Wests Tigers owners hit back at public scrutiny after three Holman Barnes Group board members receive bans

The Holman Barnes Group have hit back at critics in the wake of banning three board members, addressing wild speculation in a strongly worded 15-point rant.

The owners of the Wests Tigers have issued a heavy handed 15-point rant in a bid to hose down speculation surrounding the Holman Barnes Group in recent weeks.

The workings of the Holman Barnes Group has been brought into the spotlight following a decision to ban three board members with the sanction handed down on New Year’s Eve.

Rick Wayde was banned for eight years, Tony Andreacchio (six) and David Gilbert (six months) for a range of alleged misdemeanours. The statement does not directly address the reasons for banishing the trio.

The Holman Barnes Group have hit back at critics, after three board members were banned.

It has sparked scrutiny from the Liquor and Gaming NSW while one of the longest serving debenture holders John Hardgrove has called for the scrapping of the current ownership structure.

The constant headlines has forced Holman Barnes Group to address their plight in a strongly worded notice to its members.

They have labelled some of the reporting as “false and divisive” and said some of it was “nonsense and scandalous gossip”.

Former Wests Club president John Hardgrove (right) has called for the current Tigers ownership structure to be scrapped. Picture: John Appleyard

The 1000-word statement goes on to address matters using dot points with “FACT” at the front of each one.

It included;

– The Holman Barnes Group is absolutely and unequivocally committed to the joint venture. We’re also proud of the amazing achievements and histories of Wests Magpies and Balmain Tigers respectively. Any reporting or suggestion that we’re not committed to Wests Tigers is untrue.

– At the end of the 2023 NRL season, the Holman Barnes Group commissioned an all- encompassing review into the governance of Wests Tigers. We stand by the recommendations in that review, which were adopted unanimously by the board in December 2023.

– The review recommendations have largely been implemented.

– The review recommends the appointment of four independent directors, one of whom shall be chair. The review recommends an externally led, independent recruitment process. This process is nearing completion.

– (Tigers chairman) Barry O’Farrell has no issue in applying and understands he was initially on the board in an interim capacity.

– Wests Tigers operations, including the football department is independent of Holman Barnes Group.

Tony Andreacchio and Rick Wayde were among the three board members banned.

The statement goes on to defend the debenture system which essentially hands control of the Holman Barnes Group to 16 active members.

“The structure of Holman Barnes Group has served the club and community well for 69 years,” the statement read. “The debenture holder system enabled our club to open its doors in 1955. Beyond this, the system has ensured stability in an ever changing environment.

“Debenture holders are first and foremost club members who undergo a rigorous screening process to obtain a debenture, which is issued for a five-year period. The debenture may or may not be renewed beyond that time following further governance processes.

“Debenture holders are nominated for election to the board and indeed it is our members who confirm that nomination and election to the board at each relevant annual general meeting.”

A debenture holder meeting is scheduled for next month.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne described the statement as “very confusing”.

“How can they issue an update about the crisis without even mentioning the fact that half the Board has just been expelled,” Byrne said. “There is a growing realisation amongst club members that this chaos can’t go on any longer and something must be done.

“The idea that 18 people can continue to have complete control over a club membership of 27,000 is just plain wrong.”

Originally published as Wests Tigers owners hit back at public scrutiny after three Holman Barnes Group board members receive bans