“Not for sale” Parramatta Eels to deal with privatisation fears at annual general meeting

PARRAMATTA Eels directors are concerned those responsible for a “smear campaign” have an agenda to privatise the club.

Clinton Gutherson and the Parramatta Eels cemented themselves in the NRL top eight with a 20-12 win against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs on Friday Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

PARRAMATTA Eels directors are concerned those responsible for a “smear campaign” have an agenda to privatise the club.

At the club’s annual general meeting this Monday, board members plan to declare the Eels “are not for sale” by proposing that any bid to privatise the club will require approval from the club’s large membership base.

It would put a significant brick wall in front of any privatisation bid.

Some board members believe those providing the leaks about alleged salary cap breaches are trying to destabilise the board so they can take over and privatise the club.

Strong performances from the Parramatta Eels players has offered fans plenty to cheer about despite the current salaary cap scandal. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Eels director Paul Garrard, who is also the Parramatta Lord Mayor, said it was important the Eels remain a community club – as it has been since its foundation in 1947.

“Something we are terribly concerned for is the privatisation of the Eels,” Mr Garrard said. “It is something that we will not tolerate and we will be seeking to ensure that any future board must have membership approval. Put simply, our club is not for sale.

“The smear campaign is a mere distraction from what we are trying to change. Ironically, those people who are doing it are no longer in the club.”

Parramatta eels board members Paul Garrard and Tanya Gadiel are concerned about an agenda to private the NRL club. Picture: Peter Kelly

Tanya Gadiel who, with Mr Garrard, was one of three new members elected to the board in May last year, said it was disappointing to see the club’s progress on and off the field had been overshadowed by the latest saga.

The NRL has conducted an investigation into allegations of third-party arrangements that could have breached the NRL’s salary cap rules.

Findings from the investigation are set to be revealed this week.

“Past administrations are seeking to undermine the successes of the current board,” Ms Gadiel said.

“Since Paul and I have been elected it has been the longest 11 months of our lives.

“The work put into the governance of the club through the PricewaterhouseCoopers’ recommendations will make us the best governed club in the NRL.

“There were 117 recommendations and 55 have already been implemented. The workload of this board has been enormous.”

Corey Norman and the Parramatta Eels won the game agaisnt the Bulldogs for team mate Kieran Foran, who was granted indefinite leave to deal with personal issues. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Both Mr Garrard and Ms Gadiel believe the Eels shouldn’t be docked points.

“It can only happen if it links the current administration to untoward dealings and I don’t think that is the case,” Ms Gadiel said.

“We have co-operated completely with the NRL with its investigation.

We look forward to it reaching its end and the truth emerging on all matters that are being investigated.”

Parramatta’s Semi Radradra provided a highlight in the 20-12 win when he ran over Bulldogs forward James Graham. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images