MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Dear Members,

As the 2015 season wraps up, we look back over the year knowing that while we did not achieve the ladder position that we would have liked, the team showed a resolve not seen for many years.

Going back to the drawing board after the departure of Jarryd Hayne was always going to be tough. However, in 2015 the team put themselves into a winning position on numerous occasions only to let the win slip away.

With further development of our young stars in the coming off season plus the injection of top-shelf players Kieran Foran, Beau Scott and Michael Gordon the Eels are abuzz with excitement.

I truly believe that 2016 will be the year of the Eel.

Earlier this year, we began the process of liquidation of the PDRL (the Parramatta District Rugby League Club). Prior to liquidation, the structure of the PDRL was one where it was no longer possible for an individual to become part of the PDRL alone, without also belonging to the Parramatta National Rugby League (PNRL).

The restructuring process will create a one-club entity from juniors right through to NRL level.

It will result in a more refined operational process, and bring our club in line with best governance practices. Now, when you join the PNRL (Parramatta National Rugby League), you are a Member of a united club.

Life Members of the PDRL will have their status preserved and transferred to a life membership within the PNRL. The criteria for being honoured with life membership will also be transferred across into the PNRL constitution, a process being managed by our legal team.

The history of this club is hugely important, and must be preserved. At the same time, we will have a vehicle to honour the current and future Members who contribute to our football club’s prosperity.

We hope to have this process resolved by early November, and information will be forwarded to all Members with details about the outcome.

Many Members have been asking about the appointment of a new CEO. Currently, our Chief Operating Officer John Boulous is filling the position and doing a wonderful job.

I have begun a review of the position and engaged a very well-credentialled external consultancy firm to assist.

The scope of the review is extensive and will give us an insight into how to best serve our great club and its Members. I ask that you all be patient as I and the Board work to deliver the best outcome for the mighty Eels.

Stay strong, stay united, stay Blue and Gold.

Steve Sharp

Chairman

So it's all very well that life memberships are being preserved but the point of the PDRL was that the NRL always essentially operated as a partnership between the PDRL and the Leagues Club. What has transpired is an effective takeover of the NRL entity by the Leagues Club that leaves season ticket holders and Pdrlc members with no voting mechanism or formal opportunity to influence their Rugby League club. When the PDRL was liquidated it made constitutional reform even more pressing but instead the so called reform committee has been disbanded with no feedback to members as to what was achieved or what the path forward is. Quite frankly I'm absolutely furious at either the inaction or the deliberate shelving of these reforms. At this point my only hope is that the NRL terms of reference force the club to address this issue again because we have given up the opportunity to drive that process ourselves. Once again a board has promised to reform the underlying flawed constitution before conveniently dropping the issue. If any of the board members are reading this I want you to know that I feel you have lied to me and misled the membership on your desire to fix this issue and the silence on this front to myself and the membership in general is deafening.

"I dont have an issue with taking a game somewhere and think the NRL should make every team take 1 game to regional centre or somewhere to grow the game. I also think it helps with team bonding as they go away and do footy clinics for kids so are…"

Replies

timbodavo October 2, 2015 at 11:50pm

Thanks for clarifying the real issues. Such as what is happening with Floppa????? And getting an actual decent centre who can threaten in attack as well as defend
timbodavo October 3, 2015 at 2:32am

ogh ok, missed that. Havnt been checking in last couple of weeks. And I now delete a lot of their emails before even reading them as they send so much junk mail
Alan Hunt October 3, 2015 at 6:42am

What a man!!!! Other clubs should be jealous we are run by a man with his finger on the pulse and with his connections and business nous. it's awesome we now have good governance and stuff.

Stay strong, stay united and stay mediocre.
1Eyed Eel October 3, 2015 at 11:09am

Fong: your post on this thread went too far and I've deleted it. There is a difference between critiquing someone's performance and just outright abuse which I consider your post in here to be. Regardless of your thoughts of Steve he is a long time servant of the club as a player and administrator and we don't need that level of disrespect on the site. Consider this a final warning because I was embarrassed by that post.
1Eyed Eel October 3, 2015 at 11:32am

So it's all very well that life memberships are being preserved but the point of the PDRL was that the NRL always essentially operated as a partnership between the PDRL and the Leagues Club. What has transpired is an effective takeover of the NRL entity by the Leagues Club that leaves season ticket holders and Pdrlc members with no voting mechanism or formal opportunity to influence their Rugby League club. When the PDRL was liquidated it made constitutional reform even more pressing but instead the so called reform committee has been disbanded with no feedback to members as to what was achieved or what the path forward is. Quite frankly I'm absolutely furious at either the inaction or the deliberate shelving of these reforms. At this point my only hope is that the NRL terms of reference force the club to address this issue again because we have given up the opportunity to drive that process ourselves. Once again a board has promised to reform the underlying flawed constitution before conveniently dropping the issue. If any of the board members are reading this I want you to know that I feel you have lied to me and misled the membership on your desire to fix this issue and the silence on this front to myself and the membership in general is deafening.
- Jimmy > 1Eyed Eel October 4, 2015 at 11:31am
  
  I'm shattered to hear of the demise of the Constitutional Reform Committee. It is the single most important issue that will influence my vote at the next election.
Chris October 3, 2015 at 11:36am

I find it interesting that an administrator comments on the performance of the team but not on the performance of the administration.

For most fans and supporters of the Board, as I have been, the most disappointing aspect of 2015 wasn't the team performance or where we finished. Most disappointing was the continued damage to our brand as parramatta eels for which the administration should take ultimate responsibility. No commentary on that? This message from the chairman seems to have forgotten how many people feel at the moment.

I used to enjoy these types of communication to the fans but now it is just about worthless in my opinion.
- Bup > Chris October 3, 2015 at 12:02pm
  
  those that aspire to be in positions of power are usually the least credentialed to do so.
- Bup > Chris October 3, 2015 at 12:47pm
  
  you missed the point like usual Pou. The people who should be in power unfortunately have no desire to do so. There's a disturbing link between psychopaths and CEOs . And no voters have little say in governance at the highest level , money , power, nepotism and cronyism and media decide.
- Bup > Chris October 3, 2015 at 1:14pm
  
  Obviously their excluded they don't want it. As per your question I should get to decide, so should you. Alas democracy's a load of crap.