It won’t quite attract the global cut through of the upcoming United States election but a group of champion Parramatta players have taken a leaf out of Donald Trump’s play book with a view to overthrowing the current Eels administration.
Whereas Trump has shot to worldwide notoriety on the back of his “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan the disgruntled ex-Eels players are attached to a committee titled “Make Parra Matter Again – it’s time for change”.
The drums have been beating for the past couple of months about a push to oust the current Parramatta decision-makers who have overseen the club going from a grand final in 2022 to fighting to avoid the wooden spoon against Wests Tigers on Friday night.
Who’s involved in the push for change? Only three of the greatest Parramatta players of all time.
Retired champion Eels Brett Kenny, Ray Price, Eric Grothe Snr, Eric Grothe Jnr, Ben Smith and David Liddiard have all thrown their support behind the Make Parra Matter Again committee who are calling for signatures to force an Extraordinary General Meeting.
The committee has hatched a plan calling on eligible Parramatta Leagues club voting members to sign a petition which allows them to call for an overhaul of the current Leagues Club directors.
If the group is successful in overthrowing the current Parramatta Leagues Club board then they can push to overthrow the Eels directors on the existing Parramatta NRL board.
While board room politics can often make most fans glaze over in this instance given the way the Eels have spectacularly unravelled it’s a significant development.
Given the committee also has the backing of several big-name retired Eels players it also seems destined to gain plenty of traction.
The committee need 200 signatures to call an EGM and are aiming to get it all rock and rolling within the next fortnight.
From there they need to win four seats on the seven-person Parramatta Leagues Club board.
In a statement calling for signatures pushing for the Extraordinary General Meeting, committee member Michael Barrilaro said: “The current administration has consistently fallen short of expectations. We have witnessed a decline in on-field performance, a toxic culture, and a complete disconnect between the club and its supporters. It is clear that a fresh approach is desperately needed.
“The committee is dedicated to restoring the Parramatta Eels to what they believe is their rightful place at the pinnacle of rugby league. They have a clear vision for the Club’s future, backed by a proven track record of success. The ‘Make Parra Matter Again’ plan focuses on three key pillars.
“The first step towards rebuilding the Parramatta Eels is to wrest control from the current governing body. The Club’s constitution currently restricts the power of voting members to hold the board accountable for football performance. This is unacceptable.
“We will fight to change this, giving fans a genuine voice in the direction of the Club. By replacing four directors on the Parramatta Leagues Club board, we can establish a majority and begin the process of overhauling the entire organisation.
“The Parramatta Eels have a rich history filled with legendary players and unforgettable moments. However, in recent years, there has been a growing disconnect between the Club and its former greats.
“We believe that reconnecting with our past is essential to building a successful future. Our committee’s mission is to re-engage with former players, inviting them back into the fold, and leveraging their expertise to mentor and inspire the next generation of Eels.
“By bringing together the best of the past with the promise of the future, we can create a unified Club that is capable of achieving greatness.”
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