The Geelong Football Club has boosted its board with the appointment of Kate Spargo as a director.

Kate currently serves as a director of a number of companies and has been the chairman of engineering company UGL Ltd. since 2014. Kate is also on a number of boards including Sonic Healthcare Ltd., Fletcher Building Ltd., Adairs Ltd. and Sigma Pharmaceuticals. Kate is also a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and Pain Medicine foundation.

“Kate brings a wealth of experience to our board, along with a passion for the club,” Geelong Cats president Colin Carter said.

“Kate has a long history of success as a company director along with a career as a legal practioner. She will bring a strong skill base to our club and is an outstanding addition to our board.”

Kate is excited to have joined the board of the club she has passionately supported since moving briefly to Geelong in 1971.

“I have long loved football, and after spending time in Geelong in 1971 it was quickly evident that the Cats were the club for me,” Kate said.

“Since then I have hardly missed watching a game and I am proud to support a club that displays such great values and ambition.

“For many years I have been interested in the approaches that sporting teams have in applying business principles and practices to the administration of elite clubs. The clubs, such as Geelong, that have done this well are now looked at by other business for insight into how to run a successful operation.

“I believe the Geelong Football Club is a great example of a highly professional business in which personal well-being, community, social, ethical and business principles merge. Areas such as player safety and well-being, succession, and sports ethics related to governance, risk and social responsibility are of particular interest and I am looking forward to contributing to an already well-functioning board and club.”

Kate was officially appointed as a director on Wednesday 27 April at the club’s regular board meeting and will take up her role immediately.