Board Candidate: Colin Youren

Gary Shadforth

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Oct 15, 2003
Posts
6,588
Likes
17
Location
Coolangatta Queensland
AFL Club
Hawthorn
Thread starter #1
Firstly, in writing this it is not an advocacy to elect Colin to the club’s Board at next Wednesday’s AGM but is and obversation of the remarks he has made in his spiel in promoting his cause.

However, I have taken onboard what he is saying - all very much food for thought as he considers the club is facing a critical time in it’s long history.

Colin, presently a company director and general manager of a large international company, was a member of the club’s first premiership team in 1961. He is not coming from an omniscience stance in what he is saying but to my mind of all the candidates he is one who has brought to the members’ attention critical fronts of just where our club presently stands - in particular about finance, team performance and administration.

Extract from Colin’s candidate statement:-

“The current Board's main aim has been sound financial management as distinct from success on the field and winning premierships. As a result, in recent years, we have had one of the worst performing football sides in the AFL But we are also now under financial pressure without the AFL Waverley compensation payments of around $l million a year.

"2004 was a catastrophic year. The Club was humiliated both on and off the field. Our Club was a laughing stock and our management was dysfunctional. The Club lost its way.

"In 2005 the Club has continued to struggle. The changes to the football administration will not guarantee success. It seems our future hopes now rest on an inexperienced coaching staff and young recruits and a new base at Waverley. Now is a critical time in our Club's history.

“I believe that the number one motivator, and the number one objective, should be winning Premierships. Whilst financial security is vital, success on the field is the best way to attract greater membership and financial support. This change of emphasis, as demonstrated in recent years by Brisbane and Sydney, is paramount.

“I am concerned that our facilities at Waverley may not be member friendly. I do not believe that the current Board has designed Waverley to encourage members to support our team as it trains even though this was stated by the Board, at the outset, to be one of the prime objectives in the Waverley move. We must make sure that we do not have a training venue remote from our supporter base where the direct involvement of members and supporters is lost. It was precisely this association that historically made us the family club and the envy of our competitors.

“I am also concerned about the future of Ausdoc (Glenferrie Oval) and the Linda Crescent Social Club. Our great Club suffered through loss of members when we moved to Carlton in the 1970s, away from our Glenferrie power base. We must ensure that our Club's fabric and membership are not undermined again when we move to Waverley.

“I sincerely hope and trust that Jeff Kennett will bring good leadership and a refreshing change to the Club as president. But, a balanced board, comprising capable directors, and representing a mix of skills and the diverse views of members, should not just be handpicked by one Individual from within the Club. We have been down that road before.

“The democratic process safeguarded by the Club's constitution means that members of the Club with different skill sets should be democratically elected.
As an Independent Board member, I guarantee members that I will bring an Independent vision to your Board and will do everything within my abilities to return the Club to its former greatness”.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
He has given a lot of food for thought - what are yours?

(I cant get to Melbourne for Wednesday’s AGM and have faxed to Colin my proxy voting form).
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Hodgie15

Team Captain
Joined
Oct 1, 2004
Posts
363
Likes
0
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
Hawthorn
#2
what is is elections thing :confused:
ive been gettin all these memebr only emails frolm the club about it and im like wtf ?!?

so wat is it about..it also says sumthing if u can elect u have to send some fax or somthing.. im confused
 

Gary Shadforth

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Oct 15, 2003
Posts
6,588
Likes
17
Location
Coolangatta Queensland
AFL Club
Hawthorn
Thread starter #3
croadys_girl said:
what is is elections thing :confused:
ive been gettin all these memebr only emails frolm the club about it and im like wtf ?!?

so wat is it about..it also says sumthing if u can elect u have to send some fax or somthing.. im confused
croadys_girl, as a member you are entitled to vote at next Wednesday's AGM at the Hawthorn Town Hall. Elections are being held to elect directors (two duly retiring and seeking re-election and 2 new) standing for two vacant positions on the board and, as well, voting on motions calling for amendments to the club's constitution. You would have received explanatory notes in these matters. So you have the opportunity to vote for whom you would like to hold the board positions and to approve or disapprove the proposed changes to the constitution.

You can vote in person or, if you cant attend, appoint someone as your proxy (a person who can vote on your behalf) by completing the Proxy Form attached to your e-mails by returning it to the club (by mail ro fax) no later than 5pm next Monday 12th. Your may appoint another member as your proxy.

If you still have doubts give the club a call.
 

RustyHawk

Premium Gold
Joined
Sep 21, 2005
Posts
14,567
Likes
4,213
Location
Under the Southern Star
AFL Club
Hawthorn
Other Teams
Green Bay Packers
#4
Gary Shadforth said:
Extract from Colin’s candidate statement:-

“The current Board's main aim has been sound financial management as distinct from success on the field and winning premierships.

This is truly an unbelievable comment from a person running for a board position and who it is claimed is already a director of another company. Probably corporations law would affect their decision to run a sound financial program. Probably the threat of personal liability for debt would also affect their decision to spend their time making sure we have a sound financial base. What does this guy expect? Dicker, Dunstall, Brereton et al to be drafted and play senior AFL football?

As a result, in recent years, we have had one of the worst performing football sides in the AFL But we are also now under financial pressure without the AFL Waverley compensation payments of around $l million a year.

So we should be compensated for the loss of revenue due to the closure of Waverley.

"2004 was a catastrophic year. The Club was humiliated both on and off the field. Our Club was a laughing stock and our management was dysfunctional. The Club lost its way.

Personally I believe the board had a terrible 2003 in re appointing or approving the reappointment of Coach Schwab for another 2 years. 2004 was just the result of previous bad decisions all coming home at the same time

"In 2005 the Club has continued to struggle. The changes to the football administration will not guarantee success. It seems our future hopes now rest on an inexperienced coaching staff and young recruits and a new base at Waverley. Now is a critical time in our Club's history.

When is it not a "critical" time in our history? Being the VFL's whipping boy for nearly 30 years, Merger with Melbourne, $m debt, wooden spoon. This is a second reason why I seriously believe this candidate is not worthy of a board position. For the first time in probably 15 years we seem to have a plan, a purpose. Decisions across a broad spectrum of football areas are consistant, appointment of a player list manager, draft picks, experienced senior players being given ultimatations (Spg?) shape up or ship out. I fear if Mr. Youren is not with the program then he is against it and that would be an absolute shame and a real disaster.

“I believe that the number one motivator, and the number one objective, should be winning Premierships. (Obviously) Whilst financial security is vital, success on the field is the best way to attract greater membership and financial support.(Not necessarily so, just look at Northorn This change of emphasis, as demonstrated in recent years by Brisbane and Sydney, is paramount. (hardly good analysis as both operate in completely different markets to that of a Hawthorn.

and I could go on and on

“I am concerned that our facilities at Waverley may not be member friendly. I do not believe that the current Board has designed Waverley to encourage members to support our team as it trains even though this was stated by the Board, at the outset, to be one of the prime objectives in the Waverley move. We must make sure that we do not have a training venue remote from our supporter base where the direct involvement of members and supporters is lost. It was precisely this association that historically made us the family club and the envy of our competitors.

“I am also concerned about the future of Ausdoc (Glenferrie Oval) and the Linda Crescent Social Club. Our great Club suffered through loss of members when we moved to Carlton in the 1970s, away from our Glenferrie power base. We must ensure that our Club's fabric and membership are not undermined again when we move to Waverley.

“I sincerely hope and trust that Jeff Kennett will bring good leadership and a refreshing change to the Club as president. But, a balanced board, comprising capable directors, and representing a mix of skills and the diverse views of members, should not just be handpicked by one Individual from within the Club. We have been down that road before.

“The democratic process safeguarded by the Club's constitution means that members of the Club with different skill sets should be democratically elected.
As an Independent Board member, I guarantee members that I will bring an Independent vision to your Board and will do everything within my abilities to return the Club to its former greatness”.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
 

Hawkk

Hall of Famer
Joined
Sep 17, 2004
Posts
38,572
Likes
11,768
Location
Australia
AFL Club
Hawthorn
#5
Obviously the club's sole purpose is to win flags, but you can't blame the board for that, that's up to the coaching staff. Its a misconception that you can blame the board for how the team goes on the field; they dont kick the goals. They are in charge of the finances and the off field wheelings and dealings of the club.

To blame Dicker's current administration is a tad unfair. This passage really symbolizes him and his contribution and passion for the Hawks to do well;

Alaister Clarkson came to us with a request for an IT and computer system which wasn't in the budget so I said to Ian Robson "Make sure we do the right thing." "If it means that I underwrite it. If that means paying, that's fine. The more important issue is being able to say, "Make the right descision, do the right thing"
Its obvious that he and the current administration wanted the team to do well above anything else, even if it means out of there own pockets.

Anyway here is to our right to conduct a democratic vote....
 

Gary Shadforth

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Oct 15, 2003
Posts
6,588
Likes
17
Location
Coolangatta Queensland
AFL Club
Hawthorn
Thread starter #6
RustyHawk said:
Personally I believe the board had a terrible 2003 in re
appointing or approving the reappointment of Coach Schwab for another 2 years. 2004 was just the result of previous bad decisions all coming home at the same time
Well you are agreeing with Colin except he hasn’t gone into personalities. Critics have well documented the disasterous Schwab era.
RustyHawk said:
For the first time in probably 15 years we seem to have a plan, a purpose. Decisions across a broad spectrum of football areas are consistant, appointment of a player list manager, draft picks, experienced senior players being given ultimatations (Spg?) shape up or ship out. I fear if Mr. Youren is not with the program then he is against it and that would be an absolute shame and a real disaster.
I agree with you here, Rusty. Even though I have given Colin my proxy vote he would be only one member of the board and if he is elected his beliefs will be thrown into the ring in a better place rather than getting around the club criticising. For the sake of harmony he will need to hold his peace on the ultimate majority decisions set down by the board. In other words I’m saying ‘You have a go, mate!’.
RustyHawk said:
hardly good analysis as both operate in completely different markets to that of a Hawthorn.
Agree with you there, Rusty. It is so much more competitive in acquiring sponsorships and obtaining members in Melbourne.
 
Top Bottom