Eels turn page with five new directors

THE new seven-member Parramatta board is confident of landing a blue-chip player to usher in an exciting new era for the Eels.

The club officially turned the page on the NRL salary cap scandal yesterday as they announced five new independent directors to steer the club forward. A fed-up NSW Government sacked the Eels board following the salary cap saga, for which the club was fined $1 million and docked 12 competition points.

The salary cap scandal tarnished the club’s brand and they posted a $12 million loss last year. However chief executive Bernie Gurr said the election of a new board marked the end of a long governance review process and was important because it made the Eels an attractive destination for star players.

“You need a strong front office and we think we have that now,” Gurr said.

“From a point of view of selling a club, players want to know they’re coming to a club that’s professionally managed, ethically run and financially sustainable.”