Karl Wernham previously axed from Griffith University Colleges Knights before being ousted by Helensvale Hogs

The fallout from Karl Wernham’s axing from Helensvale Rugby Union Club continues, with revelations the former Hogs president was previously banned from a rival Gold Coast club. FULL DETAILS HERE

THE fallout from Karl Wernham’s axing from Helensvale Rugby Union Club continues, with revelations the former Hogs president was previously banned from a rival Gold Coast club.

Wernham was forced to stand down as president of the Hogs in the past week after a meeting with the committee following a breakdown in relations between he and members of the club.

It can now be revealed Wernham was banned from Griffith University Colleges Knights around a decade ago after relationships between he and other members soured due to off-field issues.

It’s understood the Helensvale Hogs committee will operate without a president in the interim until a replacement is elected.

Karl Wernham pictured tackling Palm Beach player Lachie Stewart. Picture: Mike Batterham

The news of Wernham’s axing sent shockwaves through the Hogs community, with many unaware of the inner-battle happening between high profile stakeholders.

Members had made moves to oust Wernham, who also played second grade for the club, in the lead up to the club’s annual general meeting on January 22, asking him to stand down in the lead up to the summit.

But Wernham garnered enough support to be re-elected, instigating the exit of the some first, second and third grade men’s players and some senior female players.

Wernham’s departure looks to have come too late to lure those players back, with most signing to play for rival clubs already.

It cripples Helensvale’s 2022 campaign given those players helped take the club to four grand finals in 2021.

The Bulletin has made numerous attempts to contact Wernham but has received no response.

EARLIER

GOLD Coast rugby powerhouse Helensvale Hogs are in crisis on the cusp of the season having ousted its president amid a mass walkout of players.

The Hogs are fractured just months after the club’s first, second and third grade men’s teams and senior women’s sides featured in their respective grand finals.

Relationships between coaches and players broke down with president Karl Wernham, who was re-elected into his role on January 22.

Coaches and players opted to leave following the decision and last week Helensvale’s committee made the decision to remove Wernham and his partner Charina Flaherty, who was the women’s co-ordinator, from their roles.

A statement to members read: “It is with regret that the committee advise that Karl Wernham and Charina Flaherty have been stood down from their respective committee roles as president and women’s co-ordinator.”

Helensvale players pictured during the 2021 Gold Coast District Rugby Union (GCDRU) Grand Final. Picture: Mike Batterham

But the damage has already been done. A raft of disenfranchised first grade players have joined former Hogs coach Taione Vea, who won a premiership with the club in 2019, at Surfers Paradise while others have joined Nerang.

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Roscoe Deacon has walked away from the first grade coaching role in 2022 due to a lack of numbers, the club is scrambling to get a second grade team, the third grade side has virtually all gone to the Coomera Crushers and it’s understood many female players have left.

Half of the under-18s male players have also gone to Surfers Paradise.

Wernham has not returned multiple calls from the Bulletin for comment.