SENIOR players have thrown their support behind a members-driven group leading a campaign for Ballarat Red Devils (Members) Football Club governance reform.
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A meeting of 25 Red Devils senior players on Sunday “unanimously” agreed to support a three-man working party which has undertaken a review of the club’s governance structure, and to back a special members’ meeting called for Thursday, January 21, with the main objective of forming a new board of management.
The club has been without a president and board since its annual meeting in November.
The players, in a prepared statement submitted to The Courier, said they would only play under a members-based led club administration. They said all senior players would either “sit out” the season or seek opportunities at other NPL clubs if the Ballarat Red Devils Investment Company, chaired by Duncan Smith, sought to control the club.
The player group stated that it was calling on Smith and the BRDIC to support returning the club to a fully-members operated club.
They said they had advised Smith of their position in November, which included not recognising BRDIC control of the club and any appointment made by it – including the appointment of Savas Saglan as head senior coach, which was announced by Smith in late December.
The working party of Michael Bardsley, Andrew Burgess and John Livingston informed The Courier late last month that BRDIC, which was operated by Duncan Smith, had no decision-making powers under the existing football club's governance structure.
The senior players’ statement also included that it would await the outcome of the working party review into governance structure and board election before committing to the club for 2016.
The players said they had advised Saglan of its position – asking him to respect it and requesting he have no contact with any player before the special meeting.
The players have been training independently of the club pending the meeting. They resume training on Monday after a break.
The Courier attempted to get in touch with Duncan Smith for his response to the statement, but was unsuccessful in making contact.
