Wests Tigers new interim CEO Shaun Mielekamp has promised to speak personally with every disgruntled fan of the club, adamant unity is within reach at Concord.
Installed on an interim basis this week, Mielekamp’s first public duty on Friday was to trumpet coach Benji Marshall’s new extension until the end of 2030.
The Tigers are hopeful Marshall’s new deal will help bring about much-needed stability, and convince the likes of Jarome Luai and Jahream Bula to stay long term.
But several questions still remain off the field, with a fan rally calling for ownership change set for Saturday and a crucial board meeting on Monday.
It is anticipated Barry O’Farrell and two other independent directors will return to the board ahead of that meeting, with a fourth in Charlie Viola unlikely to do so.
But while owners the Holman Barnes Group (HBG) bowed to NRL pressure to reverse the independents’ removals, the power balance will shift.
Where a fortnight ago there were four, two HBG members and a Balmain representative, HBG’s number of directors will now increase to a majority of five.
There was also further upheaval on Friday, with HBG chairman Dennis Burgess confirming he would step down from the board.
That decision came after it emerged his Instagram account followed hundreds of sexually-explicit pages.
Burgess has insisted he was no longer in control of the account.
It comes as Inner West Council mayor Darcy Byrne continues to push ahead with plans for a rally of fans in Ashfield on Saturday, demanding changes to the HBG board.
Mielekamp said on Friday every fan had a right to have a voice in the matter, but made clear his door would be open to them.
“I’ve spent the last 48 hours calling as many members of West Tigers that I could,” Mielekamp said.
“Members who have been disillusioned, members who are asking for refunds, members who have you know really worried about what’s going on with the club.
“Every member of Wests Tigers can contact the club and can find time to speak with myself and representatives of the club.
“You’ve got a voice here with me and I want to hear it and I want to listen.”
In a first-up address as interim CEO, Mielekamp declared he wanted the Wests Tigers name to remain.
He also made clear he intended to keep the club’s stadium policy of playing four home games at Leichhardt Oval and at least seven at Campbelltown Sports Stadium from 2029.
Mielekamp was also confident he would not face micromanagement from the board, and could make decisions in the same way Shane Richardson did before his exit.
Mielekamp is now the front-runner to become the permanent CEO, after spending nine years keeping the cash-strapped Central Coast Mariners alive in the A-League.
“My previous experience does mean that I’ve definitely been through some tough times,” Mielekamp said.
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