Dear Members and supporters,
Today the Board of the Parramatta Leagues Club has reviewed the preliminary breach notice issued to the Parramatta National Rugby League Club this week by the National Rugby League (NRL) in detail and resolved to challenge the ruling on a range of matters.
The club has been working with the NRL regarding its inherited salary cap position since originally drawing it to the attention of the NRL in July 2013, and again on multiple occasions throughout 2014. The club believes the proposed penalties do not acknowledge Parramatta’s willingness to be open and transparent with the NRL at all times.
The club’s view is that the threat of deducting competition points is a breach of trust from the NRL against a club that has already instituted sweeping reforms across the organisation.
The current Eels administration is the only NRL club administration to have attempted constitutional change consistent with the NRL’s governance policy; and the only current NRL club with a constitutional reform committee, led by a newly-elected and united Board, with a diverse skill set and experience, committed to initiating further corporate governance changes.
The Board has also resolved to appoint PWC Australia to conduct a review of the club’s NRL operations and is confident this will demonstrate the success of the reforms already undertaken by the Eels administration.
As the NRL acknowledged and made clear on Thursday, our club is compliant across all four NRL and NYC salary caps for 2015 and forecast to be so again in 2016.
The Board, management, coaching staff and players are committed to delivering a positive future for the Parramatta Eels.
Stay strong, stay united, stay Blue and Gold.
Steve Sharp
Chairman