Wests Tigers shareholders have this week announced major changes to the management of the club following an independent governance and culture review.
It also follows the resignation of Chief Executive Justin Pascoe who believes the review marks the right time for the club to make a fresh start.
The Wests Tigers are grateful for Justin’s leadership and believe he will be successful in his future endeavours.
Holman Barnes Group Chairman Tony Andreacchio said the shareholders had accepted the recommendations of the review to appoint an interim Chairman and interim Chief Executive Officer to take the club forward.
The Wests Magpies and the Balmain Tigers said they fully support the refresh aimed at delivering long-term success for the club.
Mr Andreacchio said the key changes were:
Former Premier Barry O’Farrell will be interim Chairman. Mr O’Farrell was previously Wests Tigers Chairman in 2019 before taking up a role as High Commissioner to India.
Shane Richardson will be interim Chief Executive Officer. Mr Richardson has more than 30 years’ experience in club management. He was CEO of the Penrith Panthers from 2002-2004 with the club winning the Premiership in 2003. He was also CEO of the South Sydney Rabbitohs from 2004 to 2015, with the club winning the Premiership in 2014.
A new interim Board has been appointed to oversee the implementation of the review recommendations. The Board has been reduced from seven members to four for the interim phase. The interim Board will be comprised of Mr O’Farrell (Chairman), and a representative of each of the three Wests Tigers shareholders – Dave Gilbert (Holman Barnes), Danny Stapleton (Balmain Tigers Chairman) and a nomination from the Wests Magpies. The changes are subject to legal approvals.
Mr O’Farrell and Mr Richardson will take up their roles in the new year and oversee the transition to a new, seven director Board (comprising four independent directors, including the chair and a representative from each of the Wests Tigers shareholders). They will also implement further recommendations from the review to set the club up for long-term success.
It would seem that this decision has resulted in the collapse of their pursuit of Tonga star Addin Fonua-Blake leaving the door wide open for the Cronulla Sharks to sign him with reports that the Tigers have pulled out of the move.
The club is set for a new dawn but not one that will include Fonua-Blake.
