I am responding to postings #333993 (Moorih); and #334704 (Badwolf) inviting participation in the discussion regarding Member Elected Directors.
As one of those nominees, obviously I am looking for as much support as I can get.
I have accepted nomination for the position because I am keen to make an effective and valuable contribution to the future of the Club.
I am an inaugural member of the Club and as a continuous member I have enjoyed the development of its rivalry with other AFL participants and the development of its current strong financial and membership position.
I have always been impressed by Fremantle’s desire to be a family-friendly club and with further strengthening of membership, if elected I would work hard to ensure this vision is not lost.
My role would be to look at proposals from the perspective of all stakeholders including members, sponsors, players and supporters.
My primary focus would be to make sure appropriate structures are in place to ensure sustained on-field success.
All decisions should take account of whether they will enhance the prospect of sustained on-field success.
See below for my answers to some of the questions raised in this forum:
Q. What would you have done in Kate’s situation?
A. I would have questioned the level of consultation more than it appears to have been questioned at the time. I would have expressed a personal preference for the white on purple and purple on white as the two match day strips.
Q. Why do you want to be on the Board and what’s in it for us if we vote for you?
A. I want to use my experience to help a Club that I am passionate about. I am confident enough to represent the views of members and supporters and know that shareholder interests are often aligned with the interests of other stakeholders.
Q. What can you do to restore our real strip?
A. I can assure that the changes that have been implemented are monitored for sometime after implementation and recommend reintroduction of the anchor if membership and/or on-field performance is suffering as a result.
Q. If you were voted in and the Board wanted to steam-roll a change where the Fremantle was dropped, how would you handle this?
A. This is dear to my heart being a long-time South Fremantle supporter and my wife being a long-time East Fremantle supporter. I would vigorously oppose such a change and point out to other Board members that Manchester (United) and Collingwood have been extremely successful and expansive without having taken their original base out of their name.
Q. What can you do for us, the members?
A. I am one of you and have a family of members to remind me of this. Members are the Club’s greatest asset and therefore, generally, what are in members best interests are also in shareholders best interest. I will press for improved consultation and push for structures that ensure sustained on-field success even if they come at a short-term cost. For example, I would ensure research into reducing the impact of travel on player performance is a priority. We shouldn’t have to be 10% superior to compete equitably with Melbourne based Clubs for a premiership.
Q. Will you help remove the Steve’s?
A. This can’t be ruled out, but it is likely that Board support to remove the CEO and/or the Chairman will depend on their performance against agreed Key Performance Indicators. The two most significant KPI’s being membership numbers and on-field performance. Even if the outcomes are not due to them the reality is that if Fremantle doesn’t perform in these two critical areas then the pressure goes on them and if they do then the pressure comes off.
Q. If you were on the Board how can you prevent this from happening again?
A. I believe that there would have been lessons learnt from the recent change management exercise and reminders to improve on the process, where similar circumstances arise, should be readily received. My role would be to provide those reminders and ensure that more robust research and consultations is included in the process and to only support change from “accepted” positions if clear advancement will result.
Murray Browne
[email protected]
Freo forever
Heave Ho!
