Grant McCabe has officially been appointed President of the Geelong Football Club, at the Club’s Annual General Meeting last night.
McCabe, who has been a director of the Club since 2019, takes on the role from Craig Drummond, who advised in May he would be stepping down after 13 years on the Board.
Having grown up in Geelong, McCabe is currently Managing Partner of global consulting firm Boston Consulting Group, Australia and New Zealand, and brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the Club, having also been appointed by the AFL as independent chair of the AFL Industry Governance Committee for Player Development in 2017.
“I’m honoured and excited to take on the role of President and to continue to serve the Club with the same commitment as Craig, and that in previous leaders such as Colin Carter and Frank Costa OAM” McCabe said.
“We thank Craig for his outstanding service during his tenure and the strong position he has presided over, with consecutive years of record membership, strong financial results, the completion of the Joel Selwood Stand, the delivery of our new AFLW purpose-built locker room and the 2022 Premiership.
“The Board is focused on driving continuous improvement and growth for our Club and I look forward to working closely with the staff, coaches, AFL and AFLW players, partners and our members, to give us every opportunity to be successful on and off the field,” McCabe said.
On his time leading the Club, Drummond said: “It has been a privilege to serve on the Board and as President of Geelong Football Club. Thank you to our members and fans particularly, you are loyal and passionate and provide incredible support across our entire Club.
“Seeing GMHBA Stadium full with blue and white cheering on our teams this past season particularly, has been a real highlight. I wish Grant and the Board, Steve Hocking, the Executive and the administration, Chris Scott, Dan Lowther and their players all the best as they take the Club forward and continue to chase greatness,” Drummond said.
Along with the official appointment of McCabe, current Director Lyndsay Sharp becomes Vice President of the Geelong Football Club.
With more than 35 years’ experience in journalism, marketing and public relations, Sharp is a well-known local in the region with businesses Jack Rabbit Vineyard, Flying Brick Cider Co, Leura Park Estate and Curlewis Golf Club.
She is also a former Board Member of Visit Victoria and has been a Director on Geelong's board since December 2021.
"I’m thrilled to be appointed to Vice President of the Geelong Football Club, a well-respected organisation that has the community at the centre of its DNA," Sharp said.
“As a Board, we are looking forward to working under the leadership of Grant and thank Craig for his outstanding stewardship to date.
"Our Club is set up for an exciting year ahead and I am excited to continue to work with the entire football club as Vice President."
The Club announced the winners of two awards at the Annual General Meeting, with Vernon ‘Mick’ Robinson named the R J Hickey Award recipient, which recognises outstanding service to Australian football, and Ian McTaggart named as the new Carter Costa Service Award recipient, which recognises exceptional service at club or community level within the Geelong Region.
The Club also announced three new Life Members, with Nigel Lappin, Peter Casey and Rob Threlfall all receiving the honour.
Lappin has been part of Geelong’s coaching staff for the past 16 years, holding roles as an assistant coach and development coach, and this year was appointed Head of Development. He has been involved in three AFL Premierships for the Club: 2009, 2011, 2022.
Casey has been recognised for his outstanding service as ‘spotter’ since 1992, with his opinions and assessments of prospective players highly valued by the recruiting team.
Threlfall has made a significant contribution to the Club as both an employee and volunteer since 2000, holding various executive level roles across finance, administration and major projects, as well as being Company Secretary 2000 – 2014, and was a Geelong Cats Foundation Director from 2014-2023.
