To our Bulldogs members and fans,
As you are aware, we’ve been working to identify improvements that will underpin our great Club’s future success. In November last year, the Club appointed experienced football administrator Peter Jackson to work with Club CEO Ameet Bains in reviewing various aspects of the Club’s administration, operation and integration of the AFL men’s program, the program’s overarching environment and how the Club can best maximise the opportunities of on-field success.
The six-week review involved discussions with around 50 people within the Club and other senior football people within the AFL industry.
Pleasingly, the review highlighted many positive elements of our AFL men’s program, including the benefits of the transformational new facility, along with the culture that underpins our Department. The review also reaffirmed the positive impact of off-season changes to the program – which included welcoming eight new players and close to 30% new full-time staff – and the strong contribution our new personnel are already making.
Ultimately, the review highlighted that we have what we need to set us up for success, but it’s a matter of having things in the right place and leveraged in the most effective way.
Recommendations focused on building success in four key areas:
- Structure of the Department;
- Culture and environment;
- Coaching roles and responsibilities;
- Development and education.
Based on the report’s findings, the Club will undertake the following:
- Create a new role of General Manager Football Operations that will have operational responsibility for the performance aspects of the men’s program including coaching, physical performance, player welfare and football operations;
- Matt Egan has been promoted to this new role. Matt will continue to report directly to Chris Grant, the Club’s Executive Director of Football, as will the list management, medical and football administration functions;
- Chris maintains his role as head of the Department, assuming a more elevated focus on executive leadership, strategy and innovation, with high-level management and oversight of both our men’s and women’s programs;
- Appoint a GM of Women’s Football to have operational responsibility of the women’s program. This recruitment process is already under way;
- Implement a clearer demarcation of reporting lines, roles and responsibilities to ensure individuals are better placed to focus on their specific areas, particularly within the coaching structure;
- Assume a renewed focus on both player and staff development and education;
- Implement a suite of initiatives to enhance connection and collaboration across the Department and Club more broadly.
We thank Peter Jackson for his valuable assistance and sharing of insight and counsel to the benefit of our Club overall.
We now look forward to completing pre-season training ahead of what we hope to be an exciting 2024 season.
Go Dogs.
Kylie Watson-Wheeler
Western Bulldogs President
