NRL approaches Peter Wynn to become an independent director of the Parramatta board

By BRAD WALTERFormer Parramatta great Peter Wynn has rejected an approach to become one of three independent directors the NRL wants the Eels to appoint before August in a bid to reform the club's board and controversial election process.Wynn confirmed he had been approached this week to take a seat on the board by Parramatta chairman Steve Sharp, who is one of three Eels directors the NRL wants to deregister over the salary cap breaches totaling $3 million since he was first elected to the position in 2013.However, Wynn said he did not have the time to commit to what would be a massive task given the turmoil within the club after details of the breaches were announced this week along with penalties of 12 competition points and a $1 million fine.Advertisement"" style="margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; font-size: 0px; display: block; border: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;">Back in the day: Parramatta Eels forward Peter Wynn in action in 1988.Photo: Newcastle Herald Library"I spoke to Sharpie yesterday and he asked me to come on board as an independent director but I told him I did not have the time," said Wynn, who owns sports retail outlet Peter Wynn's Score. "It is something I would love to do but if I put my hand up to do that job I would give the 100 per cent commitment that the club needs and I am totally committed to my business so I just don't have the time." There was speculation that fellow Eels legends Michael Cronin and Peter Sterling had also been asked to join the board but Cronin said he had not been approached recently, while Sterling has ruled out becoming a director and suggested former Roosters CEO Bernie Gurr for a position at the club.The NRL wants the Eels to fast track recommendations from a governance review of the club conducted by Price Waterhouse Coopers last year, including the appointment of three independent directors.Eels stalwart: Peter Wynn.Photo: Megan GorreyParramatta officials had earlier this year agreed to stagger the appointment of three independent directors but the NRL has made it a condition of the penalties handed down on Tuesday that the changes take place by August or the Eels lose $250,000 of the $1 million fine that has been suspended if they accelerate the governance reforms.The independent directors could not have any association with either Parramatta Football Club or the powerful Parramatta Leagues Club which controls the NRL team. It has also been proposed that the election of Parramatta directors be staggered to discourage members forming tickets to gain control of the board. NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg told the press conference to announce the findings of the investigation into alleged salary cap irregularities at Parramatta that the club had gone through 25 directors and six chief executives since 2009 and the lack of stability is blamed for the Eels breaching the cap in five of the past six years.The NRL wants Sharp, Tom Issa and Peter Serrao to stand down from the Parramatta board and have begun moves to cancel their registration as club officials, along with chief executive John Boulos and football operations manager Daniel Anderson.Eels director Paul Garrard, the Lord Mayor of Parramatta, has spoken out against the NRL's move to fast track the appointment of the three independent board members, saying: "It's no secret the NRL likes clubs controlled by individuals not members. The more say they have, the better".

"If you are going to do that better off just keeping him in Cup as a break glass option. Unless he is that much of a cancer and that negative to the squad that he needs to go."

Replies

Gaz May 6, 2016 at 7:36pm

It's disappointing that everyone that has said the club needs fixing, don't want to put their hand up & help fix it.
- Lighti3 > Gaz May 6, 2016 at 7:43pm
  
  Fitzy did, so has Ray Hadley and some bloke called Bill. Just wait for the Price and Grothe cavalary to ride into town. There will be 3 factions in the car park with their wagons in a circle waiting for the Eels civil war to start.
  
  PESC will be waiting in the corner to leech off the eventual victors
- Alan Hunt > Gaz May 6, 2016 at 7:58pm
  
  I admire Wally saying it deserves more attention then he can give, i'd rather him turn us down and then take the job and not be able to give it 100%.
Sir Col "THE NODDY MUSHROOM" May 6, 2016 at 7:38pm

YEE-HAA - now we are THREE MILLION over the cap.

This is getting gooderer and betterer.
Muttman May 6, 2016 at 7:40pm

Peter has been asked by every Board for the past 10 years. He always declines.
Kurupt May 6, 2016 at 7:46pm

All we need another player, at least Wynn is smart enough to stay right the fudge away.
Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown May 6, 2016 at 7:51pm

LOLLL Who in their right mind would say yes to Steve if he asked them to come on board?

Im sure Boulous was stoked he came on board lol, who in their right mind would atm?
Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown May 6, 2016 at 8:08pm

Smooth figs.......Would you join the board tomorrow if Steve asked you? risking you would be forever be tarred with the same brush?

Im sure Peter has better things to do than jump in a pit full of funnel webs and vipers.

Until this whole board goes we are screwed
Ed May 6, 2016 at 8:12pm

Ex players aren't the answer we need strong independent directors with a football brain and a passion for the code. We gotta get Bernie Gurr onboard and make a strong play for Brian canavan these 2 blokes worked together at the roosters and had success. The NRL knows the club is only chance for a Sydney club to win a premiership and that's why we're lenient towards the club.
1Eyed Eel May 6, 2016 at 8:14pm

As I've mentioned previously, I've had discussions with a number of business people as to whether they would go onto the board, and the message is always the same - I'd be interested in a fresh board full of business people, but no way would I go onto the existing board and all of the baggage that comes with that.