Wests Tigers could be facing more disruption at their head office with the upcoming Balmain Leagues Club elections to impact on the board of the joint-venture club.
It is shaping as a crucial week for the Balmain side of the merger, as members go to the polls at Sunday's annual general meeting to decide their board representatives, which will affect the composition of the Wests Tigers board. The leagues club will be in the Supreme Court the following day for a hearing into its dispute with Rozelle Village over the proposed premises on Victoria Road.
Half of the Balmain board is up for election, meaning three spots will be decided at the ballot box. Chairman Danny Stapleton, who is on the joint-venture board, and fellow incumbent Gary Leo are up for re-election, but Mark Crowe is stepping down to concentrate on his business interests.
There will be five candidates jostling for three positions, with Les Hobbs, Austin Hoyle and Scott Drummond also on the ballot. Two of the successful Balmain directors transfer across to the Tigers board, which is also comprised of two representatives from the Western Suburbs side of the merger.
The NRL is in the process of appointing three independent directors to the Tigers board, who will effectively have control of the club as the Balmain directors have relinquished their voting rights in exchange for the governing body picking up their financial shortfall.
However, Balmain views Sunday's AGM as significant, as it is hopeful of reclaiming voting rights by squaring the ledger within the next two years, particularly if a resolution can be reached with Rozelle Village. Because that case is before the courts, an annual report won't be tabled at the AGM, meaning members will be in the dark about the true financial position of Balmain.
Each of the Balmain candidates brings their own strengths and experiences to the table. Former player Stapleton, whose father was a former president of the club, is on the Tigers board and runs a facilities management/construction company.
Life member Leo, a prop from Balmain’s last premiership team in 1969, is involved in the hospitality industry. Hobbs, also a life member, was heavily involved in the teams of the 1980s and '90s, and ran a successful transportation business. Life member Hoyle was also heavily involved with the club over many years, while Drummond is a long-time member who runs a graphic design business.
Members will need to decide between a shake-up or keeping the status quo to limit the disruption. It won't be the only call they need to make – there is a special resolution to adopt a new constitution, requiring 75 per cent of support from voting members. Most of the changes are minor tweaks to comply with the Corporations and Registered Clubs Acts.
After announcing the re-signing of Sitaleki Akauola on Tuesday, fellow forward Ava Seumanufagai extended his stay at the club until the end of 2015. Since making his NRL debut in round three last year, Seumanufagai has played 34 NRL games and become a key member of the forward pack.
“I’m really excited to stay with the Wests Tigers,” Seumanufagai said. “I’m happy that my contract is sorted for next year and grateful for the opportunity.”
