I know no one is interested in this, and will just be like putting burrs under a few 1eeyed'ers saddle but worth a read.
Parramatta CEO Bernie Gurr has addressed every Eels player and staffer as the club prepares to undergo one of the most important reviews in its history.
Every employee of the blue and golds came together for a lunch at Rosehill Bowling Club on Wednesday to be briefed on the review and other initiatives the organisation is undertaking. It was a chance for Gurr to introduce chief reviewer Shane McCurry, as well as his offsiders Greg Brentnall and Rob Kerr to the staff. The project is an acknowledgment the Eels need to undergo an overhaul after a diabolical season that has them sitting in last spot on the ladder.
“It’s the first time I’ve been involved in a meeting like that where we got the whole club together, not just the players or just the CEO talking to the staff,” said winger Bevan French.
“Everyone was in the room at once talking about how we are going to turn things around. It will take every single one of us, not just the players.
“It was a good thing to be a part of. It was about our plans moving forward as a club and what projects are under way.
“It’s a bit private, it was about creating a better culture and things like that.
“It was an introduction to some people coming into the club that are going to build a good culture and things like that.
“It wasn’t much football talk. It was just some planning in general.”
It is the first time Gurr has gathered the entire organisation together since a similar gathering when he was first appointed as CEO.
“The logic is to get everyone in the club in one room and totally aligned so that we get better not just in football but non-football issues too,” Gurr said.
“It’s a very good communication to get everyone together periodically.
“The review is just getting started. We will let it run its course and see what comes out of it.
“These are very commonplace in traditional businesses, not just sport, to look at areas where you can improve. This is a normal practice and is very positive, it’s not about saying things aren’t being done well but looking at how we can improve.”
Updates were provided on the construction of the new Western Sydney Stadium, while McCurry also briefly addressed the room to discuss the scope of his review. Every player, along with all football department staff, will be interviewed as part of the project.
“There are lots of bits and pieces going on that I wanted to share with all the players, coaches and admin staff,” Gurr said.
“We had a bit of lunch. It was nice to get together.”
Parramatta boosted their chances of avoiding the wooden spoon with a win against arch rivals Canterbury but will need to step up considerably against their next opponents. They take on a South Sydney side coming off a loss, just a month after conceding 42 points to the Rabbitohs.
On that occasion, Parramatta’s edge defence was badly exposed. Injury will prevent George Jennings from participating in the rematch, resulting in a reshuffle that includes Brad Takairangi coming into the centres and Jarryd Hayne on the wing.
“It wasn’t a very good memory playing them last time,” Takairangi said.
“I don’t think we were on the same page last time, people were going out or staying back [in defence]. Communication is a big one for us
“We saw last week the Tigers did a pretty good job against them so hopefully we can take a leaf out of that book and do a good job.”
French has played predominantly on the wing rather than his preferred fullback spot this season. There will be extra competition to keep his place when Roosters recruit Blake Ferguson arrives next year.
“When you have got such a strong roster there’s always going to be competition for spots. Fergo is only going to add to that when he comes next year,” French said.
“He’s been tremendous for the Roosters this year. I’m quite surprised they didn’t re-sign him."
Replies
I wondered why the meeting was not held at the PLC, but more than likely at another venue may have been better owing to it being in house, and less around to bring in falsies about it. (& that's not referring to female anatomy)
I think it may be due to the club still under refurbishment. Not sure what access is like to the auditorium.
Other aspect is the catering for it. The various food spots there are pretty busy even through the week.
There is no longer an auditorium at the club. It's the bowling alley. They will need to do all large meetings and functions off site.
Surely this cannot be right?
A leagues club where no large meetings or functions can be held?
That doesnt sound right.
Obviously it’s not right.
You do know they opened a bowling alley and video games area. Where do you think it went?
i think the plan is that a new hotel development will have the auditorium.
Yes weve been talking about it for months.
So an Auditorium is coming, great.
At some time in the next ten years I'd say! They stopped using the auditorium regularly long ago. It was an unused space. They needed to use it for gigs like the old days.
Ahhhh, the feel good & bonding sessions do help to gloss over the season of abject failure.
BG can now tick the "Positive Action Taken" box on his Check List & include a glowing & positive outlook in his report for 2019 to the Board.
Fans & sponsors can now put 2018 behind us as an unfortunate aberration & look forward with confidence to a successful 2019 in our new stadium emboldened in our New Culture of Winning which the pending review will incorporate in its conclusion.
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