The Wests Tigers find themselves at the centre of a rapidly intensifying storm, with newly appointed interim CEO Shaun Mielekamp urging calm and togetherness at a time when fans are preparing to take to the streets in frustration. As internal upheaval continues to unfold within one of the NRL’s most historically embattled clubs, supporters are gearing up for a public rally to voice their dissatisfaction with the recent decisions of the Holman Barnes Group (HBG), the club’s majority shareholder.
Mielekamp, stepping into the interim CEO role amid the turmoil, has attempted to steady the ship by expressing firm confidence in head coach Benji Marshall and reaffirming the club’s backing for his long-term extension. Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, he stressed the importance of unity as the club navigates one of the most chaotic periods in its recent history.
“There’s a collective agreement that Benji is vital in keeping the unity and stability of the club, and we’re backing him,” Mielekamp told The Sydney Morning Herald.
He added that, despite the heated environment, the people he has met across the organisation are aligned in their goals and ambitions.
“The reason I’ve got confidence is everybody I’ve met – every board and every stakeholder – they all want the same thing.”
Amid the executive reshuffles and boardroom tensions, Marshall’s leadership has become even more crucial. The Tigers legend, already holding a significant place within the club’s identity, recently secured a new deal extending his coaching tenure until 2030. While his future now appears settled, the club is still working to secure commitments from key players Jahream Bula and Jarome Luai — the backbone of the team’s upcoming era.
According to Mielekamp, securing their futures remains a top priority.
“It’s at the top of the pile,” he said regarding Luai and Bula.
“We’ve got two guys who want to be here, who want to be with the coach.
“We’ve got good people, so I’m sure that things will work out pretty positively. Let’s just take a breath and just move forward.”
Despite his interim title, Mielekamp has made it clear he is approaching the role with long-term intent and ambition. He described his passion for the club and his determination to earn the job permanently through the strength of his performance.
“I’m really excited about the interim role, and I’m going to really lean into it and embrace that,” Mielekamp said.
“It is in my DNA, so I will work extremely hard and of course I want to do such a good job that it’s impossible for me not to be the CEO long-term.
“What I do know is if I do a tremendous job and they appoint someone else, they’re going to be brilliant because they’re going to have to do a better job than what I’ve done.
“But absolutely – do I see that I’m going to deliver so well in this job that I’ll be the long-term CEO? That’s the goal.”
However, even with the reinstatement of previously dismissed independent directors and the appointment of an interim CEO, supporters are refusing to be placated. Dissatisfaction continues to simmer, and many fans are adamant that the changes represent little more than superficial damage control.
Inner West mayor Darcy Byrne confirmed that the planned ‘Save the Wests Tigers’ rally will go ahead as scheduled, arguing that the reinstated directors still lack the influence needed to correct the governance issues that have plagued the club.
Byrne was emphatic when speaking about the situation:
“Saturday’s rally to save Wests Tigers will proceed with a demand for real change and a real say for fans at the club,” Byrne said on SEN radio.
He criticised the power dynamics within the boardroom, suggesting that regardless of who returns, the Holman Barnes Group will still exert overarching authority.
“The reported reinstatement of the sacked independent directors to Wests Tigers board will make zero difference to the governance of Wests Tigers if the board is stacked with a majority of Holman Barnes Group appointees.
“Without a majority-independent board of Wests Tigers, this manoeuvre is just a fig-leaf to cover up the coup that has been conducted by the powerbrokers at Holman-Barnes Group.
“Or to put it another way, Holman-Barnes Group seem to be trying to put lipstick on a pig.”
Byrne further argued that even if the reinstatement acknowledges the poor treatment of the dismissed directors, reinstating them without real power is meaningless.
“These independent directors would simply be toothless tigers, and this would leave Wests Tigers in the same chaotic and dysfunctional state.
“Our rally to save Wests Tigers will proceed this Saturday at Pratten Park from 10:30am because without real change, the team we love will be out the back door.”
In an attempt to reconnect with frustrated supporters, Mielekamp has spent time personally contacting members who have expressed anger or even demanded refunds.
“I’ve actually spent all morning calling members, every second I get a gap,” he said.
“I’ll call every member that’s asked for a refund, that’s written in and made a complaint. I’ve got through some, I’ve got a lot to get to.
“My message to the members is every member can come and meet me directly. As part of your membership you do have a voice and you have the opportunity to come and meet me … All our members want the same thing. So let’s communicate.”
While Mielekamp’s proactive approach has been welcomed by some, the wider question remains: can the Tigers stabilise internally before external pressure forces deeper reform? With fans preparing to march and governance disputes unresolved, the path forward is likely to remain turbulent — even as the club strives for unity.
