NRL 2024: Wests Tigers unveil ambitious strategic plan

The Panthers are the gold standard in junior development, with much of their success attributable to their ability to identify and nurture talent in their catchment areas. The Tigers have 9285 registered juniors, but believe they will overtake three-time champions Penrith should they hit the 10,000 mark by the end of 2025.

“If you look at the secrets of Penrith’s success, it’s how many juniors they have playing first grade,” Richardson said.

“Look at us, we have one at the moment. We have a lot in reserve grade, a lot beneath that, and we have a champion under-17s side. We need to create more kids coming into the NRL.

“We will be very specific and targeted in what we do with recruitment. We don’t need a lot, we don’t need to revamp and change the whole squad. We need two or three players and then bring our young kids through. That’s our recruitment policy.

“We’re going to spend a lot on our young kids and develop them right.”

The club has been liaising with key stakeholders – the NRL, Venues NSW and Leichhardt and Campbelltown councils – with a view to finalising a three-year stadium plan.

“We will be basing our tickets around three venues, a two-plus-one sort of thing,” Richardson said.

“My point about Leichhardt is not that we don’t want to play there; the point is we can’t play that number of games while those [outdated] facilities are there.

“At this stage, there is no likelihood of upgrading those facilities, while at Campbelltown there is a likelihood of upgrading the facilities.”

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Richardson was initially appointed on an interim basis, but wants to remain in the role to ensure the plan comes to fruition.

“What I’m trying to do is to create some stability,” he said.

“Benji, [chairman] Barry [O’Farrell], [skipper] Api [Koroisau] and I all have a great relationship. So going forward you have to do it for a period of time where you can cement that all into place, including his coaching staff.

“We have a plan going forward and we’re working towards it. How long it takes, I can’t say. It took two years [in my previous role] at Penrith, 10 years at Souths, three years at Cronulla and two years at Hull in England.

“You can never tell. But if you have a plan and everyone is working towards it, it’s a huge step forward for the club.”

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