What I Believe

I believe the Parramatta Eels should be one of the premier rugby league clubs in Australia.

We have a strong and financially secure Leagues Club, world-class training facilities at Kellyville, a passionate and loyal membership, and one of the largest supporter bases in the NRL. With those advantages, we should consistently be competing for premierships and setting the standard both on and off the field.

Unfortunately, we have not achieved the level of sustained on-field success that our members deserve.

There are many reasons why this may be the case, and no single decision or individual can explain it. My own view, developed from following this club closely for more than three decades, is that over the past six or seven years we have gradually lost some of the football focus that once defined Parramatta.

I have been a member of this club for more than 30 years—a fact reflected on my season ticket. During that time, I have supported significant reforms that I believed were in the best interests of the club. I voted in favour of separating the NRL football operation into its own company under the ownership of the Leagues Club because I believed our players, coaches and football staff deserved financial certainty at a time when other clubs were facing administration and, in some cases, liquidation. Ensuring the football club had the backing of a strong and financially secure Leagues Club was, and remains, the right decision.

I also supported reforms that introduced more stringent requirements for board members. Those changes came after a difficult period in our club’s history, including the turmoil surrounding the 2008 and 2009 elections and the governance issues that ultimately contributed to the salary cap breaches several years later. They were necessary reforms, and I continue to support strong governance.

However, good governance alone does not win football games.

My belief is that Parramatta has excellent administrators and a well-managed Leagues Club. Where I believe we can improve is ensuring that football knowledge and football experience have a stronger voice in the decisions that shape the future of our club.

This is not about returning to the past or criticising individuals. It is about recognising that successful football clubs combine strong corporate governance with genuine football expertise. I believe Parramatta should strive for both.

If elected, I would advocate for a Board that never loses sight of the reason most members joined this club in the first place—to support a successful Parramatta Eels football team.