OFFICIAL Club discussion with Shaun Mielekamp

[upthetigers]

Shaun (welcome to the forum) I am interested to know if we employ sports psychologists?

In recent years I am wondering why we start the season well but then pile on consecutive losses after losing our mojo, is this a mindset issue we need to address?

 

[426Tlgerland]

That's essentially what we are building towards. in 2029 when the grounds are both completed their renovations the plan is for 7-8 games Campbelltown, 3-4 games Leichhardt and 1 major events match ie: Easter Monday.

Why would we not split both Leichhardt and Cambo even , Leichhardt deserves at least half , and we have better results there and better crowds

 

[ShaunMielekamp]

You said you have thick skin. Bring back Richo, he was the best thing to happen to the club and HBG sacked him. Congratulations on getting the job i have never been a CEO or will be and a lot of hard work must of gone into it. But for me, Shaun you seem like a yes man for HBG. No fans will be happy with our current state, another PR disaster to another. Worrying about fans? Win games and we will be happy. Maybe Benji needs more help, i think we have scored 4 tries in 3 weeks.

How much is the club contributing this year and next for Luai?

When will Latu and Samuela be extended?

Why cant we win games at Campbelltown? Leichhardt the last 2 years i think its 5/6 wins. We need a proper home ground advantage.

When will we make finals again? I am telling my 3 kids to choose their own team, don’t support the club who has made finals 3/26 years. I am a member and will continue but we are the laughing stock of Australian sports, mates feel sorry for us.

Good luck, prove me wrong. I would take coming 8th. With 3 new clubs coming and going to another rebuild who knows if we will get there again!

I appreciate the feedback that you feel like I am a HBG yes man. I can't hide from the fact that HBG own the club and they made the decision to appoint me as CEO. Of course Richo is one of my mentors and taught me a lot - it's worth clarifying that he did resign and wasn't sacked. Richo has never been sacked in his life and I know that is something that he is proud of.

I can only let my actions over time answer the question if you feel like I am a HBG "yes man" - my goal is to run the club as best as I can with the resources I have and can generate.

As I said in my post player discussions such a Luai payment and contract negotiations aren't for me to discuss here on the forum.

Campbelltown is going to take a lot of work to turn the win ratio around. Interesting i was talking the Dolphins CEO yesterday and his take was that when you have a big home ground advantage at one venue it actually causes the problem at the other venue. He was referring to their poor record at Kayo stadium.

As a member I'm more than happy to arrange a catch up coffee or a phone call one day, if you would like.

 

[weststigers]

That's essentially what we are building towards. in 2029 when the grounds are both completed their renovations the plan is for 7-8 games Campbelltown, 3-4 games Leichhardt and 1 major events match ie: Easter Monday.

8 Games at Cambelltown is incredibly disappointing.

 

[watersider]

@ShaunMielekamp Appreciate you joining this forum. We get everything 100% right in hindsight here so you've come to the right place.

On a minor matter, at home games the club now puts advertising up rather than show replays of away team tries. This is really annoying and often means video ref decisions aren't seen. I like to watch the replays to better see where they targeted our defense and so replays are valuable in my understanding of how the game is playing out. I also want to be outraged because of terrible refereeing decisions and I can't see this with no replays.

Why is the club not showing replays?

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

8 Games at Cambelltown is incredibly disappointing.

Those 4 games at Leichardt will be absolutely packed

 

[weststigers]

Those 4 games at Leichardt will be absolutely packed

Did you know the last 10 have been sell-outs? It's always packed.

Absolute disgrace what the club is doing.

 

[ShaunMielekamp]

Well, if you are really the legit Shaun Mielekamp why is there no real investment shown by the majority owners in Junior Development compared to other clubs like Parramatta, Penrith, Newcastle, Roosters??

I agree with you more money is needed- I'm passionate about this needs to be improved. I can't answer why it hasn't happened in the past but I can answer why it should happen and confirm this is a conversation i am having with all four boards, I need to present a clear and concise plan for investment - there is a lot to be done here and this is the real key to our long term future success.

 

[Blooey]

Hi Shaun, welcome 🙂

Two questions:

1. Does Benji choose the teams by himself each week, or is it a group effort? If so who?

2. Are we looking at expanding the coaching staff at all? A lot of the forum would agree that Benji needs a little more support while he's learning to coach. not that he's doing poorly, but I think a veteran could be very helpful. Ideally Bennet 😂

 

[426Tlgerland]

* Leo Epifania.

Just a typo I'm sure.

How many from western suburbs magpies board in that lot

 

[ShaunMielekamp]

I have to say that among many good decisions this is the worst decision you've made so far.
Reading the negative rubbish that populates this forum will do your head in.

Please reconsider.

I appreciate the advise. Will see how it plays out, I'm optimistic that someone will appreciate it at least.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Did you know the last 10 have been sell-outs? It's always packed.

Absolute disgrace what the club is doing.

unfortunately to recieve the upgrade at Campbelltown they had to guarantee 7-8 games at Campbelltown
Dissapointing i agree

 

[watersider]

8 Games at Cambelltown is incredibly disappointing.

No, that's how it must be. I love Leichhardt and live near there and was a balmain fan but Campbelltown is our future because that is where the juniors and people are. Hopefully the renovation improves the atmosphere, it will need more funding and improvement in future to make it a better atmosphere.

 

[426Tlgerland]

I agree with you more money is needed- I'm passionate about this needs to be improved. I can't answer why it hasn't happened in the past but I can answer why it should happen and confirm this is a conversation i am having with all four boards, I need to present a clear and concise plan for investment - there is a lot to be done here and this is the real key to our long term future success.

4 boards , that should tell us a lot of what your up against , geez dealing with 4 boards instead of one maybe 2 , Wests Tigers need to make the decisions and Ashfield should support it ,

 

[ShaunMielekamp]

There’s value to it, @ShaunMielekamp what is the main aim out of this thread? Feedback on what exactly because you said you can’t discuss certain common topics with us such as footy and recruitment, two key areas of this forum.

There is plenty that I can answer but the main point is that everyone on here will at least know that the club has heard their feedback. Footy and recruitment discussions shouldn't change in other threads but I wanted to be upfront on that. As an example being able to confirm the board members and stadium strategy is at least a way i can ensure that the facts are being discussed and not rumours on some topics. Of course there will be people who love or hate the decisions and knowing that this is being seen is probably the main point of the thread.

 

[innsaneink]

Welcome Shaun,
When can we expect to see some definitive plans and images for the upgrades at both CSS.and LO?
Theres been varying images.and ideas put forth but they seem to be 'artists impressions'
And will the new seating/stand at the Iron Cove end of LO be undercover, have a roof?

Alao can you confirm our reserve grade coach is operating in a part time capacity

Thanks

 

[balmain boy]

Welcome Shaun.

Good luck with your job and with the forum

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Congrats for making the time to touch base with the forum Shaun, couple of questions from me.

1) Understand that questions around recruitment are sensitive but from a broader perspective are we looking to improve the depth in the forward's next season.

2) You have had some time to look at our juniors pathways, can you put your finger on why there's so many smaller players coming through and not as many big, fast athletic ones, are we losing them early in their careers.

 

[ShaunMielekamp]

@ShaunMielekamp 2027 we host parramatta for Easter, will this game be at Accor or Campbelltown?
I would not like this game at Commbank, it is hard enough for the Tigers to win enough games to make the semis so let's not throw a potential 2 points away by hosting a team in there own backyard.

In 2027 Easter Monday game will more than likely be at Commbank - but the draw has not been done yet. We are still in discussions with all stadiums on finalising the matches once the draw is done.

 

[ShaunMielekamp]

Congrats for making the time to touch base with the forum Shaun, couple of questions from me.

1) Understand that questions around recruitment are sensitive but from a broader perspective are we looking to improve the depth in the forward's next season.

2) You have had some time to look at our juniors pathways, can you put your finger on why there's so many smaller players coming through and not as many big, fast athletic ones, are we losing them early in their careers.

1. yes depth is the priority
2. Thats a great question, coaching and strength and conditioning resources is one of many items we feel can have more investment. More gym access and working with the schools plays a part in this - how much needs the experts to outline for me.