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New man, Stephen Humphries, in Wests Tigers hot seat
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Stephen Humphreys believes the Wests Tigers should be top four or five contenders every year.Picture: ROBERT POZO
STEPHEN Humphreys might exude a corporate-Australia image with his tailored suit and an air of unpretentious confidence, but he’s just signed on for a rollercoaster ride in the world of working-class rugby league.
>
The Wests Tigers new chief executive headed into the NRL club’s Campbelltown heartland on Friday to meet the media and reinforce the Tigers’ case that the Macarthur area is certainly part of their future plans.
>
Humphreys looks the part of the high-powered executive but he’s also traded blows on the field with the best of them.
>
The former fullback played 40 first grade games for Balmain between 1983 and 1987 and understands the culture of the game.
>
But after many years in management in the airline and, later, tourism industries he also understands the corporate world.
>
That background gives him an enviable perspective of both sides of the game - the sport and the business - and the experience and understanding of the need to balance the playing jerseys, the sponsors’ suits and the fans’ demands.
>
While he’s only just landed in the hot seat, replacing the ousted Scott Longmuir who got offside with coach Tim Sheens, Humphreys has already shown his nouse.
>
In the week before he officially took up the job, he made it a priority to visit Campbelltown and catch up with Mayor Russell Matheson and general manager Paul Tosi.
>
He used the opportunity to introduce himself, catch up with redevelopment works at Campbelltown Sports Stadium and reassure the city leaders the Tigers were as keen as ever to be part of the community.
>
“I applaud the work the council, the mayor and his team and the Federal Government has done to secure funding for the stadium. It’s commendable,” Humphreys said.
>
“There’s no question it strengthens Campbelltown’s case (to have more games played in the city) . . . it will be something to look at and weigh up.”
>
He said as a football club it was a “no brainer” to want to play at your homeground where there was parochialism and support.
>
“The gap is narrowing between the business case and playing at ANZ Stadium or Sydney Football Stadium, and that’s a good thing (for Campbelltown and Leichhardt),” he added.
>
Humphreys said he saw Wests Tigers as top four or five contenders every year.
>
“We have the skills, experience and talent from our head coach to our playing roster and we have all the other ingredients - crowds, geography, supporter base, juniors and solid financial position,” Humphreys explained.
>
“Since the success of 2005 we have underperformed.
>
“We’ve done all the things right but need to do them a bit better. We’ve got the core ingredients but the mix needs to be looked at.
>
“And we could probably do with a little bit more luck on the field.”
>
Stephen Humphreys believes the Wests Tigers should be top four or five contenders every year.Picture: ROBERT POZO
STEPHEN Humphreys might exude a corporate-Australia image with his tailored suit and an air of unpretentious confidence, but he’s just signed on for a rollercoaster ride in the world of working-class rugby league.
>
The Wests Tigers new chief executive headed into the NRL club’s Campbelltown heartland on Friday to meet the media and reinforce the Tigers’ case that the Macarthur area is certainly part of their future plans.
>
Humphreys looks the part of the high-powered executive but he’s also traded blows on the field with the best of them.
>
The former fullback played 40 first grade games for Balmain between 1983 and 1987 and understands the culture of the game.
>
But after many years in management in the airline and, later, tourism industries he also understands the corporate world.
>
That background gives him an enviable perspective of both sides of the game - the sport and the business - and the experience and understanding of the need to balance the playing jerseys, the sponsors’ suits and the fans’ demands.
>
While he’s only just landed in the hot seat, replacing the ousted Scott Longmuir who got offside with coach Tim Sheens, Humphreys has already shown his nouse.
>
In the week before he officially took up the job, he made it a priority to visit Campbelltown and catch up with Mayor Russell Matheson and general manager Paul Tosi.
>
He used the opportunity to introduce himself, catch up with redevelopment works at Campbelltown Sports Stadium and reassure the city leaders the Tigers were as keen as ever to be part of the community.
>
“I applaud the work the council, the mayor and his team and the Federal Government has done to secure funding for the stadium. It’s commendable,” Humphreys said.
>
“There’s no question it strengthens Campbelltown’s case (to have more games played in the city) . . . it will be something to look at and weigh up.”
>
He said as a football club it was a “no brainer” to want to play at your homeground where there was parochialism and support.
>
“The gap is narrowing between the business case and playing at ANZ Stadium or Sydney Football Stadium, and that’s a good thing (for Campbelltown and Leichhardt),” he added.
>
Humphreys said he saw Wests Tigers as top four or five contenders every year.
>
“We have the skills, experience and talent from our head coach to our playing roster and we have all the other ingredients - crowds, geography, supporter base, juniors and solid financial position,” Humphreys explained.
>
“Since the success of 2005 we have underperformed.
>
“We’ve done all the things right but need to do them a bit better. We’ve got the core ingredients but the mix needs to be looked at.
>
“And we could probably do with a little bit more luck on the field.”
