Dear Members,
At the halfway point of the season, I’d like to take the opportunity to provide you with an update on a number of important matters relating to our Club.
I am also conscious that it has been some time since I addressed the ASADA issue and provided an update on the status of the investigation.
As you all know, this investigation has now been running for the best part of 16 months and unfortunately there has not been any significant developments or relevant information made available to the Club in recent weeks.
Our players are still carrying the heavy burden of continued speculation in the media with no concrete timetable for the ASADA process to conclude – this has been incredibly frustrating for us all.
However, I can confirm we are exploring all legal options for our players in the unlikely event they receive show cause letters from ASADA – we make no apologies for that.
Not surprisingly certain sections of the media continue to peddle unfounded and unhelpful commentary about this issue.
An article by journalist Damian Barrett last week relating to criticism of the AFL’s decision to allow our legal fees to remain outside the salary cap was particularly disappointing. Not only were some of the comments made factually incorrect and conveniently exaggerated but the article included an unnecessary and unwarranted personal attack on James Hird.
Why shouldn’t the Essendon Football Club pay legal costs incurred in protecting its players from unsubstantiated charges? It also aligns with current practice whereby Clubs organise and pay for Player’s legal expenses when they are contesting a charge at the AFL Tribunal or appearing before the Appeals Board.
Some ten months ago, James Hird along with the Essendon Football Club and other employees accepted sanctions handed down by the AFL in connection with bringing the game into disrepute. And as a Club we look forward to welcoming James Hird back to his role as senior coach after he has served his suspension.
In the meantime, our focus remains on our players and doing everything we can to support them through this difficult period of uncertainty.
Every decision we make is made after considering the best interest of our players and the Essendon Football Club.
In recent months, we have completed a significant review of our structure and management, made changes to protocols and procedures and implemented new governance and compliance measures across our organisation. This is an ongoing process that the Club is continually modifying and reviewing to ensure best practice outcomes.
It has been and remains the intention of the Board to appoint a new CEO by the middle of this year. We have begun a process and I look forward to providing members with an announcement shortly.
Importantly, we have taken many positive steps forward this year.
Our membership has reached record levels, our sponsorship and commercial position is strong and our new facility has set the benchmark for the rest of the competition.
As a Club, we are particularly proud and privileged to be involved in ANZAC Day, Dreamtime at the G’ and Call to Arms as marquee games on the AFL calendar.
Our on field scorecard of 6 wins and 5 losses has put us in a position to challenge for the finals this year. And despite the loss of our courageous captain Jobe Watson for the next 10 weeks, I have every confidence in our team making a charge towards September action.
Finally, on behalf of the Board, I would like to personally thank you for your continued support and loyalty to our Club during this time. It goes without saying but the unwavering commitment and passion from our members is incredibly heartening for us all.
Paul Little AO
