OPINION:Rallying cry for our team
By JASON HALLJune 23, 2015, 9:37 p.m.
​THE Knights were once the very heart of the Hunter. Famous grand-final victories in 1997 and 2001 gave us immense pride. But it’s now been 14 years since our last grand-final win and an entire generation of Hunter kids are growing up knowing the Knights only as perennial also-rans, never contenders. We have lost our way as a club and we are fast losing the hearts (and wallets) of the Hunter, something that was unthinkable 10 years ago.
Many believe the Newcastle Knights need to find their way again.
Success in the NRL isn’t easy, particularly given the uneven playing field. Money talks, but success doesn’t come down to just money however and, in fact, less affluent clubs can still be successful if they are smart and driven in what they do.
Something must change.
The Hunter deserves a club that, from board and CEO to ballboy, demands the best and expects to be a contender every year. In the Knights situation, being so reliant on sponsor and supporter derived income, success is necessary to ensure financial viability – which is necessary to ensure future success.
Can we truly expect to sign more members, more sponsors, fill corporate boxes and attract, develop or keep top talent while missing the finals in six of the last 10 years? In those 10 years, we’ve won three finals games in total and Manly has made four grand finals. We need new thinking, new ideas and new focus.
Our group felt strongly enough about the situation to initiate the Knights rebuild campaign. Our campaign centres on three key points: accountability, cultural change and commitment to excellence.
Firstly, it’s about accountability at all levels within the club, the board, players, coaches and staff. The club at present seems to lack accountability; there is lots of talk but little ownership. Where is the passion, the pride, the attitude and the intent, sentiments that built this great club and are seemingly now just words? We hear about it but, with few exceptions, we don’t see it.
Successful clubs demand accountability at every level. They imbed success in the club’s DNA with the pursuit of success at the heart of every decision and action. Is our club tough enough or committed enough to do what needs to be done or are we just happy to be in the NRL?
We seek cultural change within the club, not because we want it, but rather because the club needs it. Successful clubs do whatever is necessary to be successful, they demand the best and are ruthless in achieving it as they know it’s the only way to survive and thrive.
Our club used to pride itself on its strong culture. It seems a long time since we have demonstrated the principles the club was founded on. Without cultural renewal – a critical discussion on what we want to be and what we need to be – we will only ever be also-rans.
Finally, we need to focus the club on a commitment to excellence. It’s time to break the mould and question every assertion and assumption associated with the club.
Excellence regenerates the sponsorship base and locks in the next generation of supporters. It makes juniors easier to retain and new recruits easier to attract. Excellence provides unparalleled levels of community engagement.
Many supporters joined the Tinkler circus because the previous structure hadn’t moved us forward, but after the HSG reign we’ve reverted back to the original structures and philosophies that drove us into the arms of Tinkler in the first place. Doing the same things and expecting different results is the textbook definition of insanity.
Let’s not limit our thinking on any aspect of the club, let’s pursue relentlessly being the best in everything we do, whether it’s the game day experience, our junior squads, team performance, commercial outcomes or recruitment and retention.
Embrace the best irrespective of origin. Get the best players, use the best systems, recruit the best staff and engage the best supporters. Don’t compromise on that philosophy ever again as it invariably breeds mediocrity.
Does anyone care where players or processes come from if they deliver success? Frankly, I think as a city and region we are better than that and it should never be part of the equation.
Our group has limitless aspiration for the club but accepting the status quo will not unlock the undoubted potential and deliver the success we supporters desire and the club desperately needs.
Gandhi once said “Be the change you want to see in the world”. Our group is committed to driving meaningful change in our club, join with us as we strive to make the Newcastle Knights the club the Hunter deserves.
Follow us on facebook.com/KnightsRebuild and Twitter @knightsrebuild
Jason Hall is a long-term Newcastle Knights supporter, season ticket holder and spokesman for the Knights Rebuild campaign
