Colin Carter AM

Director 1987-1993 and since 2008, President since 2011
Bachelor of Commerce, MBA, Member of the Order of Australia

Originally from Perth, Colin has been a supporter since Polly Farmer came to Geelong.  He first joined the Cats board in 1988 but retired in 1993 on appointment to the AFL Commission. He served on the Commission until 2008 when he re-joined the Cats board and was appointed President in 2011.

Colin’s involvement with football started in 1985 when his report for the VFL proposed the national competition and the draft and salary cap strategies that would keep all clubs competitive. Two years later, he brokered agreement between the VFL and MCC which led to the return of VFL Members to the MCG and building the Great Southern Stand. Later, while on the AFL Commission, he led the working group that prepared the AFL’s strategy for grassroots development.

Colin’s working career was as a management consultant with The Boston Consulting Group. He retired in 2001 but still advises some company boards on their performance and has been an advisor to several sporting bodies.

He is a director of two public companies – SEEK and Wesfarmers and was a director of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. He is a director of World Vision and for over ten years has been involved with several organizations working with Indigenous communities across Australia. He is also a director of the Ladder Project which is the AFL's partnership with the AFL Players’ Association to combat youth homelessness.

In 2012, Colin was recognised with a Member of the Order of Australia for service to the Indigenous community and Australian Rules football.

Colin has a Commerce degree from Melbourne University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He is married to Angie – from Wyoming - who is now a fanatical Geelong supporter. They have three adult sons and live in Melbourne.

Gareth Andrews

Director and Vice-President since 1998
Chair of Remuneration Committee
Bachelor of Commerce, A.R.E.I.

Gareth is a Geelong boy, born and bred. From as early as he can recall, The Cats were always in his blood. As a young kid, he always dreamed of playing for the mighty blue and white.

That dream became a reality when he joined the club in 1965, his first year out of school. Joining the likes of Polly Farmer, Billy Goggin, Doug Wade, Peter Walker, Denis Marshall and John Sharrock, he had immediate success, winning the club goal kicking in that year and becoming a permanent member in the senior side.

He has now spent 45 years in VFL/AFL football. He played 136 games with the Cats between 1965 and 1974, was runner-up in the best and fairest in 1970, kicked 127 goals, and became a Life Member of the Club.

In 1974 he swapped clubs, joining Richmond that year, playing in the 1974 Tiger Premiership, and completing his career in 1975 with 31 games for the Tigers.

Gareth was General Manager of Richmond in 1978 – 1979. He was a joint founder of the VFL/AFL Players Association was President in 1975, and is a life member of the organisation.

Between 1979 and 1998, he was a radio/TV commentator for the ABC and football writer and analyst for The Sunday Age.

In 1998 he joined the Frank Costa-led Geelong Board and has been Director and Vice President since that date. He has played an important role in all the important decision through that time, including the appointments of Brian Cook and Mark Thompson.

Gareth was recognised for his efforts in the game with AFL Life Membership in 2011.

Gareth has always run his own successful Property and Real Estate Companies. He has recently sold his interests in Dingle Partners Real Estate, remaining as a consultant. He has established a new business, Life Again Pty. Ltd. The company aims to connect men of all ages during times of change. Life Again aims to promote health, fitness and well-being through an interactive web portal and public forums.

Gareth has extensive interests outside business and football, including writing, reading, adventure travel, exercise, meditation, theatre and the arts, international cricket and working for charitable organisations.

His children Jeremy who works for Ausaid and Georgina an Executive Assistant, have blue and white blood surging through their veins.

Craig Drummond 

Craig Drummond joined Bank of America Merrill Lynch in October 2009 as Chief Executive Officer and Country Head.

Prior to that, Craig joined Goldman Sachs JB Were in 1986 into equity research and was in various roles since 2003 of Chief Operating Officer, Executive Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer until May 2009.

Craig graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from The University of Melbourne in 1981. He completed the Advanced Management Program at Wharton University in 2001. Craig is a fully accredited member of the Stockbrokers Association of Australia, a Senior Fellow of FINSIA and is a Chartered Accountant.

Craig is a Director of Scotch College, The Australian Davos Connection and the Florey Neuroscience Institutes.  He is also a Member of the Business Council of Australia (BCA) and a Member of the University of New South Wales’ Australian School of Business Advisory Council.

He is also a Board Member of the Australian Financial Markets Association (AFMA).

Bob Gartland

Director since 2007
Member of Remuneration Committee
Cert. IV Business (Estate Agency Practice), CEA (REIV)

Born and educated in Geelong, Bob has been a lifelong supporter of the Geelong Cats. He has been a Director of the Geelong Cats since 2007, is a member of the Geelong Football Club Past Players and Officials Association, is also a Member of the Geelong Cats History & Tradition Committee, a Trustee of the Geelong Cats Sports Foundation and a Foundation member of the Geelong Cats Forever Bequest Club. Bob has also been a member of Geelong Cats “Gold Cats” coterie group for many years.

He has been an active member of the Geelong Business Community for 35 years, and been involved in the Real Estate and property industry for 29 years. He is Managing Director of Gartland Real Estate, and associated companies, which consults to clients on Real Estate investment, and development in both Commercial and Residential sectors. His company currently manages a portfolio of property in excess of $300 million, has won substantial recognition for business achievements, and most recently was awarded “Business of the Year” in the Geelong Business Excellence Awards.

Bob has served on various business and community boards and committees in the Geelong Region, acting as Deputy Chair of Central Geelong Management Committee , and as Ambassador for Anam Cara House Community Hospice project. Bob is married to Phillipa, they have two children and a grandson, who are all avid Geelong supporters.

Alistair Hamblin

Director since 2004
Chair of Finance & Audit Committee
Bachelor of Commerce, CPA, MAICD

Alistair grew up loving the Geelong Cats and that passion has only grown since becoming a Board Member.

Acting as a financial advisor to key Cats and membership of the WAGs coterie group began a process of close involvement generally and in various initiatives such as the establishment of the BizCats in Melbourne.

Alistair has been a member of the Geelong Cats board since December 2004 and acts as Chair of the Finance & Audit Committee. Apart from specific expertise in the finance area, he has input into new business development and development of the business and finance strategy.

In business, Alistair is an equity partner and principal in the integrated financial services practice of Morrows in Southbank. Previously, Alistair founded Commercial Advisory Group and was a Principal in the public company that acquired CAG. In his role with Morrows, he heads up the business services, tax and corporate advisory area which provides services to a diverse private client base with a specialisation in sport and media/entertainment. A number of AFL players and officials are clients of the firm. He acts on a number of private company boards and is a member of the Institute of Company Directors. In addition to professional engagement, he been directly involved in a number of clubs and community organisations engaged in facilitating sport and fundraising.

Family includes Sue (fanatic Cat Fan) and three adult daughters who seem to be following in their mother’s footsteps.

Hugh Seward

Director since 2010
M.B., B.S., D.Obst. R.C.O.G.,
F.A.C.S.P., F.A.S.M.F., F.S.E.M. (UK)

Hugh was the Club’s doctor for 25 years from 1982 to 2006 and is Chair of the Club’s Sports Science Committee. In this role he works closely with the Club’s medical and fitness staff ensuring the players now, and into the future are physically prepared the best they can possibly be.

Hugh is the Executive Officer of the AFL Medical Officers Association, a member of the AFL Research Board and Chair of Geelong College.

Hugh continues to practice as a sports physician and general practitioner in Newtown.

Hugh is a life member of the Geelong Football Club.

Diana Taylor

Director since 2010
Member of Finance & Audit and Corporate Governance Committees
Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Bachelor of Arts, AICD Diploma

A lifelong and passionate Geelong Football Club supporter, Diana was born and raised in Geelong.

Diana is the Executive Director/ General Manager Commercial Development of the Geelong based company CT Management Group, a management consulting, placement and recruitment business supporting Local Government across Australia. She is also the Director of Taylor Chapman Consulting, a sports and workplace consultancy practice.

Diana brought with her to the Geelong Cats board over 10 years of State and Community Football administration experience with her previous roles including President of the Western Region Football League, Victorian Football League Tribunal member, Victorian Football League Appeal Board member, WRFL Women's Football Foundation chairperson and AFL Victoria Fair Game: Respect Matters chairperson.

A qualified corporate lawyer and company director, Diana has previously worked as a senior lawyer at Clayton Utz, Freehills and in-house at Aviva Australia (owned by NAB).

Diana is currently a director on the boards of Doutta Galla Aged Services Limited and AFL Victoria's Development Advisory Board, VicHealth's Alcohol Advisory Committee and chairs AFL Victoria's Fair Game: Respect Matters reference group.

Brian Cook

Chief Executive Officer since 1999 and Director since 2009
Bachelor of Education (SCV Rusden) (1978)
Master of Education(University of WA) (1980)

Brian Cook is regarded by the industry as one of Australia’s most respected Sporting Administrators having spent the last thirteen years as Chief Executive Officer of the Geelong Football Club. In that time Brian has been able to overhaul the Clubs business operations and assisted in a dramatic turn around of its financial situation.

The Clubs turnover has increased from $16M to $50M with an average $1m profit per year during this 13 year period.

Under his management, the Geelong Football Club cleared its 1999 interest bearing debt of $7 million and has posted twelve consecutive profits.

A raft of new initiatives have been introduced including $104 million of redevelopments at Simonds Stadium (3 stages).

Geelong Football Club, during Brian’s time as CEO, has played in four Grand Finals and won three premierships in 2007, 2009 and 2011. Between 2007 and 2012 the club has won 125 games out of 145 which is a VFL/AFL record.

Having completed his Masters Degree in Education (Leisure Studies) and having played football for Hawthorn, Melbourne, Subiaco and East Perth Football Clubs, Brian started his career as a "Sports Consultant" in the WA State Government from 1980 to 1984. After a short stint in 1985 at the AIS in Canberra as coordinator of Federal Governments budget for Sports Research he commenced his professional football administrative career as General Manager of the WA Football Development Trust in 1986. He was promoted to the position of CEO of the Western Australia Football Commission in 1987.

Prior to Brian’s employment as CEO of the Geelong Football Club in 1999 he was CEO of the West Coast Eagles from 1990 and helped transform the club into one envied by people on and off the field. At the West Coast the club won two premierships in 1992 and 1994.

In February 2008 Brian was awarded the “Australian Sports Executive of 2007” by the Confederation of Australian Sport.

Brian has also been awarded AFL Life Membership (2007), Geelong Football Club life membership (2008),the Eunice Gill Award for Services to Coaching at a National level (1994) and the Australian Sports Medal an award from the Prime Minister (2000).

Brian is also a member of the AFL Research Board, of Tourism Victorian Board, Trustee of the Geelong Cats Sports Foundation and Director of Geelong Football Club.

Brian is also Ambassador for "Wombats Wish" an organisation established to support bereaved children who lose a parent.

In the past 6 consecutive years Brian has also completed solo the Rottnest Channel 20km swim from Cottesloe to Rottnest Island.

Brian believes the most challenging yet most rewarding part of his journey has been to initiate and then lead a value based organisation.

Sarah Albon - General Manager Community Development

Sarah Albon (Birch) rejoined the Cats as community development manager in May 2011 after a stint in the United Kingdom where she worked for both the International Cricket Council and the England & Wales Cricket Board. Most recently Birch was the director of marketing for EMC group.

Sarah oversees the club’s new community development department She previously worked with the Cats from 2001-2008 in various roles in events, marketing, communications and community relations.

Sarah is currently on the boards of Tourism Geelong and the Barwon Sports Academy.

The community development department will be responsible for all the club’s community relations activities, including the current programs and for the development of new initiatives, including the community wellness centre that will form part of the stage three redevelopment at Simonds Stadium.

Paula Allen - Hospitality Manager

Born and raised in Geelong, Paula joined the club while completing her university studies in the hospitality area. Since then Paula has worked in all areas of hospitality at the club and has progressed to be the Cats hospitality manager.

In her current role, Paula oversees both of the club’s venues – Club Cats and the Brook – in gaming, bistro, functions, TAB and match day hospitality.

Paula is active in the community in feeding the homeless and disadvantaged and lives on a wheat and sheep farm in Cressy with her partner Greg.

Neil Balme - General Manager Football

Neil was born in Perth WA and has had a distinguished career as player, coach and administrator. He played in Richmond's back-to-back premiership sides of 1973 and 1974 after coming to Victoria from Subiaco in WA. He coached for 13 years in the SANFL, taking Norwood to two flags before taking the reins at newly merged Woodville-West Torrens team. He coached Melbourne in the AFL from 1993 to 1997, and then went to a football operations role at Collingwood.

Balme is currently General Manager Football Operations of Geelong Football Club where he has brought a wealth of knowledge. He has played a pivotal role at the Cats and has helped the club secure on field success winning 2 AFL Premierships ( 2007 and 2009 ) and runner up to Hawthorn in 2008. Geelong also won the pre season NAB Cup in 2009 under Balme’s reign. Neil is also very popular within the media circles and his major career highlights to date are outlined as follows:

Playing career

• Recruited from Subiaco, Western Australia in 1968 – played 4 games

• Richmond Football Club- 1969 - 1979 (159 games, 229 goals)Appointed Vice captain for 1976

• Norwood Football Club (SA) 1981 - 1982 (13 games)

Honours received

• All Australian Coach 1994

• Premierships with Norwood 1982, 1984

• Life Member Norwood and Richmond Football Clubs

• 2008, AFL Life Member

Coaching / Football Administration

• Norwood Football Club –Senior Coach 1980-1990.

• Woodville - West Torrens Football Club - Senior Coach, 1991 – 1992

• Melbourne Football Club - Senior Coach, 1993 – 1997

• Collingwood Football Club, General Manager, Football Operations, 1998 – 2006

• Geelong Football Club - 2007 current – General Manager Football Operations

2 x AFL Premierships (2007 & 2009) and 1 X pre season NAB Cup Premiership (2009).

Neil is married to Carmel, has four children, enjoys getting away with family and friends, good food, music and travelling.

Kevin Diggerson - General Manager Media & Public Relations

Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business

Kevin Diggerson has led Geelong’s media and public relations activities since 2003. Working with an energetic and committed staff, the Cats have instigated a highly successful strategy of communicating with their supporters through both traditional and new media. The launch of CATS TV in 2010 has seen even greater scope for the Cats’ stars to be accessible to supporters around the world.

Before joining the Cats Diggerson spent time working with the AFL website and the National Basketball League. He has worked on the media unit with the Australian teams at three summer and one winter Olympic Games.

Steve Hocking - General Manager Team Performance

Steve played 199 games with the Cats in an 11 year career and was recognised as one of the league's toughest players. He appeared in two grand finals and was named as the club's most determined player four times including three consecutive seasons from 1988 to 1990. Considered a back pocket specialist, Hocking played with the Cats for over a decade and fell one game short of reaching 200 games when he retired after ending up on the losing 1994 AFL Grand Final team.

In 2006, and after two seasons as chairman of the Cats match committee, Steve sold his picture framing business and returned to Simonds Stadium as Training Services Manager. Steve’s role was to be responsible for the planning, management and implementation of all training services for the club. This also included the co-ordination of all medical, physiotherapy, fitness and conditioning requirements on training and match days. Steve was duly promoted to Assistant General Manager Football Operations to support Neil Balme (General Manager Football Operations). In 2013, Steve was promoted to the role of General Manager of Team Performance.

Steve lives in Geelong, is married to Annemarie and they have 2 children Rhys & Alana.

Rosie King - General Manager People & Culture

Master of Business Management

Rosie joined the Geelong Cats in September 2010 as the General Manager, People and Culture having previously held senior human resource roles in the commercial, not-for-profit and government sectors. 

During time spent in New Zealand, Rosie was the General Manager, Organisational Development for Sport and Recreation New Zealand, where she worked with many of the high performance sporting organisations helping to build their human resource capability. Rosie is committed to the philosophy of life long learning and is an advocate of vocational education. She has a Masters in Business Management; has been a member of various Boards in the education and training sector and is currently on the Community Advisory Board of the Deakin Clinical School of Medicine. 

Rosie is undertaking a PhD and her area of research is “How to build a competitive advantage in an equalized high performance sport setting”.  

Rosie and her family live in Buninyong, a rural township near Ballarat.  

David Lever - General Manager Commercial Operations

David joined the Cats in August 2009 in the role of General Manager Commercial Operations.

David brings to the team a true sports marketing specialist with fifteen years of knowledge and experience gained through senior management positions with Australia’s most high profile brands, sports and events.

With an understanding that relationships are the key to great partnerships, and a brand marketing mindset when approaching clients, major events and properties, you have a professional dedicated to delivering results on time, on budget, and with maximum impact on behalf of employers and clients alike.

Prior to joining the Cats, David spent 5 years at the AFL as the Manager, Corporate Partners. Key outcomes during this period included:

• developing and implementing marketing and leverage programs on behalf of clients to maximize their ROI in their AFL partnerships;

• increasing corporate partner revenue by more than 100%;

• strengthening relationships with key corporate clients resulting in minimal client churn; and

• developing and delivering a long term sales plan for the AFL.

Prior to the AFL, David managed the Victorian office for respected sports research and brand measurement company S-COMM Australia.

David began his career in the sports marketing industry with 10 years at global sports marketing business Octagon. During this time, he was across all facets of the business including Event Management and Production, Athlete Management, Media and PR and Consulting. Highlights of the Octagon period include leading the consulting function of the business in the lead up and through the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. This role included the delivery of key partner leverage programs on behalf of AMP, Holden and IBM, all major partners of the Games.

David lives in Melbourne with wife Nicki and primary school age children Sophie and Mitchell.

Rob Threlfall - General Manager of Finance & Administration

Bachelor of Commerce, CPA

Rob began in his role of General Manager Finance and Administration at the Geelong Cats in June 2000.

The core purpose of his position at the Geelong Cats is to manage the financial and administrative function of the Club and provide leadership and strategic direction in accordance with the objectives of the Board. The administration function includes information technology, facility management and company secretarial duties. Rob is also responsible for delivery of the Club’s major infrastructure developments.

Prior to joining the Geelong Cats Rob spent eight years working for Newcrest Mining Ltd, an Australian gold mining company, four years in Melbourne at Head Office and four years on secondment to Indonesia where he managed the finance and corporate affairs of the Company’s interests in Asia.

In 2008, Rob was awarded the AFL’s Graeme Samuel Scholarship to further his career development with the Club and the AFL. As a consequence, Rob completed an executive education course at Harvard Business School in Boston, MA and visited a number of sporting clubs and stadiums in New York and Boston.

Rob grew up in Geelong and completed his secondary education at St Joseph’s College.

Rob lives in Geelong, is married to Fiona and they have three school age children Ben, Sam and Meghan.