CEO - Shane Richardson

[old_man_tiger]

Thanks to @tig_prmz for asking the questions about the broncos, which got me looking for our financials and if you read the HBG report carefully you can figure out two things:
1. WT are so far off being competitive with a "big" club financially it ain't funny. Broncos revenue is more than double ours. If you exclude the grants it is around 4x more.
2. HBG has 52mil of non WT revenue. 46m from pokies. The conclusion I draw from that is that they don't seem to have any idea how to use money to make money, but I don't much about clubs. I assume if you could bank millions year on year you.could find some way of generating returns through investment?

 

[TSP]

For the most part I think people are just expressing their viewpoint. A lot of people here are interested in the club’s governance and management and how that impacts the success of the club as a whole. I get it, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but your comments prompted a lot of interesting discussion.

Yes, I’ve really liked his argument.

Everything within the forum rules should be up for discussion.

I’m sure Richo says and does things he later regrets …as we all do.

As much as he makes good and wise calls from time to time.

The cut and thrust of life.

 

[tig_prmz]

I wasn't having a go, just pointing out that I think the club agrees with you in that regard as those are all strategic directions and the strategic plan.

I haven't read everything on here, what is the strategic plan? How much of it has been implemented?

Let's say it is given that we spend the lowest on football operations in the NRL.

The HBG have money but don't want to spend it on WT. It's their money, they can decide what they want to do with it.

But if they don't want to put more money in, we simply won't win. We may win junior comps simply because we have a big nursery to choose from.

They obviously wouldn't want to sell the license to another group because again Wests Tigers don't make much money.

Richos plan or Wests Tigers plan is that we need to show profitability to get HBG to put more money into us. But, whether it be generating revenue or winning games, with where this entire club is from top to bottom, none of that happens until we put money into better people, better systems and better facilities for all grades. Laurie Daley cup, Andrew johns, Jersey flegg etc.. they all must be severely underfunded as we have teams in all competitions unlike some other nrl clubs.

I must be very naive because first I thought we were a shit team because we had shit players, then I thought it was shit coach, shit CEO, then shit Board etc etc.. in fact we are shit because we put no $$$ into the club.

We make fun of Anasta for his comment, but these hit hard now "You'd only have a certain amount of Gatorade. You're talking about a team that trains three to four hours a day that has limits to their recovery. "A few times they didn't pay the bill for strapping tape. Which is just a necessity. Guys scavenging for tape to try and tape themselves up before a training session. "This was in 2013, it was bizarre. It was a dark place I don't know how anyone could be expected to play their best and that showed for a long period of time. "Pottsy (coach Mick Potter) did as much as he could, even he had his hands tied, because as I said, the joint was a debacle"

I'm sure things are not that bad anymore, we have improved but so have all other clubs. If it's not strapping tape anymore, it might be access to ice baths, cryo chambers, anti G machine etc.

We need people who truly believe that putting $$$ into the Club and getting them to win will give us profitability later, not the other way around.

Right now, HBG / WT board is in cruise control. They don't care if we keep losing because the grant will keep coming, license will keep getting renewed and they can use the media exposure to increase their own revenue.

 

[clontarfkid]

I think he talks the talk for a positive perception about the club, it's important, it flows on throughout the organisation and the football world.

And part of that perception is that HBG has employed the right bloke to turn things around.

And before HBG invests more, Richo needs to show that the other revenue streams are contributing more, such as membership, sponsorship, game day and so on.

HBG doesn't want to be throwing money into nothingness. I think this might be what he means about shareholders agreement, these shareholders want to see progress.

That's Richo's responsibility and it seems he is doing that.

Great asset for us

 

[weststigers]

Yes I expect you are right.

I was measured in my hypothetical alternative utterance. I thought about the sensitivities.

Hand on heart, I think Galvo and the people around him has/have made a big mistake.

He had the good running with us on many levels, especially in relation to his development as a footballer.

Wholly ironic that he used this as an excuse to take flight.

At that point I concluded he was “ taking the piss” as the expression goes.

Now the dust has settled and Fainu has had time in the halves, I think it worked out brilliantly for us in the end.

Even Braith and Reni were saying he (Galvin) should be punted to reserves for the rest of the season because he crabs across field too much.

 

[BAGNF05]

I haven't read everything on here, what is the strategic plan? How much of it has been implemented?

Let's say it is given that we spend the lowest on football operations in the NRL.

The HBG have money but don't want to spend it on WT. It's their money, they can decide what they want to do with it.

But if they don't want to put more money in, we simply won't win. We may win junior comps simply because we have a big nursery to choose from.

They obviously wouldn't want to sell the license to another group because again Wests Tigers don't make much money.

Richos plan or Wests Tigers plan is that we need to show profitability to get HBG to put more money into us. But, whether it be generating revenue or winning games, with where this entire club is from top to bottom, none of that happens until we put money into better people, better systems and better facilities for all grades. Laurie Daley cup, Andrew johns, Jersey flegg etc.. they all must be severely underfunded as we have teams in all competitions unlike some other nrl clubs.

I must be very naive because first I thought we were a shit team because we had shit players, then I thought it was shit coach, shit CEO, then shit Board etc etc.. in fact we are shit because we put no $$$ into the club.

We make fun of Anasta for his comment, but these hit hard now "You'd only have a certain amount of Gatorade. You're talking about a team that trains three to four hours a day that has limits to their recovery. "A few times they didn't pay the bill for strapping tape. Which is just a necessity. Guys scavenging for tape to try and tape themselves up before a training session. "This was in 2013, it was bizarre. It was a dark place I don't know how anyone could be expected to play their best and that showed for a long period of time. "Pottsy (coach Mick Potter) did as much as he could, even he had his hands tied, because as I said, the joint was a debacle"

I'm sure things are not that bad anymore, we have improved but so have all other clubs. If it's not strapping tape anymore, it might be access to ice baths, cryo chambers, anti G machine etc.

We need people who truly believe that putting $$$ into the Club and getting them to win will give us profitability later, not the other way around.

Right now, HBG / WT board is in cruise control. They don't care if we keep losing because the grant will keep coming, license will keep getting renewed and they can use the media exposure to increase their own revenue.

A little harsh considering the sweeping changes they agreed to implement 18 months ago. I think we need to allow the independent Board and Richo the time to implement their master plan before we assume they’re as bad as those who came before them. Pumping tonnes of money into something that’s failed for 15 years would be pretty reckless and probably a hard sell to HBG members.

 

[TSP]

Now the dust has settled and Fainu has had time in the halves, I think it worked out brilliantly for us in the end.

Even Braith and Reni were saying he (Galvin) should be punted to reserves for the rest of the season because he crabs across field too much.

Yes, Latu’s increasing mastery of the halves is a genuine expression of the effectiveness of the coaching staff and his colleagues, driving another nail into the coffin of Galvin’s professional complaint.

Memory serves, quite a few of the panel here predicted this outcome although residual concerns existed about his ongoing health and need to stay injury free..

A few hardy souls even ventured his primacy over Galvin and were fearful that we may lose him.

It seems to be working out, a blessing in disguise.

 

[innsaneink]

I haven't read everything on here, what is the strategic plan? How much of it has been implemented?

Let's say it is given that we spend the lowest on football operations in the NRL.

The HBG have money but don't want to spend it on WT. It's their money, they can decide what they want to do with it.

But if they don't want to put more money in, we simply won't win. We may win junior comps simply because we have a big nursery to choose from.

They obviously wouldn't want to sell the license to another group because again Wests Tigers don't make much money.

Richos plan or Wests Tigers plan is that we need to show profitability to get HBG to put more money into us. But, whether it be generating revenue or winning games, with where this entire club is from top to bottom, none of that happens until we put money into better people, better systems and better facilities for all grades. Laurie Daley cup, Andrew johns, Jersey flegg etc.. they all must be severely underfunded as we have teams in all competitions unlike some other nrl clubs.

I must be very naive because first I thought we were a shit team because we had shit players, then I thought it was shit coach, shit CEO, then shit Board etc etc.. in fact we are shit because we put no $$$ into the club.

We make fun of Anasta for his comment, but these hit hard now "You'd only have a certain amount of Gatorade. You're talking about a team that trains three to four hours a day that has limits to their recovery. "A few times they didn't pay the bill for strapping tape. Which is just a necessity. Guys scavenging for tape to try and tape themselves up before a training session. "This was in 2013, it was bizarre. It was a dark place I don't know how anyone could be expected to play their best and that showed for a long period of time. "Pottsy (coach Mick Potter) did as much as he could, even he had his hands tied, because as I said, the joint was a debacle"

I'm sure things are not that bad anymore, we have improved but so have all other clubs. If it's not strapping tape anymore, it might be access to ice baths, cryo chambers, anti G machine etc.

We need people who truly believe that putting $$$ into the Club and getting them to win will give us profitability later, not the other way around.

Right now, HBG / WT board is in cruise control. They don't care if we keep losing because the grant will keep coming, license will keep getting renewed and they can use the media exposure to increase their own revenue.

Great post....
Ive noticed pre game in the sheds recently a coue of times..the cameras sometimes catch what looks like retail sized jars and bottles of INC, Musashi etc supplements, protein, pre workout ...energy gels etc....looks like someone does a run to chemist warehouse game day morning.
Maybe we cant afford to get wholesale

 

[tig_prmz]

A little harsh considering the sweeping changes they agreed to implement 18 months ago. I think we need to allow the independent Board and Richo the time to implement their master plan before we assume they’re as bad as those who came before them. Pumping tonnes of money into something that’s failed for 15 years would be pretty reckless and probably a hard sell to HBG members.

But it's failed because money hasn't been put into it in the first place. What happened 18 months ago? They just changed names.

If you're at the bottom, you need even more help right?

 

[BAGNF05]

But it's failed because money hasn't been put into it in the first place. What happened 18 months ago? They just changed names.

If you're at the bottom, you need even more help right?

18 months ago we sent the clowns back to the circus. Of course we need more money, there’s more ways to get it than just asking the owners to fork it out though.

Stadium strategy, sponsorship, corporate revenues, membership, government partnerships, etc etc

The wheels are in motion from what I can tell.

 

[Jolls]

Very interesting, Richo is doing his job to sell this well but I share your concerns about likely underinvestment in football.

It's impossible to know without access to the books but the two sides to this are you can't win without spending money and you can't spend money you don't have. We have a long way to go unfortunately.

I think the issue he is @poopy_diaper is getting at is HBG, as the owners, shoudl be pouring profit into the club to get us off the bottom. It shouldn't be up to Richo to make money - he should be setting up the governance to make sure every cent goes towards winning the competition.

If HBG aren't invested in us winning the GF what is the purpose of owning us?

 

[Tom Shines]

I think the issue he is @poopy_diaper is getting at is HBG, as the owners, shoudl be pouring profit into the club to get us off the bottom. It shouldn't be up to Richo to make money - he should be setting up the governance to make sure every cent goes towards winning the competition.

If HBG aren't invested in us winning the GF what is the purpose of owning us?

The problem is that HBG is a smaller leagues club than the likes of Penrith, Parramatta and Canterbury..

I’m not defending them , and would like to see them put more into the football club, but they probably can’t really compete on a level playing field ..

 

[Jolls]

The problem is that HBG is a smaller leagues club than the likes of Penrith, Parramatta and Canterbury..

I’m not defending them , and would like to see them put more into the football club, but they probably can’t really compete on a level playing field ..

That is what it is and nothing we can do to change it until more revenue is generated from the Wests Tigers - Balmain. Given HBG is a not for profit the $ should be fed into WT to enable us to compete on as even a playing table as we can buy. The problem as I see it is HBG is more focussed on making the clubs work than the footy. If they have imposed a self funding overhead on the WT Board - we are really fighting with one hand tied behind our back.

 

[TSP]

The problem is that HBG is a smaller leagues club than the likes of Penrith, Parramatta and Canterbury..

I’m not defending them , and would like to see them put more into the football club, but they probably can’t really compete on a level playing field ..

The right people can do anything Tom.

That’s our foremost need.

I’m not talking about replacing Richo, but we need the brains trust to procure funds and invest wisely.

And we need to spend it to build and stay a competitive club.

And I don’t think gambling revenue is or should be a forever proposition.

 

[Tom Shines]

The right people can do anything Tom.

That’s our foremost need.

I’m not talking about replacing Richo, but we need the brains trust to procure funds and invest wisely.

And we need to spend it to build and stay a competitive club.

I’ll believe it when it happens mate … Ive followed them too long and had the “hoping for the best “ beaten out of me …

 

[426Tlgerland]

I hope we don’t walk away from Cambo , I get what Richo is saying about corporate, but leaving Cambo to me opens the door to others to start pushing into the area ( Dogs - Eels - ) Roosters even

 

[Tom Shines]

I hope we don’t walk away from Cambo , I get what Richo is saying about corporate, but leaving Cambo to me opens the door to others to start pushing into the area ( Dogs - Eels - ) Roosters even

I’ll be interested to see what happens with Cambo

I don’t see another team “pushing in “…if that means playing games there… they will have the same issues to deal with as what Richo is talking about …

If you are talking about going after juniors … that’s probably happening anyway …

I kinda hope that they keep a couple of games there to be frank … even if it is a loss making exercise

 

[tig_prmz]

18 months ago we sent the clowns back to the circus. Of course we need more money, there’s more ways to get it than just asking the owners to fork it out though.

Stadium strategy, sponsorship, corporate revenues, membership, government partnerships, etc etc

The wheels are in motion from what I can tell.

We've been working towards increasing revenue for a while, and again, if the owners are waiting to increase revenue before putting more money in, it's not going to happen.

The Campbelltown stadium strategy makes no sense. We are barely getting 10k there and you want upgrades there? No way. And even with upgrades, how is that going to increase WT revenue.

Govt partnerships are for communcal facilities and we've already got the CoE.

Sponsorships and corporate revenues will come slowly over a long period of time.

All of this has been in motion for ages, but hasn't yielded results.

I'm not saying the owners need to fork out more money because they've had plenty of time to do so and haven't. Their answer to success has been to keep changing people, not to invest more.

The owners are answerable to the $$ and NRL clubs are not profitable. Even if Richo goes and gets another million dollars in revenue, they're just going to put it in the profits, they're not going to invest much of it back in the Wests Tigers. Remember a few years ago when we were one of the very few profitable clubs?

The issue here is that $$ is dictating their decisions and not excellence. The winning Clubs chase excellence and then the money follows. We are an unprofessional club because we don't chase excellence, high performance or the elite win at all costs attitude.

 

[Tom Shines]

The Campbelltown stadium strategy makes no sense. We are barely getting 10k there and you want upgrades there? No way. And even with upgrades, how is that going to increase WT revenue.

He wants the area for corporates increased…more corporates increases their game day revenue

 

[tig_prmz]

He wants the area for corporates increased…more corporates increases their game day revenue

Fair enough, and out of curiosity, the upgrades haven't been approved yet and let's say sometime in the next year or so they get approved and another few years go by for us to increase our revenue.

It is a long term strategy, but how is helping our current issues?