Dear Wests Tigers Members,
I’m taking this opportunity to write to you to ensure you get the truth directly from me, and not get influenced by what you read, see or hear in the media or online, and the agendas that are attached to that.
I understand that there is going to be some of you that are upset over the decision made yesterday to play Robbie Farah in our Intrust Super Premiership team this weekend.
As with all clubs in all sports it’s never the role of the Board or the CEO to choose the starting line up each week and it never will be. This decision is a decision that is based on what the coaching staff believe is best for the team for an 80 minute period against this week’s opponent. As in all sporting organisations the coaching staff are employed to make decisions that they believe will give the team the best chance of winning on any given day, against any given opponent.
Again, I stress that this will never, and nor should it, change. The coach has full right to determine the game plan and the team that best suits that game plan. As a club we are very fortunate to have an abundance of creative playmakers and this should be seen as a positive by you all, not a negative.
The decision to not play Robbie Farah in the NRL side this week has no correlation with the events that occurred last year, it’s very important to understand this. I have spoken to a lot of you over the last 10 months about how this organisation is working together to develop a strong culture, a culture where robust discussions can take place without judgment or consequence, where leaders are developed and where our core values of TEAM, EXCELLENCE and RESPECT are lived daily. We’re really proud of how much progress we’re making, it’s a truly collective effort, there is not one single person in this organisation who has not bought into this and who has not worked hard to support this.
At Wests Tigers we speak a lot about how one’s character is best defined by the action one takes when no one is looking and I encourage everyone who is a Member or fan of Wests Tigers to continue to be passionate and supportive of the team. It’s important to remember that there are 17 players that have trained extremely hard, have put blood, sweat and tears into their preparation and have pushed themselves all year who will run out onto ANZ Stadium to face the Dragons this Sunday. They will give their all to each other, you as Members, and the wider fan base with a single focus, to win.
As Members you have joined this organisation to support the team and this Sunday our Wests Tigers NRL team will again run out and do us all proud.
We have so many positive signs in this business. Our Membership has increased from 9,000 last year to over 14,000 this year, we have partnered with more than 25 new corporate customers and that continues to grow, our game day investments are paying off with crowds up over 30% on last year and we have re-signed a number of players while continuing to add innovation and a progressive attitude to our daily business operations.
We’re proud to say that we are more active in our community than we ever have been before. As I’ve said many times our community programs are incredibly important to the Club. We were very proud to raise a significant amount of money for the Picton community from our Path to Picton fundraising walk and have engaged with a number of new community partners this year. We are more than just games of football on the weekend. We have an opportunity to help improve the lives of those we interact with on a daily basis and we will strive to have a positive impact on our entire community.
As we charge towards the finals there are over 60 contracted players throughout NRL, Intrust Super Premiership and Holden Cup that require your commitment, passion and support. Let’s remain strong as a group and let’s continue to focus on the enormous potential that exists within this organisation both on and off the field. I can’t stress enough to you that if we can unlock the potential of this brand we can all enjoy success.
Justin Pascoe, Wests Tigers CEO
I’m taking this opportunity to write to you to ensure you get the truth directly from me, and not get influenced by what you read, see or hear in the media or online, and the agendas that are attached to that.
I understand that there is going to be some of you that are upset over the decision made yesterday to play Robbie Farah in our Intrust Super Premiership team this weekend.
As with all clubs in all sports it’s never the role of the Board or the CEO to choose the starting line up each week and it never will be. This decision is a decision that is based on what the coaching staff believe is best for the team for an 80 minute period against this week’s opponent. As in all sporting organisations the coaching staff are employed to make decisions that they believe will give the team the best chance of winning on any given day, against any given opponent.
Again, I stress that this will never, and nor should it, change. The coach has full right to determine the game plan and the team that best suits that game plan. As a club we are very fortunate to have an abundance of creative playmakers and this should be seen as a positive by you all, not a negative.
The decision to not play Robbie Farah in the NRL side this week has no correlation with the events that occurred last year, it’s very important to understand this. I have spoken to a lot of you over the last 10 months about how this organisation is working together to develop a strong culture, a culture where robust discussions can take place without judgment or consequence, where leaders are developed and where our core values of TEAM, EXCELLENCE and RESPECT are lived daily. We’re really proud of how much progress we’re making, it’s a truly collective effort, there is not one single person in this organisation who has not bought into this and who has not worked hard to support this.
At Wests Tigers we speak a lot about how one’s character is best defined by the action one takes when no one is looking and I encourage everyone who is a Member or fan of Wests Tigers to continue to be passionate and supportive of the team. It’s important to remember that there are 17 players that have trained extremely hard, have put blood, sweat and tears into their preparation and have pushed themselves all year who will run out onto ANZ Stadium to face the Dragons this Sunday. They will give their all to each other, you as Members, and the wider fan base with a single focus, to win.
As Members you have joined this organisation to support the team and this Sunday our Wests Tigers NRL team will again run out and do us all proud.
We have so many positive signs in this business. Our Membership has increased from 9,000 last year to over 14,000 this year, we have partnered with more than 25 new corporate customers and that continues to grow, our game day investments are paying off with crowds up over 30% on last year and we have re-signed a number of players while continuing to add innovation and a progressive attitude to our daily business operations.
We’re proud to say that we are more active in our community than we ever have been before. As I’ve said many times our community programs are incredibly important to the Club. We were very proud to raise a significant amount of money for the Picton community from our Path to Picton fundraising walk and have engaged with a number of new community partners this year. We are more than just games of football on the weekend. We have an opportunity to help improve the lives of those we interact with on a daily basis and we will strive to have a positive impact on our entire community.
As we charge towards the finals there are over 60 contracted players throughout NRL, Intrust Super Premiership and Holden Cup that require your commitment, passion and support. Let’s remain strong as a group and let’s continue to focus on the enormous potential that exists within this organisation both on and off the field. I can’t stress enough to you that if we can unlock the potential of this brand we can all enjoy success.
Justin Pascoe, Wests Tigers CEO
