After 15 years at the Geelong Football Club, Cats general manager of major projects & foundation director Rob Threlfall has decided that it’s time to move on and seek a new senior executive challenge, and to capitalise on his experiences and professional development whilst at the Cats.

“The opportunities that are in the market place for Rob are ripe and the Club fully respects his decision which we know has been a very difficult one for him to make,” Geelong CEO Brian Cook said.

Rob commenced his employment in June 2000 as general manager finance and administration, and in 2009 responsibility for the delivery of Simonds Stadium redevelopments was added to the portfolio.

Rob held this role until his desire to take on a wider club sustainability focus last year which included the very complex stage four redevelopment and the establishment of the Geelong Cats Foundation as Director.

“Rob has played a vital role in our growth and success over the journey, his contribution to the club has been second to none and as importantly Rob has always operated with the club’s best interests in mind and done so with his values and integrity intact,” Cook said.

During this time Rob oversaw the conversion of an operating loss of $1.1million in 1999 to 14 consecutive profits from 2000 – 2013, and during this time the club’s gross turnover increased from $19million to $55million.

In 2008, Rob was awarded the AFL’s Graeme Samuel Scholarship to further his career development in leadership, marketing and management. The scholarship took Rob to Harvard Business School in Boston as well as visits to a number of sporting clubs and stadiums throughout the United States.

“Rob’s wider community involvement has also been substantial. Many of you know that Rob is at heart a St Joey’s boy and since 1987 he has held various Board and Committee roles at the Football & Netball Club, Cricket Club as well as the College’s Foundation. He is a graduate of the Committee for Geelong’s Leadership program, and has also held varied Board roles in Geelong including Geelong Performing Arts Centre Trust and the Committee for Geelong’s Strategy and Policy Committee,” said Cook.

“We are also currently exploring ways with Rob to ensure he and his family remains connected to the club.”
Threlfall expressed his pride at the time he has spent at the club.

“My family and I have had a wonderful time at the Cats over the 15 years, and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to help the club progress to what we have today,” Threlfall said.

“It has been a fulfilling and exciting journey both professionally and personally, and I wish to thank everyone for their support over the years. Fiona and I have made 100s of friends for life. I would like to specifically thank Frank, Brian, Colin and all Board members and Exec members, plus all the staff that I have worked with in my time at the club.

“Brian has always provided strong guidance and been very supportive of my professional development of which I will be always grateful.

“It is time to move to another challenge, hopefully not quite the challenge we faced here 15 years ago! The club was certainly facing serious financial hardship at that time, and a united Board and staff worked hard and smart over a number of years to drive the club out of that position into the more prosperous situation we are in today. A big thanks to the various finance and admin teams over the years that have been committed to me and the club at all times.

“I think all current and past staff and players are all very proud of the evolution of the club and the resultant positive impact on the community, and we should all be pleased we have been part of it.

“The joy of winning the flags is still felt, especially in 2007 after such a long drought and having seen the decisions and work undertaken from 2000 to get there. Fiona and I very much look forward continuing to be involved in some capacity in the future.”

The highlights of Rob’s time at the club include:

• Winning both AFL and VFL flags, and seeing the increased pride and self-esteem in Geelong people as a result.
• The opening of each stage of the stadium’s redevelopment, including the amazing light towers. The towers perhaps more than anything ensured that we will continue to keep playing many home games in Geelong
• Witnessing the ongoing evolution of the players, coaches and all support staff in order to keep pace with the forever changing game
• The strengthening of the Club’s reputation in the eyes of so many in and outside the industry