For 14 years now the Wests Tigers boardroom has been one of ambition and good intention. However at the same time it's also been a boardroom of alleged self interest, hidden agenda's and more than the occasional bloodbath. A period post 2005 under the leadership of then CEO Steve Noyce seemed to temporarily paint over the cracks. In 2010 and 2011, Wests Tigers enjoyed some of their strongest years off the field. It also meant there was little to genuinely squabble about in the boardroom. The cracks though were still there and once on field form dipped in 2012, the board had big decisions to make and they couldn't seemingly agree....yet again.
To understand just why the Wests Tigers boardroom has appeared so fractured is in fact hard. Why? Because we're not the ones on the inside playing it out. Out here, we hear the speculation and the partial truth. I remember Wests Tigers CEO Grant Mayer saying in a recent interview that rumours and speculation often come from facts which are only partly true. Mayer suggested that 20% of a reported rumour may in fact have some truth to it.
In this situation it was reported that the Wests Tigers board wanted Potter gone and that there would be a review of the coaching structure at the club. Well, that was 20% true. Yes, there would be coaching structure review. The media believed that this meant Potter's job was on the line. Seriously on the line! However since those reports, the Wests Tigers have confirmed that Potter is and was safe. The Tigers have also charged Potter, along with Mayer, the task of forming a new, more up to date coaching structure at the club.
Back to the boardroom though. I do believe the board when they say they want what's best for Wests Tigers. The trouble is, neither side seems to trust one another. Currently the Wests Tigers board is split 50/50 down the middle. Even the chairman gets alternated on an annual basis. Mike Bailey (Wests 2013 chair) and Nick Di Girolamo (Balmain and 2013 vice chair). With the 50/50 split in the boardroom, it's no wonder they can't agree on things. One of the latest reasons for distrust in the boardroom has been played very publically. Wests have offered to pay a sum of money that Balmain cannot afford at this stage and in fact perhaps ever?? In return the Magpies would get a stronger presence in the board room but only whilst Balmain's financial position remains poor. To me, this is fair. I don't have an issue with it.
The trouble with the above though is that despite the good intentions of all, this still doesn't curb the boardroom squabbles which have plagued Wests Tigers near 15 year existence. My belief, and the same which Captain Robbie Farah suggested on the weekend was that the board need to be making decisions with only Wests Tigers in mind. Farah argued that many of the clubs younger fans 16 or under would have little or no clue who Wests or Balmain are. They only know Wests Tigers, and this isn't a bad thing.
My suggestion is similar to that of the NRL's mooted plan. Wests Tigers should form a new independent board. Of the 8 members on the board, only 2 would come from Wests and Balmain. The other 6 would remain independent. In this case we could have Mike Bailey (Wests). Nick Di Girolamo (Balmain), Grant Mayer (WT's CEO) already appointed. Meaning only 5 independent board members would need to apply. Applicants can no doubt have links to Balmain and Wests, but they would not represent either club on the board. If they were to do so, I think it would only fair that they relinquish their role with the foundation clubs. Ideally though these 5 members would have no tie with any former boardroom at Wests and Balmain.
The root of the boardroom squabbles always seems to come back to distrust. An issue of "Us verses Them". The intentions and ideas put forward by the board always seem to merit, but the progress is always stifled or shot down because of this distrust. If Wests Tigers seriously wants this club to grow, then this needs to change and that cannot be stressed enough here! For 14, going on 15 years now the current 50/50 split has not worked. It will never work! If this club is to ever achieve its desired potential then the only way forward is with an independent board set up. Success on field can only ever be achieved in tandem with success off the field.
In Grant Mayer, Wests Tigers appear to have a forward thinking, creative, open minded and determined CEO. Perhaps even more crucial though is his independency from Wests or Balmain. Mayer is able to make clear decisions with only Wests Tigers in mind. There is no lack of trust towards Mayer from either side of the joint venture and this leads to a more open reception from the joint venture clubs. Mayer's work at Wests Tigers has been impressive and I get the feeling that he will continue to make big decisions for the club that are in the best interests of Wests Tigers. He may well represent the club's best chance of moving forward due to the example he sets.
Mayer though will not be able to do this on his own. He needs the full support of the board around him. In its current state, I don't believe he will truly get it due to the distrust the remaining members carry with them. However, if the NRL model for the boardroom gathers momentum and is eventually taken on, then there is hope for our club once more!
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