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http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...made-at-the-club/story-fngr8iii-1227666495264
Sea Eagles chairman Scott Penn reveals tough decisions had to be made at the club
December 18, 2015 2:48pm
Jon GeddesManly Daily
Manly chairman Scott Penn (right) and club CEO Joe Kelly. Picture: Gregg Porteous
SEA Eagles chairman Scott Penn admits the big overhaul of the club he loves has been an emotionally draining exercise but said hard decisions had to be made.
No NRL club has undergone more changes than Manly, who embarked on an aggressive recruitment drive, had a clean out of players and staff and replaced club legend Geoff Toovey as head coach with Trent Barrett.
It has been a rejuvenation on an unprecedented scale that is set to shake-up up the 2016 premiership.
Through the process Penn has often found himself in the firing line and he has opened up about making those tough calls.
“These aren’t personal decisions,” he said.
“They are decisions made in the best interests of the club and what we give to make the club even more successful in the future,” Penn said.
Scott Penn in his North Sydney office. Picture Mark Evans
“And sometimes you have to make hard decisions that are going to be unpopular. But I think everyone is doing it for the right reasons.
“As managers and administrators you live and die by your results.”
Penn said the club still has to make sure everything comes together in 2016.
“I’d like to think we are now set up for success, I am delighted with the progress we have made so far,” Penn said.
He said there were always going to be critics when the changes, such as those taking place at the Sea Eagles, were introduced.
And for Penn it is very close to his heart.
“This is a passion project. I don’t get paid for this and not only that, we are tipping a lot of money into it,” Penn said.
Sea Eagles recruir Martin Taupau makes a run during the Sea Eagles training camp at The Novatel Pacific Bay Resort in Coffs Harbour .Picture Gregg Porteous
“You wouldn’t do it unless you loved it and I love this club and am absolutely passionate about it being successful, so I will do anything I can to achieve that.”
And that also meant that it took a toll emotionally.
“It has been incredibly draining because there have been a lot of detractors who have pushed their own political barrow to try and win brownie points during the process,” Penn said.
“Fortunately we have stayed strong as a group and we will be even stronger as a result.”
Penn said under Barrett’s coaching the Sea Eagles expected to play finals football again after missing out in 2015 for the first time in a decade.
“I think to put any more pressure on everyone in terms of speculating about position on the ladder within the finals group is probably too much to call at this point,” he said.
But the chairman said they knew that if the team could be in position at the pointy end of the finals, then anything was possible.
Sea Eagles chairman Scott Penn reveals tough decisions had to be made at the club
December 18, 2015 2:48pm
Jon GeddesManly Daily
Manly chairman Scott Penn (right) and club CEO Joe Kelly. Picture: Gregg Porteous
SEA Eagles chairman Scott Penn admits the big overhaul of the club he loves has been an emotionally draining exercise but said hard decisions had to be made.
No NRL club has undergone more changes than Manly, who embarked on an aggressive recruitment drive, had a clean out of players and staff and replaced club legend Geoff Toovey as head coach with Trent Barrett.
It has been a rejuvenation on an unprecedented scale that is set to shake-up up the 2016 premiership.
Through the process Penn has often found himself in the firing line and he has opened up about making those tough calls.
“These aren’t personal decisions,” he said.
“They are decisions made in the best interests of the club and what we give to make the club even more successful in the future,” Penn said.
Scott Penn in his North Sydney office. Picture Mark Evans
“And sometimes you have to make hard decisions that are going to be unpopular. But I think everyone is doing it for the right reasons.
“As managers and administrators you live and die by your results.”
Penn said the club still has to make sure everything comes together in 2016.
“I’d like to think we are now set up for success, I am delighted with the progress we have made so far,” Penn said.
He said there were always going to be critics when the changes, such as those taking place at the Sea Eagles, were introduced.
And for Penn it is very close to his heart.
“This is a passion project. I don’t get paid for this and not only that, we are tipping a lot of money into it,” Penn said.
Sea Eagles recruir Martin Taupau makes a run during the Sea Eagles training camp at The Novatel Pacific Bay Resort in Coffs Harbour .Picture Gregg Porteous
“You wouldn’t do it unless you loved it and I love this club and am absolutely passionate about it being successful, so I will do anything I can to achieve that.”
And that also meant that it took a toll emotionally.
“It has been incredibly draining because there have been a lot of detractors who have pushed their own political barrow to try and win brownie points during the process,” Penn said.
“Fortunately we have stayed strong as a group and we will be even stronger as a result.”
Penn said under Barrett’s coaching the Sea Eagles expected to play finals football again after missing out in 2015 for the first time in a decade.
“I think to put any more pressure on everyone in terms of speculating about position on the ladder within the finals group is probably too much to call at this point,” he said.
But the chairman said they knew that if the team could be in position at the pointy end of the finals, then anything was possible.
