Wests Tigers pull trigger on seismic board changes in effort to revive struggling club

The most significant shake-up in Wests Tigers history has claimed two of the club’s biggest scalps after the board effectively signed their own death warrant. How the extraordinary events unfolded.

Former South Sydney boss Shane Richardson. Digital image by Gregg Porteous NRL Photos

The most significant shake-up in Wests Tigers history has claimed two of the club’s biggest scalps.

Chair Lee Hagipantelis and chief executive Justin Pascoe are gone as part of a massive overhaul designed to lift the much-maligned Tigers out of their quagmire.

Hagipantelis and Pascoe learned of their fate on Tuesday - 24 hours ahead of the original plan - after this masthead caught wind of the imminent changes at the club following a three-month review into governance of the joint venture.

Both men were understood to be upset with the decision - Hagipantelis, who is also the Tigers’ major sponsor, was ousted after the club’s shareholders decided to dissolve the board while Pascoe resigned after being told that the independent review into club recommended a fresh start.

All told, it is understood there were more than 50 recommendations made by the review, which was carried out by former NRL chief financial officer Tony Crawford and Gary Barnier, the managing director of Benchmarking Matters and Cooperage Capital.

The Tigers’ major shareholders, Holman Barnes Group, commissioned the review after a petition by disgruntled fans and then voted in favour of the recommendations on Monday night, effectively signing their own death warrant as board members of the football club.

Shane Richardson will join the Wests Tigers. Picture: NRL Photos

Balmain and Western Suburbs directors also endorsed the changes. The Tigers’ new leadership structure will be headed up in an interim capacity by former NSW premier Barry O’Farrell and ex-South Sydney chief executive Shane Richardson.

Richardson, who led Penrith and the Rabbitohs to premierships will face the media on Wednesday. He has signed an initial deal for six months but it is understood his tenure could be extended if he wanted to stay.

He has plenty to do - among the priorities will be to resolve the future of winger David Nofoaluma, catch up on negotiations with Jarome Luai and Addin Fonua-Blake, and end the lingering tension between coach Benji Marshall and recruitment chief Scott Fulton.

The Tigers initially had a meeting of the football club board scheduled for Tuesday night but it was delayed by 24 hours - and then scrapped altogether - as news leaked through of the imminent changes.

O’Farrell will return for his second stint as chair albeit in an interim capacity - he was appointed to the role four years ago but departed after less than 12 months due to other commitments.

Hagipantelis, who is also the Tigers’ major sponsor, has been at the helm of the club for four years but had no say in his future given power to make change resides with the club’s shareholders - the Holman Barnes Group, Wests and Balmain.

He has been the public face of the club during his time in charge, always fronting up and defending the club.

It is understood he was seething at the way he was blindsided by his axing as chair. His sponsorship of the club has one more year to run and officials will need to mend fences if it is to continue beyond that.

CEO Justin Pascoe (L) is out, while Barry O’Farrell heads up the new structure. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

The Tigers confirmed that the board had been reduced from seven members to four during a transition period - the new board will be made up of O’Farrell and a representative of each of the three Wests Tigers shareholders – Dave Gilbert for Holman Barnes, Danny Stapleton for Balmain and a nomination from the Wests Magpies. The changes are subject to legal approvals.

O’Farrell and Richardson will begin their roles in the new year. Holman Barnes chair Tony Andreacchio said the appointments would give the Wests Tigers the strong and experienced leadership that the club needed at this time.

“We are determined to be successful for our members and fans and that process begins in the front office,” he said.

Tony Andreacchio (second from left) with the former Wests Tigers board in 2014. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Andreacchio thanked Hagipantelis and Pascoe for their dedication and hard work for the Wests Tigers. “Lee and Justin faced enormous challenges, but they have left a legacy which gives us a strong base for the future,” he said. “In particular, they leave us with a world class Centre of Excellence and the club is in a stronger financial position because of the relationships they established with sponsors and other supporters.” Andreacchio said Holman Barnes believed it was important to move quickly to accept the key recommendation to appoint a new leadership team without delay. “But one thing is clear – this club is determined to provide the leadership required to be successful in the NRL.”

Danny Stapleton, chair of Balmain, said it was significant that all shareholders were united in supporting the changes.

“We all share one goal – to see the Wests Tigers again become a real force in the NRL on and off the field,” he said.

Dennis Burgess, Wests Magpies chairman, said the club fully endorsed the review’s recommendations because they will be key to the Wests Tigers’ future success.

Originally published as Wests Tigers pull trigger on seismic board changes in effort to revive struggling club