MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD - Parramatta Leagues Club
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD

2 Oct, 2020

Directors’ Update To Members

Dear Members,

It has been just over 6 months since the appointment of the Parramatta Leagues Club Board of Directors. The Directors, all committed Members of the Club, have proved to be an extremely well qualified group of professionals, working well together and feeling most optimistic about the Club’s future.

In earlier communications, we committed to keeping Members regularly informed of the Club’s progress.

Recent Club Performance
Everyone can appreciate that the COVID period has been an extremely challenging time. We are proud to say that the Club’s focus on safety and cleanliness and the health of our Members and staff, has meant that the Club has been open for every minute allowed. We congratulate Chief Executive Officer Bevan Paul, Chief Operating Officer Chris Dimou and his operations staff and indeed all the staff and management of the Club for maintaining such a high standard. This has helped our many Members to feel safe, and comfortable to return and enjoy the Club’s facilities. Because of this great work, the Club is trading well and its overall financial position remains sound, despite the impacts of COVID-19.

We look forward to further easing of restrictions in the near future, and a return closer to our normal ways of life.

Planning For The Future
In previous updates, we have highlighted our commitment to make our Club the best it can be. Your Directors are working with our CEO and the Executive Management Team to formulate a new strategic plan to achieve just that. The Club has retained specialists KPMG to support us to gain the best results.

To ensure we fully incorporate the views of our most important stakeholders, you our Members, we recently conducted an extensive Member Survey.

We thank each of the many Members who completed that survey. Your feedback is invaluable. This reflects the listening process that your Directors hold central to how we operate.

One message we heard clearly is the need to refresh the Leagues Club premises. That is a major focus which Directors aim to address. A first step has already been taken, with the Board authorising the expenditure of over $1 million to remove the temporary blue safety mesh, and repair the external walls of the Club which were damaged by extreme weather in 2019. This work is scheduled to be completed by early 2021. COVID permitting, Directors plan to meet Members at the Club as soon as practical, to personally discuss Club matters such as this.

Community Support
The Club has a great track record of community support, something your Directors plan to continue and enhance. In fact, in the period 2014-2020 we have provided a total of almost $7 million to community and sporting organisations through ClubGRANTS – averaging nearly $1 million per year.

Local community is a central part of the mission and purpose of our Club. Some of our recent contributions include $29,000 in donations to provide care packs to our Members in need during the height of social isolation and to assist Parramatta Junior Rugby League and local charities with additional expenses faced due to coronavirus such as funding of “COVID Packs” containing sanitiser and other essentials.

Parra Leagues is also sponsoring the Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence (WSABE) for the 4th consecutive year. The 30th annual awards evening is set to take place in November. This year it is more important than ever to support Western Sydney businesses.

Parramatta Eels
Congratulations to the players, coaches, staff and Directors of the Parramatta Eels on achieving 3rd place on the Premiership ladder, thereby qualifying for the Finals in an all-important Top 4 position for a shot at our first title since 1986.

We’re very proud of the Eels organisation and can only be impressed with the way the Eels Board and Management have created a stable environment for the coaches and players to achieve success in this most unpredictable season. As the mighty Jack Gibson famously said, “Winning starts in the front office” and these results are a great reflection of the Eels front office, as well as the playing and coaching team.

Off the field, the Board and Management have also had great success in improving the finances of the Eels in many ways, thereby reducing the financial contribution needed from the Leagues Club, and freeing up much needed cash to direct towards facilities for Parra Leagues Members.

We wish the Eels all success in the upcoming finals matches, starting on Saturday night against Melbourne Storm.

Best wishes to all, stay safe, and as always,

Go Parra!

Greg Monaghan 
President  Parra Leagues

On behalf of Directors:
Darren Adam, Joy Cusack, Richard Foda, Mark Jenkins and Phil Sim 

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