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Link : http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/eels/eels-in-bid-to-slash-costs/2009/03/07/1235842719952.html
Eels in bid to slash costs
Adrian Proszenko | March 8, 2009
THE new cut-price Eels will arrive just hours before several interstate games as part of chief executive Denis Fitzgerald's 13-point plan to save the club from financial extinction.
The Eels are under increasing financial pressure after Parramatta Leagues Club recorded a $7.8 million loss for 2008. Fitzgerald is also in a battle to retain control of the club - the long-serving administrator will be challenged at next month's leagues club elections by a contingent of former Eels headed by Terry Leadbeater.
Fitzgerald has responded to the challenges with a comprehensive plan he hopes will ensure the success of the Eels both on and off the field. The 13-point document, obtained by The Sun-Herald, indicates that Eels officials will now fly with the team only when absolutely necessary - and will do so in economy rather than business class.
The cutbacks also affect players. Overnight accommodation will be cut to a minimum, meaning players will fly interstate on game day wherever possible for evening fixtures.
"We're doing a number of things with regards to expenditure," Fitzgerald said yesterday.
"Times are tough and we need to implement appropriate measures as well and be more stringent in all our costs.
"[Coach] Daniel Anderson is keen to minimise the travel - he thinks it's the best way to go anyway."
Other key features of the plan include:
¡ Freezing all non-essential capital expenditure;
¡ Providing a greater range of ticketing options; and
¡ Involving the players more in the community.
The Eels board agreed at a meeting on Friday night to continue to spend up to the limit of the salary cap to ensure that the team remains competitive. However, costs are to be slashed in other areas.
Fitzgerald denied that the plan was a ploy to win win votes ahead of next month's elections.
"It's not about the elections, we've got to do these things to remain viable," he said.
"We've had good times where we've been able to do things such as purchase assets in the Parramatta area and fall back on that. We need to look at all out costs across the board for the leagues clubs and the football clubs."
Eels board member Geoff Gerard said that it was time for Parramatta followers to come together to ensure the survival of their team.
"My message is to all Parramatta supporters - we need to get on the same boat here," Gerard said. "Whether they agree with some of the things we do as a board of directors or whether they agree with what Denis does, we need to do this together.
"If people have ideas to improve our revenue or help our club, please come forward c Nothing is out of the realms of possibility as an idea we could take on board. We're a proud club and we'll get through this."
Fitzgerald said that all contracts would be honoured, although players outside the top 25-man squad could have their salaries reduced in the future.
"We've got to take the necessary steps to ensure we survive and come out the other end when the world economy improves," he said. "We've all got to do our best, the board and the management, just like any other company in the headlines across the world.
"Hopefully there will be better circumstances for the club industry as well."
Eels in bid to slash costs
Adrian Proszenko | March 8, 2009
THE new cut-price Eels will arrive just hours before several interstate games as part of chief executive Denis Fitzgerald's 13-point plan to save the club from financial extinction.
The Eels are under increasing financial pressure after Parramatta Leagues Club recorded a $7.8 million loss for 2008. Fitzgerald is also in a battle to retain control of the club - the long-serving administrator will be challenged at next month's leagues club elections by a contingent of former Eels headed by Terry Leadbeater.
Fitzgerald has responded to the challenges with a comprehensive plan he hopes will ensure the success of the Eels both on and off the field. The 13-point document, obtained by The Sun-Herald, indicates that Eels officials will now fly with the team only when absolutely necessary - and will do so in economy rather than business class.
The cutbacks also affect players. Overnight accommodation will be cut to a minimum, meaning players will fly interstate on game day wherever possible for evening fixtures.
"We're doing a number of things with regards to expenditure," Fitzgerald said yesterday.
"Times are tough and we need to implement appropriate measures as well and be more stringent in all our costs.
"[Coach] Daniel Anderson is keen to minimise the travel - he thinks it's the best way to go anyway."
Other key features of the plan include:
¡ Freezing all non-essential capital expenditure;
¡ Providing a greater range of ticketing options; and
¡ Involving the players more in the community.
The Eels board agreed at a meeting on Friday night to continue to spend up to the limit of the salary cap to ensure that the team remains competitive. However, costs are to be slashed in other areas.
Fitzgerald denied that the plan was a ploy to win win votes ahead of next month's elections.
"It's not about the elections, we've got to do these things to remain viable," he said.
"We've had good times where we've been able to do things such as purchase assets in the Parramatta area and fall back on that. We need to look at all out costs across the board for the leagues clubs and the football clubs."
Eels board member Geoff Gerard said that it was time for Parramatta followers to come together to ensure the survival of their team.
"My message is to all Parramatta supporters - we need to get on the same boat here," Gerard said. "Whether they agree with some of the things we do as a board of directors or whether they agree with what Denis does, we need to do this together.
"If people have ideas to improve our revenue or help our club, please come forward c Nothing is out of the realms of possibility as an idea we could take on board. We're a proud club and we'll get through this."
Fitzgerald said that all contracts would be honoured, although players outside the top 25-man squad could have their salaries reduced in the future.
"We've got to take the necessary steps to ensure we survive and come out the other end when the world economy improves," he said. "We've all got to do our best, the board and the management, just like any other company in the headlines across the world.
"Hopefully there will be better circumstances for the club industry as well."
