Monday is a critical day for the short-term stability of the Parramatta club. It is the first meeting of the Parramatta District Rugby League Club board since the recent resignation of Mario Libertini. And as such it represents the first opportunity for the directors of that board to ensure that the 2014 Parramatta Eels take their shot at the Premiership without the worry of political infighting or boardroom divides.
If the board is doing its job, it will immediately replace Libertini with Peter Serrao. The former Harold Matthews dual-premiership winning coach is also currently a Leagues Club director, and his appointment would serve to immediately make both boards constitutional and functional.
It would basically ensure that between now and the end of the season we won’t hear from the boardroom again, and our team who are currently a single win off the top of the ladder will have every chance to pursue glory this year without distraction.
It’s what should have happened when the last two vacancies on the football club arose, but surely after all of the recent events we’re past the extreme factionalism that has resulted in these appointments being made for political purposes. It’s hard to imagine that at least one of Sid Kelly, Eric Grothe Snr or Ray Price won’t put all of the politics aside, and simply do the right thing for the club and vote for Serrao to join the board.
It’s not as if Serrao’s appointment will tilt the balance of power and result in an overthrow of Roy Spagnolo. The then-three Football Club directors still represent a minority. So the only reason not to vote Serrao onto the board would be out of spite or for some minor political rationale. And given we’re only six months away from the next Football Club election anyway, it’s not like it’s a long-term appointment either.
As such I feel optimistic, that the Football Club will put our footballers first. Brad Arthur and his players deserve to finally be the people who’s interests are made the priority and all of the directors have the opportunity to demonstrate that, at the end of the day, we’re all first and foremost concerned with doing our part to make Parramatta more successful.
Disclosure: For those who don't already know and in the interest of disclosure I ran on the ParraFirst ticket with Pete Serrao at the last Football club election and he has also become a pretty good mate of mine. He also got the same number of votes as me, but I'm willing to overlook that to support him as the right candidate for the vacancy :-)
Replies
So if Sassen is reinstated to the PDRLC it would mean that the Leagues Club Board has it's 3 required Football Directors in Sharp, Gerard and Sassen. This would free up the Leagues Club Board to make its own appointment for the vacant Libertini spot as it sees fit. Maybe Lim who was originally elected to the Leagues Club until Sassen resigned?
See, not complicated at all.
Mutt, i questioned motives of the resignation of Sassen after last years election, because of that i'd be suspect of him getting back on the board, more of the same mate.
Phil i like your positive thoughts, but when have Sid, Ray or Eric been able to put the club first in regards to powers struggles, i dont like the chances of it happening on monday.
"I’m currently helping out the club as Head Coach of Parramatta’s 14’s Talent Development Squad at the Eels. I’ve worked in the Eels Junior Representative Program since 1995 in various roles. I was fortunate to be part of a hat-trick of Harold Matthews Cup wins from 1997, and was the Head Coach of the winning sides in 1998 and 1999. I’ve taken Development squads on tours of country NSW as well as tours to New Zealand. During my time I have been fortunate to work with the like of Luke Burt, Eric Grothe Jnr, Chad Robinson, Daniel Irvine, Pat Richards, Dene Halatau, Mick Vella, Andrew Ryan, Brett Delaney, Heath Lestrange, Brendan Oake, Kris Keating, Feleti Mateo and Kris Inu – just to name a few. I was fortunate enough to be rewarded with life membership in 2010.
I’ve also played a role for many years in helping our junior league coaches by presenting various topics at the Level 1 and Level 2 coaching courses and was part of a team that assesses candidates to receive their Level 2 qualifications. I hope that my footy experience as well as the business experience I’ve had as a commercial manager will enable me to contribute positively to the Board if I get the opportunity.
We need the perm involved.