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This isn't the wests tigers board, it's wests leagues club ashfield.
Every article I read about the west tigers ownership structure leaves me with a headache. Is it just me?Long-term debenture holder calls for Wests Tigers’ ownership structure system to be blown up
The infighting between the owners of the Wests Tigers has exploded with one-long time debenture holder calling for the system to be scrapped immediately.
One of the longest serving debenture holders at the Holman Barnes Group – the owners of the Wests Tigers – has sensationally called for the ownership structure to be changed immediately in the wake of three board members being banned.
John Hardgrove – who has been a debenture holder for more than three decades – said it is time for a major revamp of the Holman Barnes Group governance structure.
The debenture agreement was launched in 1955 as part of the formation of Wests Ashfield Leagues Club to assist with the running of the Western Suburbs Magpies. The debenture system has remained even through the many changes which have occurred in the past 70 years including a merger with Balmain.
The debenture system consisting of 20 people appoints from within five people to sit on the Holman Barnes Group board.
It costs just $100 to join the elite group.
John Hardgrove (R) has called for the club to restructure its ownership model. Picture: John Appleyard
Two other board members are elected via a membership vote by the membership of the Holmans Group clubs which includes Wests Ashfield.
“The debenture system has served its purpose,” Hardgrove said. “I supported the system up until now because it served its original purpose of protecting the assets of the club and the support of rugby league.
“What’s happening now is outside the original intent of the group. We need to look at another system that will protect the interests of the club, its assets and the long history of a foundation rugby league club as well as the Wests Tigers.
“The debenture system is no longer fit for purpose. A new system needs to be developed and this could require an administrator to be appointed while this is being done.
“What has been done to these three people is grossly unfair and lacks procedural fairness.”
Recently banned duo Rick Wayde and Tony Andreacchio were elected by the members while fellow exiled board member David Gilbert was one of five debenture board members.
While there are a maximum of 20 debenture holders there are just 16 active debenture members.
Wests Tigers Clean-out
Players released from the club for 2025 despite being contracted:
They include; Hardgrove, Gilbert and current Holman Barnes board of directors Julie Romero, Dennis Burgess, Stephen Montgomery and Vince Tropiano.
- John Bateman (Cowboys),
- Isaiah Papali'I (Panthers),
- Jayden Sullivan (Rabbitohs)
Other debenture holders include Kevin Hammond, Daniel Lane, Clare Burgess, Fiona Shand, Russell Smith, Brian Cook, Mick Liubinskas, Scott Beynon and Peter DiMichiel (chairman).
Paul Marsh – who acted for Gilbert, Wayde and Andreacchio in their dealings against Holman Barnes – is also a debenture holder.
Wayde was banned for eight years, Andreacchio (six) and Gilbert (six months) for a range of alleged misdemeanours.
“The penalties are a joke,” Hardgrove said. “I’ve seen what they were charged with and the penalty they were given. The penalty does not fit the alleged crime even if you believe they deserved some sort of penalty.
“What they have been given is a joke and seems to be ploy for other people to gain even more control.”
Can the club ignore the off-field dramas and perform on the field in 2025?
The debenture holders meet six times a year but because of the ongoing conflict there has not been a formal meeting since October.
“The meeting was called off in December but the Christmas dinner went ahead,” Hardgrove said. “It was fairly tense.”
Two debenture holders are to be appointed to the Holman Barnes Group next month.
Gilbert and Dennis Burgess are up for re-election.
Meanwhile, a fan led petition calling for a review into the Holman Barnes Group has attracted more than 1000 signatures. The Wests Tigers Unite fan-base are calling for change.
“The Wests Tigers need to stand on its own two feet and have the best possible representation at board level,” said Wests Tigers United spokesman Joel Helmes. “We have been a fan base who have been divided foes 25 years, this is the moment the club comes together once and for all.”
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