigerdazz2]

Wests Tigers Unite

For ALL Wests Tigers Fans

Press Release

4th January 2025


Wests Tigers Unite Welcomes Probe Of Holman Barnes Group

Members of the Wests Tigers Unite group say they are relieved to hear reports that the office of NSW Liquor & Gaming has already commenced a probe into the Holman Barnes Group (HBG) governance.

Wests Tigers Unite has brought together leading Wests Tigers-focussed social media and podcast platforms to advocate primarily for two things, firstly, for the HBG to support and implement the full recommendations of a 2023 review into the Wests Tigers NRL club, and secondly, for the implementation of the review into the governance of the majority owners of the Wests Tigers, HBG.

The group has launched a petition calling for that review into the governance of the HBG and signatures now total over 1,300. In the coming weeks, Wests Tigers Unite intends to present this petition to the HBG, Liquor & Gaming NSW, and the NSW Minister for Liquor and Gaming, The Hon. David Harris, MP.

It is expected that the petition will add community and fan weight to that review.

Meanwhile, Wests Tigers Unite would like to respond to a statement released by the HBG yesterday, in which the HBG attempted to squash recent criticism of its reluctance to fully support the review recommendations, as well as concerns about the group’s debenture holder system.

Wests Tigers Unite says the statement, although heavy on words, was light on substance and has done nothing to quell their concerns. Namely, the group remains concerned that:

The statement gave no timeline as to when the full review recommendations would be implemented. Without a timeline and transparency, we find this to be of little comfort and is nothing more than words.

In particular, the statement gave no defined timeline for the implementation of the most important recommendations, the appointment of four independent directors to the Wests Tigers board, and the constitutional change needed at the Wests Tigers to allow this to happen. The review recommendations called for this process to be completed within six months, and is now seven months overdue. This means Wests Tigers continues to be hampered by a four-person interim board, including two non-elected HBG debenture holders.

Thus, we ask the HBG to confirm to Wests Tigers fans and members without delay what the timeline is to have these important recommendations adopted.

In regards to the debenture holder group at the HBG, Wests Tigers Unite believes it is now most likely a moot point as the state government authority investigates that function of governance at the HBG.

However, we would like to see the HBG answer these questions specifically:

1. What exactly is involved in the “rigorous screening process” that members are put through when they try to gain a debenture?
2. How does the HBG know that the debenture holders accurately reflect and represent a broad cross-section of their membership (around 27,500 people)?
3. Why doesn’t any other registered club in NSW (according to our research) have debentures?
4. What is the “ever-changing environment” that you believe the debenture system protects the HBG from? How does the debenture system specifically safeguard the club from it? And, why don’t other similar clubs, presumably in similar operating environments and facing similar challenges, use a debenture group?
5. Is debenture holder John Hardgrove correct when he says the debenture system has served its purpose but a new system is now needed?
6. Is it fair and reasonable that just 17 club debenture-holding members (at present) hold five of the seven positions on the board?
7. When will the external audit of the Wests Tigers review implementation process, which was reportedly blocked by HBG, be completed? Why was this blocked in the first place?

And, finally, we ask, how can fans and members have faith in the stability and effectiveness of your governance when almost half of your board is suspended?

The HBG preaches stability, unity, and progress in its statement. We now want to see actions, not just words.

Ends

*Applause 👏 👏 👏 👏

 

[liltiger]

I don’t know why people are so adamant that the review should be seen as gospel and be implemented in full.
The owners of the club may not agree with every recommendation made. They may wish to tweak some of them before employing them.
They may even have their own ideas….

Tucker you bring up a really good point here that actually confuses me a wee bit so I'm sure someone can clarify it for me, but who actually owns the Wests Tigers. I know HBG have a 90% share and Balmain a 10% Share. I understand the N.R.L issue the licences. The N.R.L tip in upwards of around 13 mil a year. HBG put money in but do the N.R.L actually own the Tigers as the licence owner. What happens if the N.R.L refuse to reissue the licence do the Wests Tigers cease to exist.
If HBG decided to just walk away one day would that be the end of the joint. Who actually owns the Wests Tigers.

 

[Tigerdazz2]

Wests Tigers Unite

For ALL Wests Tigers Fans

Press Release

4th January 2025


Wests Tigers Unite Welcomes Probe Of Holman Barnes Group

Members of the Wests Tigers Unite group say they are relieved to hear reports that the office of NSW Liquor & Gaming has already commenced a probe into the Holman Barnes Group (HBG) governance.

Wests Tigers Unite has brought together leading Wests Tigers-focussed social media and podcast platforms to advocate primarily for two things, firstly, for the HBG to support and implement the full recommendations of a 2023 review into the Wests Tigers NRL club, and secondly, for the implementation of the review into the governance of the majority owners of the Wests Tigers, HBG.

The group has launched a petition calling for that review into the governance of the HBG and signatures now total over 1,300. In the coming weeks, Wests Tigers Unite intends to present this petition to the HBG, Liquor & Gaming NSW, and the NSW Minister for Liquor and Gaming, The Hon. David Harris, MP.

It is expected that the petition will add community and fan weight to that review.

Meanwhile, Wests Tigers Unite would like to respond to a statement released by the HBG yesterday, in which the HBG attempted to squash recent criticism of its reluctance to fully support the review recommendations, as well as concerns about the group’s debenture holder system.

Wests Tigers Unite says the statement, although heavy on words, was light on substance and has done nothing to quell their concerns. Namely, the group remains concerned that:

The statement gave no timeline as to when the full review recommendations would be implemented. Without a timeline and transparency, we find this to be of little comfort and is nothing more than words.

In particular, the statement gave no defined timeline for the implementation of the most important recommendations, the appointment of four independent directors to the Wests Tigers board, and the constitutional change needed at the Wests Tigers to allow this to happen. The review recommendations called for this process to be completed within six months, and is now seven months overdue. This means Wests Tigers continues to be hampered by a four-person interim board, including two non-elected HBG debenture holders.

Thus, we ask the HBG to confirm to Wests Tigers fans and members without delay what the timeline is to have these important recommendations adopted.

In regards to the debenture holder group at the HBG, Wests Tigers Unite believes it is now most likely a moot point as the state government authority investigates that function of governance at the HBG.

However, we would like to see the HBG answer these questions specifically:

1. What exactly is involved in the “rigorous screening process” that members are put through when they try to gain a debenture?
2. How does the HBG know that the debenture holders accurately reflect and represent a broad cross-section of their membership (around 27,500 people)?
3. Why doesn’t any other registered club in NSW (according to our research) have debentures?
4. What is the “ever-changing environment” that you believe the debenture system protects the HBG from? How does the debenture system specifically safeguard the club from it? And, why don’t other similar clubs, presumably in similar operating environments and facing similar challenges, use a debenture group?
5. Is debenture holder John Hardgrove correct when he says the debenture system has served its purpose but a new system is now needed?
6. Is it fair and reasonable that just 17 club debenture-holding members (at present) hold five of the seven positions on the board?
7. When will the external audit of the Wests Tigers review implementation process, which was reportedly blocked by HBG, be completed? Why was this blocked in the first place?

And, finally, we ask, how can fans and members have faith in the stability and effectiveness of your governance when almost half of your board is suspended?

The HBG preaches stability, unity, and progress in its statement. We now want to see actions, not just words.

Ends

The HBG "FAb Four" must be starting to feel the heat, true rear guard action that statement was.

FAb standing for -censored- *effen abysmal.

 

[tigertragic]

Wests Tigers Unite

For ALL Wests Tigers Fans

Press Release

4th January 2025


Wests Tigers Unite Welcomes Probe Of Holman Barnes Group

Members of the Wests Tigers Unite group say they are relieved to hear reports that the office of NSW Liquor & Gaming has already commenced a probe into the Holman Barnes Group (HBG) governance.

Wests Tigers Unite has brought together leading Wests Tigers-focussed social media and podcast platforms to advocate primarily for two things, firstly, for the HBG to support and implement the full recommendations of a 2023 review into the Wests Tigers NRL club, and secondly, for the implementation of the review into the governance of the majority owners of the Wests Tigers, HBG.

The group has launched a petition calling for that review into the governance of the HBG and signatures now total over 1,300. In the coming weeks, Wests Tigers Unite intends to present this petition to the HBG, Liquor & Gaming NSW, and the NSW Minister for Liquor and Gaming, The Hon. David Harris, MP.

It is expected that the petition will add community and fan weight to that review.

Meanwhile, Wests Tigers Unite would like to respond to a statement released by the HBG yesterday, in which the HBG attempted to squash recent criticism of its reluctance to fully support the review recommendations, as well as concerns about the group’s debenture holder system.

Wests Tigers Unite says the statement, although heavy on words, was light on substance and has done nothing to quell their concerns. Namely, the group remains concerned that:

The statement gave no timeline as to when the full review recommendations would be implemented. Without a timeline and transparency, we find this to be of little comfort and is nothing more than words.

In particular, the statement gave no defined timeline for the implementation of the most important recommendations, the appointment of four independent directors to the Wests Tigers board, and the constitutional change needed at the Wests Tigers to allow this to happen. The review recommendations called for this process to be completed within six months, and is now seven months overdue. This means Wests Tigers continues to be hampered by a four-person interim board, including two non-elected HBG debenture holders.

Thus, we ask the HBG to confirm to Wests Tigers fans and members without delay what the timeline is to have these important recommendations adopted.

In regards to the debenture holder group at the HBG, Wests Tigers Unite believes it is now most likely a moot point as the state government authority investigates that function of governance at the HBG.

However, we would like to see the HBG answer these questions specifically:

1. What exactly is involved in the “rigorous screening process” that members are put through when they try to gain a debenture?
2. How does the HBG know that the debenture holders accurately reflect and represent a broad cross-section of their membership (around 27,500 people)?
3. Why doesn’t any other registered club in NSW (according to our research) have debentures?
4. What is the “ever-changing environment” that you believe the debenture system protects the HBG from? How does the debenture system specifically safeguard the club from it? And, why don’t other similar clubs, presumably in similar operating environments and facing similar challenges, use a debenture group?
5. Is debenture holder John Hardgrove correct when he says the debenture system has served its purpose but a new system is now needed?
6. Is it fair and reasonable that just 17 club debenture-holding members (at present) hold five of the seven positions on the board?
7. When will the external audit of the Wests Tigers review implementation process, which was reportedly blocked by HBG, be completed? Why was this blocked in the first place?

And, finally, we ask, how can fans and members have faith in the stability and effectiveness of your governance when almost half of your board is suspended?

The HBG preaches stability, unity, and progress in its statement. We now want to see actions, not just words.

Ends

HBG - quickly circle the wagons around our ivory tower we are under attack from free thinking democratic members/supporters.

 

[Littlebittipsy]

Wests Tigers Unite

For ALL Wests Tigers Fans

Press Release

4th January 2025


Wests Tigers Unite Welcomes Probe Of Holman Barnes Group

Members of the Wests Tigers Unite group say they are relieved to hear reports that the office of NSW Liquor & Gaming has already commenced a probe into the Holman Barnes Group (HBG) governance.

Wests Tigers Unite has brought together leading Wests Tigers-focussed social media and podcast platforms to advocate primarily for two things, firstly, for the HBG to support and implement the full recommendations of a 2023 review into the Wests Tigers NRL club, and secondly, for the implementation of the review into the governance of the majority owners of the Wests Tigers, HBG.

The group has launched a petition calling for that review into the governance of the HBG and signatures now total over 1,300. In the coming weeks, Wests Tigers Unite intends to present this petition to the HBG, Liquor & Gaming NSW, and the NSW Minister for Liquor and Gaming, The Hon. David Harris, MP.

It is expected that the petition will add community and fan weight to that review.

Meanwhile, Wests Tigers Unite would like to respond to a statement released by the HBG yesterday, in which the HBG attempted to squash recent criticism of its reluctance to fully support the review recommendations, as well as concerns about the group’s debenture holder system.

Wests Tigers Unite says the statement, although heavy on words, was light on substance and has done nothing to quell their concerns. Namely, the group remains concerned that:

The statement gave no timeline as to when the full review recommendations would be implemented. Without a timeline and transparency, we find this to be of little comfort and is nothing more than words.

In particular, the statement gave no defined timeline for the implementation of the most important recommendations, the appointment of four independent directors to the Wests Tigers board, and the constitutional change needed at the Wests Tigers to allow this to happen. The review recommendations called for this process to be completed within six months, and is now seven months overdue. This means Wests Tigers continues to be hampered by a four-person interim board, including two non-elected HBG debenture holders.

Thus, we ask the HBG to confirm to Wests Tigers fans and members without delay what the timeline is to have these important recommendations adopted.

In regards to the debenture holder group at the HBG, Wests Tigers Unite believes it is now most likely a moot point as the state government authority investigates that function of governance at the HBG.

However, we would like to see the HBG answer these questions specifically:

1. What exactly is involved in the “rigorous screening process” that members are put through when they try to gain a debenture?
2. How does the HBG know that the debenture holders accurately reflect and represent a broad cross-section of their membership (around 27,500 people)?
3. Why doesn’t any other registered club in NSW (according to our research) have debentures?
4. What is the “ever-changing environment” that you believe the debenture system protects the HBG from? How does the debenture system specifically safeguard the club from it? And, why don’t other similar clubs, presumably in similar operating environments and facing similar challenges, use a debenture group?
5. Is debenture holder John Hardgrove correct when he says the debenture system has served its purpose but a new system is now needed?
6. Is it fair and reasonable that just 17 club debenture-holding members (at present) hold five of the seven positions on the board?
7. When will the external audit of the Wests Tigers review implementation process, which was reportedly blocked by HBG, be completed? Why was this blocked in the first place?

And, finally, we ask, how can fans and members have faith in the stability and effectiveness of your governance when almost half of your board is suspended?

The HBG preaches stability, unity, and progress in its statement. We now want to see actions, not just words.

Ends

Great work. Can’t wait for their reply.

 

[tigertuff]

Wests Tigers Unite

For ALL Wests Tigers Fans

Press Release

4th January 2025


Wests Tigers Unite Welcomes Probe Of Holman Barnes Group

Members of the Wests Tigers Unite group say they are relieved to hear reports that the office of NSW Liquor & Gaming has already commenced a probe into the Holman Barnes Group (HBG) governance.

Wests Tigers Unite has brought together leading Wests Tigers-focussed social media and podcast platforms to advocate primarily for two things, firstly, for the HBG to support and implement the full recommendations of a 2023 review into the Wests Tigers NRL club, and secondly, for the implementation of the review into the governance of the majority owners of the Wests Tigers, HBG.

The group has launched a petition calling for that review into the governance of the HBG and signatures now total over 1,300. In the coming weeks, Wests Tigers Unite intends to present this petition to the HBG, Liquor & Gaming NSW, and the NSW Minister for Liquor and Gaming, The Hon. David Harris, MP.

It is expected that the petition will add community and fan weight to that review.

Meanwhile, Wests Tigers Unite would like to respond to a statement released by the HBG yesterday, in which the HBG attempted to squash recent criticism of its reluctance to fully support the review recommendations, as well as concerns about the group’s debenture holder system.

Wests Tigers Unite says the statement, although heavy on words, was light on substance and has done nothing to quell their concerns. Namely, the group remains concerned that:

The statement gave no timeline as to when the full review recommendations would be implemented. Without a timeline and transparency, we find this to be of little comfort and is nothing more than words.

In particular, the statement gave no defined timeline for the implementation of the most important recommendations, the appointment of four independent directors to the Wests Tigers board, and the constitutional change needed at the Wests Tigers to allow this to happen. The review recommendations called for this process to be completed within six months, and is now seven months overdue. This means Wests Tigers continues to be hampered by a four-person interim board, including two non-elected HBG debenture holders.

Thus, we ask the HBG to confirm to Wests Tigers fans and members without delay what the timeline is to have these important recommendations adopted.

In regards to the debenture holder group at the HBG, Wests Tigers Unite believes it is now most likely a moot point as the state government authority investigates that function of governance at the HBG.

However, we would like to see the HBG answer these questions specifically:

1. What exactly is involved in the “rigorous screening process” that members are put through when they try to gain a debenture?
2. How does the HBG know that the debenture holders accurately reflect and represent a broad cross-section of their membership (around 27,500 people)?
3. Why doesn’t any other registered club in NSW (according to our research) have debentures?
4. What is the “ever-changing environment” that you believe the debenture system protects the HBG from? How does the debenture system specifically safeguard the club from it? And, why don’t other similar clubs, presumably in similar operating environments and facing similar challenges, use a debenture group?
5. Is debenture holder John Hardgrove correct when he says the debenture system has served its purpose but a new system is now needed?
6. Is it fair and reasonable that just 17 club debenture-holding members (at present) hold five of the seven positions on the board?
7. When will the external audit of the Wests Tigers review implementation process, which was reportedly blocked by HBG, be completed? Why was this blocked in the first place?

And, finally, we ask, how can fans and members have faith in the stability and effectiveness of your governance when almost half of your board is suspended?

The HBG preaches stability, unity, and progress in its statement. We now want to see actions, not just words.

Ends

I tip my hat to Wests Tigers unite - love your work guys.

 

[Littlebittipsy]

Wests Tigers Unite

For ALL Wests Tigers Fans

Press Release

4th January 2025


Wests Tigers Unite Welcomes Probe Of Holman Barnes Group

Members of the Wests Tigers Unite group say they are relieved to hear reports that the office of NSW Liquor & Gaming has already commenced a probe into the Holman Barnes Group (HBG) governance.

Wests Tigers Unite has brought together leading Wests Tigers-focussed social media and podcast platforms to advocate primarily for two things, firstly, for the HBG to support and implement the full recommendations of a 2023 review into the Wests Tigers NRL club, and secondly, for the implementation of the review into the governance of the majority owners of the Wests Tigers, HBG.

The group has launched a petition calling for that review into the governance of the HBG and signatures now total over 1,300. In the coming weeks, Wests Tigers Unite intends to present this petition to the HBG, Liquor & Gaming NSW, and the NSW Minister for Liquor and Gaming, The Hon. David Harris, MP.

It is expected that the petition will add community and fan weight to that review.

Meanwhile, Wests Tigers Unite would like to respond to a statement released by the HBG yesterday, in which the HBG attempted to squash recent criticism of its reluctance to fully support the review recommendations, as well as concerns about the group’s debenture holder system.

Wests Tigers Unite says the statement, although heavy on words, was light on substance and has done nothing to quell their concerns. Namely, the group remains concerned that:

The statement gave no timeline as to when the full review recommendations would be implemented. Without a timeline and transparency, we find this to be of little comfort and is nothing more than words.

In particular, the statement gave no defined timeline for the implementation of the most important recommendations, the appointment of four independent directors to the Wests Tigers board, and the constitutional change needed at the Wests Tigers to allow this to happen. The review recommendations called for this process to be completed within six months, and is now seven months overdue. This means Wests Tigers continues to be hampered by a four-person interim board, including two non-elected HBG debenture holders.

Thus, we ask the HBG to confirm to Wests Tigers fans and members without delay what the timeline is to have these important recommendations adopted.

In regards to the debenture holder group at the HBG, Wests Tigers Unite believes it is now most likely a moot point as the state government authority investigates that function of governance at the HBG.

However, we would like to see the HBG answer these questions specifically:

1. What exactly is involved in the “rigorous screening process” that members are put through when they try to gain a debenture?
2. How does the HBG know that the debenture holders accurately reflect and represent a broad cross-section of their membership (around 27,500 people)?
3. Why doesn’t any other registered club in NSW (according to our research) have debentures?
4. What is the “ever-changing environment” that you believe the debenture system protects the HBG from? How does the debenture system specifically safeguard the club from it? And, why don’t other similar clubs, presumably in similar operating environments and facing similar challenges, use a debenture group?
5. Is debenture holder John Hardgrove correct when he says the debenture system has served its purpose but a new system is now needed?
6. Is it fair and reasonable that just 17 club debenture-holding members (at present) hold five of the seven positions on the board?
7. When will the external audit of the Wests Tigers review implementation process, which was reportedly blocked by HBG, be completed? Why was this blocked in the first place?

And, finally, we ask, how can fans and members have faith in the stability and effectiveness of your governance when almost half of your board is suspended?

The HBG preaches stability, unity, and progress in its statement. We now want to see actions, not just words.

Ends

I also just wanted to say how much I appreciate all the work yourself and the other guys are putting into this drive for change, especially this time of year when many are on leave relaxing with their feet up. WESTS TIGERS UNITE!!!!

 

[Iron Fist]

Rick can't even walk into a HBG licenced premises, Burgess, Romero and their two lackeys have barred him for 8 years.


Rick came on the Wests Tigers Life podcast to bring up the multiple issues at board level, risking his future with the club to tell the members & fans what's really going on. Romero, Burgess & Co were given an open invitation to state their case on the podcast (which is available to watch/listen to on YouTube) an invitation they have so far declined to take up.

I need to listen to this. Where's the link?

 

[Joel Helmes]

I need to listen to this. Where's the link?

Wests Tigers Unite Collaboration Pod | Wests Tigers Podcast & Forum

The Wests Tigers Podcast teamed up with colleagues from several other Wests Tigers pods, social media platforms, and supporter groups to say, “Enough is enough.” The issue we’ve all been fighting for under the ‘Wests [...]

weststigerspodcast.com.au

 

[hammertime]

Tucker you bring up a really good point here that actually confuses me a wee bit so I'm sure someone can clarify it for me, but who actually owns the Wests Tigers. I know HBG have a 90% share and Balmain a 10% Share. I understand the N.R.L issue the licences. The N.R.L tip in upwards of around 13 mil a year. HBG put money in but do the N.R.L actually own the Tigers as the licence owner. What happens if the N.R.L refuse to reissue the licence do the Wests Tigers cease to exist.
If HBG decided to just walk away one day would that be the end of the joint. Who actually owns the Wests Tigers.

The owners do (HBG + others) but it's only as valuable as it is with the first grade licence.

If the NRL withdraw that, then HBG still would own the badge, fund the pathways etc and collect sponsorship revenue, but it would definitely tip into being more of a liability. Which is the reason most leagues clubs exist - to fund community sport.