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President

Frank Costa OAM
Frank Costa

A lifelong Geelong man, Frank Costa OAM took on the exciting challenge as Geelong Football Club's president in December 1998 and has overseen the trek from struggling club to AFL premiers.

The Costa led board has overseen one of the most remarkable turn arounds of any AFL club. Inheriting high interest bearing debt and an aging team, the board has been responsible for repaying close to $7 million, appointed senior coach Mark Thompson and supported his long term blue print for success, and secured two redevelopment of Skilled Stadium totaling $56 million.

Born in Geelong in 1938, the Costa name is synonymous with the city of Geelong and Frank's tireless commitment to the community has seen him honoured many times.

Frank was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 1997 for his services to youth and the community, and in 2001 he earned the Australian Sports Medal in recognition of his services to Australian Rules football. Costa's was awarded the Australian Family Business 'Third generation -business of the year' in 2002.

In 1959 the Costa brothers took over the family fruit & vegetable operations and commenced wholesaling with Frank at the helm, a position he still holds today.

From those early days Frank has led the development of the business to a point where it is now the largest service wholesaler of fruit & vegetables in the country with operations in five major states. The company's annual turnover is in excess of $800million of which export sales contribute $40million.

CEO

Brian Cook
Brian Cook

One of Australia's most respected sporting administrators, Geelong chief executive Brian Cook took up the post in March 1999.

During his tenure, Cook has over hauled the club's business operations and has overseen a dramatic transformation in the club's finances, leading the club back to financial well being, leading to the 2007 AFL premiership.

Under Cook's management the club has reduced its interest bearing debt from $7 million and has been responsible for a raft of new corporate partners. He recommended Mark Thompson as senior coach at the end of 1999 and has seen Thompson blossom into one of the league's brightest young coaches while over hauling the playing list.

Cook has brought a wealth of football knowledge to the Cats, having built the West Coast Eagles into Australia's pre-eminent sporting club during the 1990’s. He also brings experience from inside the white lines, having played with Hawthorn and Melbourne in the 1970's and with Subiaco and East Perth.

Cook played four games with Melbourne in 1977 after crossing from Hawthorn where he played 45 games in the reserves. He also played in the VFA with Box Hill and Caulfield. Cook moved west to pursue a Master of Education at the University of Western Australia and continued his playing career with Subiaco and East Perth. He guided East Perth to the WAFL reserves premiership as coach and was senior coach at Ainslie in the ACTFL in 1986.

After retiring as a player, Cook moved to Canberra and took up the post of National Sports Research Coordinator with the Australian Sports Commission before returning to Western Australia where he helped shape over a decade of football dominance.

Cook spent two years as the general manager of the Western Australian Football Development Trust and a further two years as CEO of the Western Australian Football Commission before taking over the reigns of the West Coast Eagles in 1990. Under Cook's stewardship the Eagles were transformed into a club that was envied both on and off the field throughout the AFL.

During his nine years as chief executive, the Eagles quadrupled their membership and increased revenue three fold. Under his leadership West Coast won 143 of 219 games, including the 1992 and 1994 AFL grand finals. The 1992 Eagles were the first non-Victorian club to claim the AFL premiership.

Board Members

 

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Gareth Andrews
Gareth Andrews

Vice President for 10 years
Bachelor of Commerce
A.R.E.I.

Gareth is Managing Director of Andrews Corporation (Vic) Pty Ltd, a Company involved in many aspects of the property industry and specialising in residential sales and leasing of apartments. 2008 is Gareth’s 43rd year of involvement in VFL (AFL) football. Gareth played 136 games with Geelong in a nine year career commencing in 1965. In 1974 he transferred to Richmond, playing a further 31 games, including the 1974 Premiership. Gareth was a joint-founder of the VFL/AFL Players Association and is a former President and a Life Member of the AFLPA. For many years, Gareth was a part-time commentator on ABC Radio and Television as well as being an authoritative football writer for The Sunday Age.

Gareth is a life member of the Geelong Football Club.

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Nicholas Carr
Nicholas Carr

Director for four years
Bachelor of Economics, LLB, MBA

Nicholas has been involved in managing and developing professional service businesses for over 20 years.

Currently, Nicholas is Group Managing Director of Landlink Property Group Pty Ltd, a property valuation and advisory services company with offices throughout Victoria. Prior to Landlink, Nicholas was Managing Director of law firm Harwood Andrews.

Nicholas is Chair of Opteon Property Group, and a Director of Banksia Securities Ltd, Banksia Mortgages Ltd and Cherry Fund Ltd.

Nicholas has over many years been involved in a number of community organisations, including as Deputy Chair of the Committee for Geelong.

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Colin Carter
Colin Carter

Director for seven years (1987-1993) and four months (July 2008 -)
Bachelor of Commerce
MBA, Harvard University

Colin began his second stint on the Geelong Cats board in July 2008 after previously serving from 1987 until 1993. Colin stepped down in 1993 as a result of being appointed to the AFL commission, a role he held until early 2008. Colin is a senior adviser to the Boston Consulting Group and is a director of Wesfarmers, SEEK, World Vision, Indigenous Enterprise Partnerships and the Cape York Institute. He is also chairman of the AFL Foundation.

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Bob Gartland
Bob Gartland

Director for one year
Cert. IV Business (Estate Agency Practice)
CEA (REIV)

Robert (Bob) is the Director and Principal of Gartland Real Estate Pty Ltd, and specialises in consulting to clients on commercial & residential property development and investment. Bob has 25 years experience in the real estate industry. Bob’s company currently manages a portfolio for clients, with a value in the range of $120 million.

Bob has been involved in numerous community and business organisations in the Geelong region, and is a former Deputy Chair of the Central Geelong Management Committee and Ambassador of the Anam Cara House Community Hospice Project.

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Alistair Hamblin
Alistair Hamblin

Director for four years
Bachelor of Commerce
CPA, MAICD

Alistair is a Senior Consultant to the integrated financial services practice of Morrows in Southbank. Previously, Alistair founded Commercial Advisory Group and became a Principal in WHK Horwath following its acquisition of CAG. In his consulting role, business services, tax and corporate advisory are provided to a diverse client base with a specialisation in sport and media/entertainment. In addition to professional engagement, he been directly involved in a number of clubs and community organisations engaged in facilitating sport and fundraising. Alistair has been a member of the Geelong Cats board since December 2004 and acts as Chair of the Finance & Audit Committee.

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Campbell Neal
Campbell Neal

Director for one year
Bachelor of Science
LLB, Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria

Campbell is Managing Director and Founder of K2 Asset Management Ltd, an Australian-based fund manager. K2 Asset Management is publicly listed and employs 24 staff. Campbell’s previous role was Executive Vice President Bankers Trust Australia, where he worked for 10 years.

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Doug Wade
Doug Wade

Director for 10 years

Doug is Managing Director of Lifestyle Fitness Pty Ltd, a Company employing over 200 people in seven health clubs and registered training organisations over five campuses. Doug is also a Director of Australian Institute of Fitness (Vic & Tas) Pty Ltd.

Doug is one of the all–time greats of VFL (AFL) football. Doug played 208 games for the Club, kicked 834 goals and was a member of the 1963 Premiership team. He then played 59 games for North Melbourne kicking 223 goals and playing in their 1975 Premiership team. Doug represented Victoria seven times in his career and is fourth on the all–time VFL (AFL) goal kicking tally with 1,057 goals.

Doug is a life member of the Geelong Football Club.

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