Eels under pressure to turn around recruitment policies
Chequebook open: the Eels are looking to snare a big-name recruit.
Source: The Daily Telegraph
THE Parramatta Eels are under mounting pressure to land a big-name signing for next season - and new coach Stephen Kearney has admitted the club's previous recruitment and retention policies have been flawed.
The Sunday Telegraph has obtained a copy of the Parramatta Leagues Club annual report to be mailed to 35,000 members this week.
Detailed under the section "Meet the Coach", Kearney has outlined his blueprint to end the
Eels' 25-year title drought. It includes:
* Undertaking a complete overhaul of the club's recruitment and retention system;
* Implementing a Parramatta Academy aimed at identifying outstanding junior talent earmarked for Toyota Cup and the NRL;
* Admitting the Eels' erratic fluctuations over the past 10 years "have not been good enough".
In the report, Kearney writes:
"Without going into intricate detail, the first part of our plan is already under way and it involves a more structured and specific approach to recruitment and retention of players and staff.
"It has been very frustrating for me as a newcomer to watch former Parramatta players running around playing for other clubs against the Eels.
"So I can only imagine how annoying it must be for our loyal sponsors and our very supportive fans. I aim to provide the necessary stability and direction as head coach that will ensure our retention program will hopefully put an end to our current players leaving the club.
"On the recruitment front, I am aiming to introduce some new talent into specific positions that will also assist our on-field performance."
The timing of Kearney's assessment is pivotal as the Eels continue to search for their first big-name signing since he joined the club in November.
Despite boasting a $1 million cheque book, the Eels have missed the signatures of Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Adam Blair, Kyle Stanley and Matt Duffie.
South Sydney halfback
Chris Sandow was this week identified as the top priority target as the club looks for a solution to its on-going halfback dilemma.
The other issue simmering at Parramatta is the looming leagues club board election on May 21.
Ex-Eels player Steve Sharp and ex-Eels employee Phil Moss have nominated to run as independent candidates.
If elected, this could upset the balance of power on the the Eels leagues club and football club boards.
But after turning a $9.1 million loss into a $7.1 million profit since the 3P ticket swept to power in 2009, the current Parramatta board boasts strong credentials.
On the football front, Eels power brokers are privately frustrated at the lack of structure Kearney has inherited since taking over from Daniel Anderson.
Some of the power brokers claim the Eels have been devoid of a strategic plan since Brian Smith departed the club in 2006.
Kearney's first significant recruitment move was to appoint ex-Broncos football manager Peter Nolan as chief recruitment officer. Now the pressure is on Nolan to deliver a prize signature.
