KB interviewed Schwab for ten minutes today.
Here is a summary of the discussion as it unfolded:
They have sent the club a letter of demand in order to obtain a commitment from the existing board to honour the agreement made mid year. They are asking for formal letters of resignation to allow a postal vote from all adult members. They want this postal vote controlled by the Australian Electoral Commission in order to ensure a proper process, to avoid the problems of last year's election (late forms etc) and to avoid an emotional public meeting.
They want to present their alternative members as a group - led my Macek. They are happy with the late December date, and if they don't get clarification from the current board they will turn the AGM into an EGM.
Schwab felt that the agreement struck in July had only been partly met - that part relating to them being involved in the appointment of the new coach. They are happy with TW but the overall standards and professionalism of the RFC is not acceptable.
KB then raised the Ottens scenario - asking if Schwab's group would have kept him. Schwab went into detail about his injuries, his age, his history etc and the discussion imho got a bit confused. Schwab said that the RFC should be in a position to pay market rates. Other clubs were in a position to pay market rates and it was galling for supporters and members of the club if the RFC was unable to take advantage of the PSD and other benefits given to clubs that finish low on the ladder due to our financial constraints.
KB asked specifically if Schwab would try to keep Ottens and he answered (correctly imho) that it was not appropriate to discuss specific players and went on to say how the club's culture was not one that made players comfortable to stay and develop - there is no culture of success. He added that it was disappointing to have the club criticise people when they ask to leave. The club has no embracing culture but instead has a divisive culture - which starts at the board.
He said that Macek will bring respect, as shown by his involvement on boards such as Wesfarmers.
KB took a call from a listener who asked Schwab how the EGM would work and how many of his ticket had been there before. Schwab did not address the EGM question but went through some of his ticket saying how many were completely new and that they were all successful people bringing a cross section of talent, the right values, are team players, have the right culture and are a collective ticket. He said they don't have the 100 names for an EGM but that would be a simple matter to organize if needed.
The things they were seeking immediately were the resignations and an agreement for a postal vote. The things that were missing from the July agreement were financial disclosures, no general agreement for a smooth transtion and no transparancy and honesty.
Schwab then stated that the current board was divided, as shown by Casey asking for Turner and Mathy (?) to resign just last month.
KB took a second caller who had plenty to say (KB asked him if he was a member - guess what
) The caller claimed that Ottens was a victim of the environment at the club and that they should pay him what he wants for one year and see how he likes the new environment etc etc. KB basically knocked that over. Schwab said that players should be happy to believe that the RFC is the best place for them to be.
That was about it - I'm tired now - I think I'll go home.
