OFFICIAL Q&A Club discussion with Shaun Mielekamp

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ShaunMielekamp said:
Liltiger - I am doing this and agree that there are some systemic challenges at the club that is keeping us in this loop. I can guarantee you that I am currently looking into the issues as I see them and more importantly looking to focus on how to fix them. I'll be honest I don't have the answers right now but I'm am not going to stop until it is clear for everyone where we need to get to.

One of the biggest challenges is bringing all the fans together - it's actually one of the most significant rifts i have ever seen in a club and does have an impact on the entire organisation.

Is there ever a world where fans who are either Wests Tigers only, fans who are West Tigers and Wests Magpies fans and fans who are Wests Tigers and Balmain Tigers could all be in collective support of the club? I initially thought that the only way to achieve this was to win football games on the field - however there is a connection here between the two and when i see the younger generation of fans coming together and not caring if the jersey being worn next to them has a Pepper, Victor or Phillips brand on the front it gives me a lot of hope for the future.

Just a thought for one of the items we need to find a way to resolve if the club is ever going to truly move forward.
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Thanks for the response Shaun much appreciated, im in absolute agreement with you that the fan base must be united. Wests and Balmain no longer exist we are now the Wests Tigers, that is why im of the opinion that it should be of upmost importance for the club to promote uniformity throughout not just our organisatiin but our stake holders aswell. Is there a time you could ever see puerly Wests Tigers teams playing in various comps instead of the Western Suburbs and Balmain teams we have now. We really need to finally embrace who we are, not who we were. I think in bringing in Wests Tigers through all grades would go a massive way to achieving that. The vast majority of fans, myself included could care less about Western Suuburbs and Balmain. We are Wests Tigers supporters. Also any way you could look into accepting paypal for online membership fees, i live on the Gold Coast and dont have a credit card, it would make paying online for membership so much easier, if possible. Thanks again for your reply mate i know your copping it fron everyone at the moment, iv gained immense ammounts of respect for you as youve fronted to discuss it. Legendary effort. Be patient with us fans, its not you, its that we have heard all these tgings for 15 years and esp after what happened in the boardroom at the end of last year we are very skeptical, cynical and have had an absolute gutfull. Dont take it personally, we all want the same thing.
 
ShaunMielekamp said:
For example right now there is a huge focus of my energy and drive on the pathways structure and resources. The club must be set up to ensure that the talent coming through are properly developed in all areas, physically, mentally, technically and cultural. This must come from the coaches, the club must put more energy resources and expertise into our coaching development and curriculum. I will have plenty more to roll out publicly about the detail in this but as it is a work in progress I need to crack on in getting this right quickly without rushing it as well.
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That's amazing to hear but Id love more information about this. You don't have to divulge funding or confidential information but in your opinion how do the pathways look like in 5 years? Are we training the coaches and performance staff at every single level or do they just come in for training and game days do their job and leave?

Professional development has to start with the coaches, physios, trainers and sports scientists at every single level, before we can expect our athletes to be professional.

Any further info or plan will be much appreciated Shaun
 
I see Shaun is working with 4 boards , to me there is the first major issue , that’s just to many people and from 4 different sides really , Shaun should be dealing with HBG and the Wests Tigers board , Balmain and wests magpies need zero say now as the directors of HBG and wests tigers should be mak8ng decisions best for wests tigers , , If you try and apeeze 4 groups of people most likely pulling in different directions your asking for trouble , stupid way to do stuff this is already in a broken set up ..
 
ShaunMielekamp said:
Hi Chunk, I appreciate the constructive question.

What I can do is communicate and engage with all 4 boards to ensure that they have a full understanding of what the club is going through and how we are moving forward. It is important to note that there are 4 boards here and they all play their vital part so communication is integral.

I saw and experienced this first hand at Penrith Panthers when I worked there as the alignment between to the football club and the group leagues club was important.
What is best for HBG, Magpies, Balmain and Wests tigers is a well performing club on and off the field. The structure of Wests tigers and HBG that you compare to the Bulldogs is of course very different and unique, I am keen to find the most effective model that we have within the current structure - anything outside of that is out of my control and definitely not in my JD.

So how can I help stop the perceived portfolio approach by HBG? Primarily is through the strong communication of the clubs needs and strategy. This will enable to focus on the governance decisions made by the club and result in the best allocation of resources available (and requesting more as needed in the right areas). There is obviously a long way to go here but it is important aspect to call out.

The primary role of boards HBG included is governance and whilst this seems a simple notion it does appear that over the course of the history of the club this has not always been the case. At times it is clear to me that boards have become involved in the operations and daily decision making, whilst at other times the board have been totally left out and unaware of key big impact decisions or areas that needed better corporate governance and regulatory oversight - I will leave you guys to align which moment match which issues in our history.

It's obvious that what is best for Wests Tigers will also be best for HBG so it is important this is a clear focus both in the long and short term.

For example right now there is a huge focus of my energy and drive on the pathways structure and resources. The club must be set up to ensure that the talent coming through are properly developed in all areas, physically, mentally, technically and cultural. This must come from the coaches, the club must put more energy resources and expertise into our coaching development and curriculum. I will have plenty more to roll out publicly about the detail in this but as it is a work in progress I need to crack on in getting this right quickly without rushing it as well.

Whilst it is match day today I had a moment of time and clear head space to jump on quickly and answer a couple questions, I will try and get to the rest through the week ahead.

I'm not sure I'm ever going to appease anyone being critical of me being a "HBG puppet" - they are the board and I report to them, my conversations with them must remain confidential and they are. I can't see the value in spending time trying to prove anything here either way for anyone when what I need to be doing is focus on doing my job and improving this club's results.

I'm happy to have hard conversations and I am having those conversation, but I would rather be judged for my actions than any words that are said on forum's, podcasts or in the media.

by being on here I just want to make sure that members of this forum do know that I am listening and appreciate their time, effort and support for the club. you are some of the most if not the most loyal fans I have ever seen.

Hopefully i see plenty of you at the game today and will jump back on later this week to catch up on so many questions and posts
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Thank you so much for the response Shaun, I have faith that you will do the best job possible and I'll be at the game today cheering the Tigers on. Thanks again
 
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SM said
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One of the biggest challenges is bringing all the fans together - it's actually one of the most significant rifts i have ever seen in a club and does have an impact on the entire organisation.
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Tell us about it Shaun
If its not the grounds, its the logos, the districts, the crowd numbers, the jerseys, the histories, even our name
Some families would break up after 27 years of these ongoing melodramas....how some of us are still here after all this time its got me beat....but amazed.
If we could channel some of the supporters longevity, desire, persistence and perserverance we'd be unbeatable
 
ShaunMielekamp said:
It was just the one that I saw first - sorry i will try and get to them all.
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Ok Shawn, thanks for coming on board with the fans, assume there will be a full review at seasons end, especially on the coaching team. Without divulging too much, and assuming they have KPIs, how are they tracking ( general question).
My rationale is that nothing seems to change in game plans etc. Being a nearly 70 year follower of the Tigers I always thought that if something is not working, you try something different.( I won’t bore you with the insanity thing).
Now we’ve all heard the Benji spin that
“ we trained really well” and “that is not who we are” and yet they serve up the same thing( aka mediocrity)
week after week. Can you please explain
exactly “ what we are” and what they’re doing different to get us there.
The frustration levels on this sight are off the charts, and whilst we are armchair critics, plenty of us have played, coached and watched footy for yonks, and kinda have a good idea of what we need to do.
Why the hell can’t our coaches and players gel on that !
Look forward to hearing from you.
HB61
 
ShaunMielekamp said:
Liltiger - I am doing this and agree that there are some systemic challenges at the club that is keeping us in this loop. I can guarantee you that I am currently looking into the issues as I see them and more importantly looking to focus on how to fix them. I'll be honest I don't have the answers right now but I'm am not going to stop until it is clear for everyone where we need to get to.

One of the biggest challenges is bringing all the fans together - it's actually one of the most significant rifts i have ever seen in a club and does have an impact on the entire organisation.

Is there ever a world where fans who are either Wests Tigers only, fans who are West Tigers and Wests Magpies fans and fans who are Wests Tigers and Balmain Tigers could all be in collective support of the club? I initially thought that the only way to achieve this was to win football games on the field - however there is a connection here between the two and when i see the younger generation of fans coming together and not caring if the jersey being worn next to them has a Pepper, Victor or Phillips brand on the front it gives me a lot of hope for the future.

Just a thought for one of the items we need to find a way to resolve if the club is ever going to truly move forward.
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Hi Liltiger, unfortunately for you and many others on this forum, you do not speak for all Wests Tigers supporters. You are certainly entitled to your opinions, which you have given in terms of uniformity throughout the joint venture.

However, I believe that stating “The vast majority of fans, myself included, could care less about Western Suburbs and Balmain” (I think you meant couldn’t) is incorrect, and that many Wests Tigers supporters still have links to both joint-venture clubs. It should be remembered this is a joint venture between Western Suburbs and Balmain, not a new single entity.

I think Shaun was alluding to the 3 club supporter groups coming together as one, not continually sniping at each other.
 
Thanks Shaun
Youve got a ridiculously challenging job,but youve done it before so we have faith,whilst understanding the nuances of the various competing influences you have to confront every day.
Not easy.
The supposed "division" amongst supporters is not really the biggest issue(apart from within the Boardroom!!)... its simply an overt expression of our ongoing frustration with the lack of success of the combined club despite what appears to be huge advantages which we never seem to be able to leverage
achievement and success always unites everybody,and the sentiment from many on this forum is that the actions of both the Board and the coaching staff seem quite often contrary to actually achieving success
Crazy I know,but thats what it looks like from outside
 
Hi Shaun,
To be fair any division within the fan base has been perpetuated by historical dysfunction.at board level.
If the board were all pulling in the same direction the fans would have no reason to take sides.
The board has a history of factional infighting that has created a sense that personal agendas, and self interest by those in privileged positions on the back of an antiquated election process, take precedent ahead of what is needed to run a successful sporting organisation.

With due respect the management is responsible wholly and solely for our lowly position in a professional sporting competition and until they own that, make change, you should be more concerned about holding on to fans, rather than trying to bring them together.

Good luck with membership sales I think that will be your next biggest challenge.
 
Please guys I am not blaming the fans at all - it is exactly the opposite, that not what I said at all and very apologetic if something I wrote could be interpreted this way. I am trying to find a way despite everything that has happened to bring fans together as I know it is part of the solution. My question was is this possible? I believe it is.

There is no way at all this is the fans and members fault - absolutely was not what i was trying to say.

The best part of the club is the loyal fans and the strength in numbers is what I gives me great hope that there is a way through this.
 
ShaunMielekamp said:
Please guys I am not blaming the fans at all - it is exactly the opposite. I am trying to find a way despite everything that has happened to bring fans together as I know it is part of the solution.

There is no way at all this is the fans and members fault - absolutely was not what i was trying to say.
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Hi Shaun,

The fans are more united than any other club's. We all want success, and we all suffer together every year through false hope and unfulfilled promises.

The club's owners are the ones who aren't united.
 
More than 1300.registered clubs in NSW Shaun and only one operates under a debenture system

There is no accountability with HB, they took.away what seemed to be working for their own gain.

We had their members over summer abusing fans online and telling them to support another team

"If you cant acknowledge the history of our club since 1908, then f**k off and go support someone else" Allan Fallah 13/12/25
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And as telltails above correctly points out the division has been perpetuated by this board for years

“The only contention that regularly arises is the fact Wests Magpies have never been respected in the joint venture and always tainted as the bad guys. An opportunity to discuss a fairer representation would go a long way in ending 25 years of war.” Leo Epifania 12/12/25
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Many many fans believe HB do not have WTs best interests at heart, nothing theyve done supports this...the mistrust is off the charts.
The fans members and supporters hurt while HB sit at Ashfield sipping free middies.

And I might add this has been an ongoing thing with Wests Ashfield since the 70s

Good luck next year, it will be nothing like youve seen yet
 
Hi Shaun,
Playing a home game at Parramatta against Parramatta should never happen again nor should we have played StGeorge at a neutral stadium - it makes us a mockery.
Three wins at Leichardt this year - packed out- that's a message from the fans, and a response from the team.
Do we want to win games with a true home ground advantage or do we disregard that because it might be considered favouring one side of our past more than the other - despite that it is positive for the here and now.
There is a difference in acknowledging/ respecting the past to preserving it. Home ground games are seen as an advantage for every club.
Yet we get the token 3 games once the ground is improved - equal to if not better than the suburban home grounds good enough for other Sydney based teams who value a true home ground advantage.
It makes no sense not to utilize it. It fosters connection and gives the team an advantage. If you want to bring fans together get fair dinkum about the impact of home grounds on the fanbase..
 
Pringle Gold said:
You quite literally said:

“One of the biggest challenges is bringing all the fans together - it's actually one of the most significant rifts i have ever seen in a club and does have an impact on the entire organisation.”

You’re just being obtuse now and cowardly. You don’t even have the conviction to stand behind your own words.
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Being apologetic and honest is not being cowardly

Is it a challenge to bring the fans together - yes?
Is it a big rift? yes
Does it impact the organisation? yes
Are the fans to blame? absolutely not

Did I choose my words wrong - probably

I agree that the causes are deep seeded and longstanding - not the fault of the fans

If we don't have the hard conversations then how are we ever going to fix them - this is an approach I am taking across the entire club at all levels. I am going to get back to working hard now and I'll jump back on again in a few weeks.
 
@ShaunMielekamp, long time lurker, first time poster. I want to drill down on some recent staffing choices within the football department.

1: Is there currently a Head of Football or General Manager position? If not, why? We have a coach with minimal experience and respectfully, a CEO with limited history in rugby league administration. (I know you were at Penrith and Souths before the Mariners but they were not football-side roles).

2: What is Pat Richards current position and what part of his past experience made him the best candidate for the role? Did you interview anyone else for this role or was this an internal hire?

3: What is the contract status for our Assistant Coaches? Do they operate on a year-to-year status or do they sign for multiple season with potential payouts if they are removed from that position?
 
snopez said:
@ShaunMielekamp, long time lurker, first time poster. I want to drill down on some recent staffing choices within the football department.

1: Is there currently a Head of Football or General Manager position? If not, why? We have a coach with minimal experience and respectfully, a CEO with limited history in rugby league administration. (I know you were at Penrith and Souths before the Mariners but they were not football-side roles).

2: What is Pat Richards current position and what part of his past experience made him the best candidate for the role? Did you interview anyone else for this role or was this an internal hire?

3: What is the contract status for our Assistant Coaches? Do they operate on a year-to-year status or do they sign for multiple season with potential payouts if they are removed from that position?
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1. No.
Shaun Mielekamp is the General Manager of Football for the Wests Tigers

2. Senior Manager NRL: Works closely with head coach Benji Marshall and first-team squad members.

3.
1000017178.jpg
 
ShaunMielekamp said:
Being apologetic and honest is not being cowardly

Is it a challenge to bring the fans together - yes?
Is it a big rift? yes
Does it impact the organisation? yes
Are the fans to blame? absolutely not

Did I choose my words wrong - probably

I agree that the causes are deep seeded and longstanding - not the fault of the fans

If we don't have the hard conversations then how are we ever going to fix them - this is an approach I am taking across the entire club at all levels. I am going to get back to working hard now and I'll jump back on again in a few weeks.
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Good luck Shaun, I hope you succeed.
I was closing in on ten years of membership for this season, I was looking forward to saying “ I’ve been a member of my club for 10 years”. But our membership team botched up the auto renewal, (seriously that is free money?), anyway, that made me think what’s the point, the club couldn’t even care enough to “take my money!”, so why should I?
So for the second time in the last 20 years I’m a non-member, and to go with that I’ve bought no merch, gone to no games and now half the time I don’t even bother watching the game. It’s in my blood so I will always have an eye on the Tigers, but how are we bringing in new fans, there is nothing about this club that a young fan wants to support, even ones born into it are resisting.

BTW, I was not offended by anything you posted, but you got a fan base that’s got open wounds.

May the footy gods be with you.

T4L
 
Hi Shaun
if we talk about united fan base we have HBG who at the start of the year the "Home" jersey was the orange one and the white the away. We then get fed this rubbish that it is not the casr and the club "chooses" which jersey they wear for each game, yet on roar store and rebel and peter wynns it is clear home jersey is orange away is white.
HBG has a fit about the orange jersey so it never gets worn. The jersey practically walks off the shelves however in HBG wisdom they decide not to play in it.

Then we get on to the club home games, tigers are set to play 7 at campbletown when redeveloped, and only 3 at LO and probably one at magic round.

The club has effectively sold itself to campbletown council to get a redevelopment done for 7 games yet Leichardt oval sells out for the three games.

1. How water tight is the agreement with the council to play 7 games at Campbelltown?

2. Can the club at any point elect to go to a scenario of
5 LO
6 Campbelltown
1 magic round

3. Is it true wests tigers jerseys next year will be getting
Magpies Heritage Jersey ?
Balmain Heritage jersey ?

4. Will the club look at Wests Tigers in all grades ?
 
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