Wests Tigers is once again in turmoil with former NSW premier and club chairman Barry O’Farrell sacked.
The NRL club’s majority owners, Holman Barnes Group, made the call on Monday with all four independent directors removed from the board.
O’Farrell, Annabelle Williams, Charlie Viola and Michelle McDowell are those that have been handed the removal notice.
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The four were only appointed last year after a review into the club’s governance made the recommendation for independent directors.
Charlie Viola, Shane Richardson, Barry O’Farrell, Charlie Viola, and Michelle McDowell. Steven Siewert
However, a statement from HBG revealed the organisations dissatisfaction with the system.
“Over such time, it has become evident that the current model has not provided the level of communication and alignment needed between the Wests Tigers and its parent entity, Holman Barnes Group,” the statement read.
“To strengthen governance and ensure clearer visibility and collaboration across both organisations, a notice of removal has been issued to the independent directors of the Wests Tigers board.”
HBG ensured it had full faith in chief executive Shane Richardson and coach Benji Marshall.
HBG chief executive Daniel Paton was also quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald saying “the Holman Barnes group has been left in the dark on some commercially sensitive announcements”.
The Herald reports that one issue presented by HBG was that next season’s home jersey was too gold, the colour which represents the Balmain Tigers faction of the merger between Balmain and Wests Magpies.
