OFFICIAL Q&A Club discussion with Shaun Mielekamp

ShaunMielekamp said:
Afternoon everyone, I wanted to start a thread to primarily show my personal support for the forum and the importance I see in this medium. This also can be a genuinely helpful way for the club to source feedback from time to time in an online space that will self-regulate and fuel healthy debate.

I tried to post a few days ago but appropriately the moderators ran their checks to confirm that yes this is actually me rather than someone pretending to be the CEO.
I have been actively reading the forum since I started at the club over 2 years ago and several times I was very close to jumping on and saying hi several times but decided to take the safer route.

I've seen many posts on here that wonder if the club does read the forum and it is worth knowing that some staff do at times jump on. I am a huge fan of online forums because I believe it is a key part of fan culture and debate, especially in a modern social media world where it is hard to see through the online trolls and the media agendas. At least here you know someone will call out BS and as long as people remain within the forum rules good debate and conversation can foster.

I am keen to hear from people on their views passions and opinions, but I do want to put in a disclaimer that I simply won't be able to reply to every question or comment on every topic. I'm sure you will all agree that I should be spending 99.99% of my time working as hard as I can as CEO and getting caught up too much on here with debate is not the best use of my time or head space.

Please know that I can't and won't be able to talk on a lot of topics - players and football in particular. I know you all would love me to give a blow-by-blow account of every team list, recruitment discussion, on field decisions, board discussions etc etc obviously that would not be professional and not in the best interest of the club. Plenty of things that happen at the club need to stay confidential at the club and I know that what is said on here simply won't stay on here.

I hope to jump on at random every few weeks or so but there will be times that I might not get on to reply for a few months - like I said I will need to make sure I prioritise 99.99% of my time on the day to day job and hopefully this is still and opportunity that is welcomed here on the forum.

I do have thick skin so I get that I will get some frank feedback at times, just please remember I am a human with a family.

So please know that I will read this thread, unlikely that i will be able to read all the other though. I'm still learning everyday about the very unique journey this club has been on and I can't rewrite or comment on decision made before my time. I do believe in the Wests Tigers and that includes everyone that cheers on our players and spend your hard earned money on supporting this club.

Thanks for being part of this forum and reading my long post, most of all thanks for being part of the Wests Tigers family.
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Hi Shaun,

Really amazing for a CEO to jump onto the forum. Hats off to you mate.

I think we do all understand you have to do the best job that you can within your environment and unfortunately, that comes with restrictions based on the current governance setup. I'm sure you can sense the frustration about all that on here. We want qualified, competent board members, which other clubs seem to have, but we seem to be at the behest of what feels like some massive egos.

There's not much you can do there as they've shown that they don't want to improve in line with recommendations. I do fear that entitled culture from the top continues to permeate internally to our detriment, especially when everyone else is expected to earn their place...

Now I've covered that rant that none of us can seem to fix, my question (or suggestion) is actually to look at an endowment fund. I spoke to JP when he was around briefly and nothing really happened. But you have some really passionate supporters on here that may want to provide something similar to the foundation 13, as part of their estate.

It's a bit morbid, but I really think it's something that could help build some wealth at the club. It probably can't be marketed (News Corp would love to slam that angle..), but setting up a vehicle for people to do so, would be great.
 
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ShaunMielekamp said:
Yes we do have a sports psychologist. We did a heap of work in the pre-season and will be something that continues to be refined.
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What is he/she doing right now because it seems our NRL team has been playing with no motivation or energy for the past few weeks? They clearly have the skills, but the efforts have been well below par. Players’ heads don’t appear to be in the game, despite what’s at stake. It’s an age old problem with this club.

Hoping you can bring some much needed change for the better in your tenure here. The supporters are just about at the end of it with the lack of success and drama that constantly surrounds this club. I’m hoping one day soon I will be proud to support the Wests Tigers again, because right now I’m embarrassed to tell anyone who I support and that’s a really crap place to be.

Appreciate you popping in here Shaun.
 
GNR4LIFE said:
I don’t really have a question, but I do want to convey how good it will be to be done with Parramatta come 2029. An 8-4 split is the ideal outcome imo.
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8-4 is not ideal.

6-6 is. Leichhardt is marketable whether the SW likes it or not but in saying that a Campbelltown presence is required for growth as I agree it has been under-represented also.

Start there and see what happens.
 
Cultured_Bogan said:
8-4 is not ideal.

6-6 is. Leichhardt is marketable whether the SW likes it or not but in saying that a Campbelltown presence is required for growth as I agree it has been under-represented also.

Start there and see what happens.
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You watch the swing back to parity if they can't shake off the black cat playing there.

Well that would be the sensible thing to do.
 
Hi @ShaunMielekamp ,

Since we are now finally making a profit, I hope that we can be self sustainable and don't need as much funding from HBG. I'm sure you're working very hard to get sponsors on board.

In terms of funding and resources, how are they distributed at Junior levels? Compared to other club, how much money do we spend per team at the Junior levels?

And further to that, are there any thoughts on developing an Academy where players from Andrew Johns Cup all the way through to NRL train under one roof so that the Junior players can see the professionalism required at NRL level?

Based on the financials so far, would you say the quality and quantity of coaches, trainers, physios and equipment etc meets the standards of other "richer" clubs such as Dogs, Panthers etc?
 
Not a question but a comment for Shaun or whoever from the club may read this… the game day operation must improve. It’s poorly run, poorly presented and often cringe inducing and amateur at best. To improve this aspect of the clubs operation is simple, cheap and aiming toward a worlds best practice is low cost, high return for paid up members. I hope the club in the offseason can look around the world of sport to see who does it best, cost effectively and steal their ideas.
Some suggestions - as mentioned here previous, the covering of replays on the screens at grounds is embarrassing. I know you have to advertise, but there’s better times to do this. I also understand that this may be a condition of the broadcast deal but if it is not I would like to see it stopped immediately.
The most regular at ground mc hired is terrible, better talent must be obtained, the young bloke Lachy Pringle is an immediate upgrade.
The attempt to make never tear us apart as an anthem is admirable but not connecting, especially when the mc has to step in to sing. Not acknowledging that Port Adelaide have this as their anthem, and do it well - playing just before the game - is again, a bit amateur… and the tigers already used this crucial moment to play welcome the jungle, a true organic anthem of the club that is one of the best parts of the game day experience. Best of luck with everything that needs turning around at the club, hopefully your bosses can be a bit hands off except when reaching for their wallets.
 
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Jokes aside @ShaunMielekamp...

How the hell do you dig out this club? I'm an A-League fan (admittedly Sydney FC,) and you did something special with the Mariners, Cumdog, bringing Vuka to the coast, the wizard of Woy Woy came home.

You are quite clearly someone who can make good things happen on the smell of an oily rag.

WT arguably have more resources so what is your blueprint to rescue us from a 15 year finals hiatus. What is the derivation, if any, from Richo's plan?
 
Hello Shaun, welcome! I spoke with you at one of the members forums earlier in the year and you mentioned you were keen on diving into the fan forums, so it’s good to have you here. I was the person who asked you about strapping tape and the previous issues with Braith Anasta, which seemed to amuse you.

My question is about our jerseys. We have had a different jersey design every year for the last three years. We used to pick a jersey design and stick with it for 3 or 4 years before changing it. Will we stick with the current jersey designs for a while? And if the jerseys are going to be changed again can we take part in the design process? I’d love to see us return to using black, white and 2005-style gold again in the jerseys, rather than the carrot orange we currently use. I have some rough sketches that I could email to you for consideration.

Thanks a lot Shaun! 🐯
 
ShaunMielekamp said:
The current Wests Tigers board is:
Barry O'Farrell Chairman
Frank Primerano deputy Chairman
Danny Stapleton
Michelle McDowell
Mick Luibinskas
Leo Epifania
Dan Paton
Michelle Nielsen

I know that this needs to be updated on the website and we are working through this.
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They certainly made sure the board independence was gone choosing that lot , mostly diehard magpies
 
GNR4LIFE said:
Does Benji have carte blanche over who his assistants are? If so, is it just a coincidence that the best available are all of his ex teammates?
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This has been a concern of mine too, I love these blokes, but maybe they are not the best at coaching a footy team that seems to have difficulty winning games (for whatever reason) ! so yes we would like to know why (Benji) is picking these particular people to assist him.

I think Benji needs an older more experienced coach as mentor although maybe Benji doesn't think so !

You are very brave Shaun for coming onto this forum - it can get pretty negative, especially after a loss, of which there have been plenty.

I have been a member of the WT's for over 20 yrs, but have been wavering a bit for the past few years as it can be a pretty depressing club to follow and I think a lot of us could use the help of the "sport psychologist" to help us get through the difficult times !! of which we know there have been many.

Hopefully you will help the club navigate some of the issues that are holding us back from our winning ways.
It is good to have you on board Shaun -thank you for joining our forum, and good luck in your endeavours.
 
Will the relationship between the club and Sheens ever be mended? Feel that no matter what went on behind closed doors bad blood is never good for culture especially for someone with such a big history with the club.
 
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