Watson-Wheeler a unanimous choice as Bulldogs President

[Eastdog]

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/n...dogs-president




Watson-Wheeler a unanimous choice as Bulldogs President
Kylie Watson-Wheeler was unanimously voted in by the Bulldogs’ directors at a board meeting on Monday, prior to the 2020 Annual General Meeting.


Kylie Watson-Wheeler has officially been elected as the Western Bulldogs’ newest President.


Watson-Wheeler, who has served as the Club’s Vice-President for the last four years, was unanimously voted in by the Bulldogs’ directors at a board meeting on Monday, prior to the 2020 Annual General Meeting.

Earlier this month, Gordon announced that he would step down as the Club’s President after two extraordinary stints, from 1989 to 1996, and again from 2012.

His last official duty was to chair the virtual AGM, which capped off another strong off-field performance for the Bulldogs in 2020.

Watson-Wheeler, a lifelong Bulldogs supporter, is the Senior Vice President & Managing Director of the Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand, leading one of the largest media and entertainment companies in ANZ.

“It’s an absolute honour to succeed Peter Gordon as the President of our beloved club, and I’m grateful for the support of Peter, the entire board and the Club’s leadership,” Watson-Wheeler said.

“During my past seven years on the Board, there’s no question under Peter’s leadership our club has evolved in ways that many of us long-standing supporters could never have possibly imagined.

“It’s not lost on me that I follow two of the most impressive and influential figures in our club’s history.

“It was David Smorgon who first sought out my expertise to support the Club and Peter who appointed me to the board, later anointing me as his Vice-President and ultimately recommending me as his successor.

“It’s certainly exciting times ahead and I couldn’t be more humbled and thrilled to be a part of it.”

At the 2020 AGM, Bulldogs Directors Chris Nolan and Jerril Rechter were appointed for another three-year term.

The Club also announced its latest life members, including long-term player sponsors Roy and Jan Pearce, former statistician and volunteer Robert Baker, 10-year Bulldogs employees Nick Truelson, Jo Parr and Harjit Sangar, and 10-year employee at the Peninsula Club, Wendy Faure.

Five Bulldogs players will also be awarded life membership at the 2021 Season Launch for reaching 150 games or 10 years at the Club, including Jackson Macrae, Mitch Wallis, Tom Liberatore and Jason Johannisen, and Tory Dickson became a life member as a retired premiership player.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Congratulations Kylie WW.
Fantastic appointment. I look forward to sharing the journey with you at the helm.

[Twodogs]

Congrats to the new boss.

Only the third new face since 1989.

[Eastdog]

Congrats to Kylie!

Hopefully another premiership is not far away.

[whythelongface]

Congrats to Kylie.

[josie]

Congrats Kylie!!

Enjoyed hearing about how RWB runs through your veins.

Club is in a good spot at present. Confident you & Ameet & rest of Board will do all you can to continue to steer us in the right direction &, with a bit of luck, towards another premiership sometime soon.

[jeemak]

I actually know a couple of cats who have come out of the WDC and they seem to be pretty positive about the culture. I don't think we've done badly at all here.

Let's see how we go.......it's a massive undertaking trying to step into Gordon's shoes and I hope KWW is up to it.

[Mofra]

Have heard very good things about her (and Gordon) from sports administrators not involved with AFL.

[SonofScray]

She's clearly got the requisite skills and knowledge based on employment history and the endorsement of the most successful Club board in our history. A great opportunity for her and the Club to keep taking strides deep into the future.

[Bulldog4life]

Congrats Kylie!!

Enjoyed hearing about how RWB runs through your veins.

Club is in a good spot at present. Confident you & Ameet & rest of Board will do all you can to continue to steer us in the right direction &, with a bit of luck, towards another premiership sometime soon.

Well said Josie. Always great to hear of a Bulldogite being appointed to a prominent position in the club. Go Kylie do your thing and lead the doggies into our next exciting journey.

[Eastdog]

Interesting our 2 premiership presidents have both served two stints at the club.


Footscray/Western Bulldogs Club Presidents


David Mitchell (1886-1893)

James Tucker (1893-1894)

James Cuming (1894-1911)

Frank Shillabeer (1911-1912)

Arch Crow (1912-1921)

George Sayer (1922, 1926)

James Stephens (1923)

George Farnsworth (1924)

L. Caldecott (1925)

Kevin McCarthy (1926-1938)

Bert Jamieson (1938-1941)

Con Curtain (1941-1946)

Otto Grobbecker (1946-1949)

Con Weickhardt (1949-1952)

Otto Grobbecker (1953-1955) - Premiership president (1954)

Bernie Barry (1955-1960)

Harry Dolphin (1960-1962)

Jim Miller (1962-1966)

Jack Collins (1966-1973)

Dick Collinson (1973-1978)

Charlie Sutton (1979-1981)

G. Gray (1981-1981)

Tony Capes (1982-1988)

Barry Beattie (1988-1989)

Nick Columb (1989–1989)

Peter Gordon (1989–1996)

David Smorgon (1996–2012)

Peter Gordon (2012-2020) - Premiership President (2016)

Kylie Watson-Wheeler (2021-present)

[azabob]

Caro reporting Kylie is still being touted as a candidate for the AFL CEO post.

[Mofra]

Caro reporting Kylie is still being touted as a candidate for the AFL CEO post.

She was mentioned a few months back as being on the half-dozen of shortlisted candidates.
Brendan Gale is still my expected CEO

[azabob]

She was mentioned a few months back as being on the half-dozen of shortlisted candidates.
Brendan Gale is still my expected CEO

In Caro's update only Andrew Dillion and Kylie Watson-Wheeler were mentioned from an AFL perspective.

[Happy Days]

Something really gross about using a club presidency as a corporate stepping stone.