Hello fellow Brisbane Lions members,
NEW DIRECTORS
I’d like to give you some exciting news, the appointment of two new Directors to the Club’s Board.
Sarah Kelly and Andrew Wellington have been selected unanimously by the existing five Directors to join them in helping to guide the Club moving forward.
Sarah is a Senior Lecturer in Marketing and Director of the MBA program at the University of Queensland. Andrew is a Chartered Accountant and Partner of PwC Australia.
They will work as part of the new seven-member Board to step through a range of important initiatives, including the Elite Training and Administration Facility, appointment of a new CEO, AFL funding arrangements and a new Gabba agreement.
Sarah and Andrew bring vast business, corporate and academic experience to our Club and we really look forward to their contributions.
Sarah has already agreed to head a new sub-committee focused on marketing and membership development, while Andrew will have a focus on finance.
The expansion of the Board was discussed at the Annual General Meeting in December 2013 to enhance the levels of experience and expertise available to the Club.
It was always envisaged that more Directors would be added as we work together to get the right mix of skills in this important period of rebuilding.
We already have some great skill sets on the Board and Sarah and Andrew will only add to that to ensure the Club stays on the right track to success.
Sarah comes on to the Board as an Expertise Director, joining me in that capacity, while Andrew joins the Board as a Director filling a casual vacancy.
Andrew will be part of a member vote at the Annual General Meeting later this year, along with Football Director Leigh Matthews, Peter McGregor and, as per the Club’s Constitution, one of either Cameron Milner or Mick Power AM.
CEO SEARCH
In relation to our search for a new CEO, the Board has identified a number of high-quality candidates and the Club will advertise for the position in the national press in coming days.
The Board will then decide on a shortlist before interviews are conducted in coming weeks.
The process will take time but we are committed to getting the best person for such an important position leading our Club.
I will continue to keep you updated on the process.
HALL OF FAME
The Club is still on a high from a fantastic Hall Of Fame event at the Brisbane Convention Centre.
More than 500 people attended a night that was nothing short of inspiring as Michael Voss was inducted as a Club “Legend” – joining former Fitzroy greats Kevin Murray and Haydn Bunton.
Four of Vossy’s premiership teammates – Chris Johnson, Darryl White, Chris Scott, and Shaun Hart – were among the Hall of Fame class of 2014, along with three-time Fitzroy Best & Fairest Norm Brown, former Bears skipper Roger Merrett, and early Fitzroy greats George Holden, Bill Walker, Harold ‘Lal’ McLennan, and Len Wigraft.
The words spoken by all the recipients and their families were memorable, giving an insight into the Club’s rich history and what it takes to make it to the top in footy.
I’m sure everyone in the room, including our young players just starting their AFL careers, would have been inspired.
I pass on my congratulations to all the inductees and their families, and to the Club’s staff for putting on such a top-class event.
FOOTY IS BACK
No doubt you are all fired up for this Saturday’s big home game against Carlton after a week off with the Bye.
The boys will be fresh after the break and we will welcome back a number of our most experienced players from illness and injury.
Leppa has had the team working hard on the track this week and they have training strongly.
I look forward to seeing you at the Gabba for what promises to be a great evening of footy and a win for our mighty Lions.
Cheers and Go Lions!
Bob Sharpless
Chairman, Brisbane Lions Football Club
