Barry Carp has been elected Collingwood president, succeeding Jeff Browne, who announced his departure after three years, citing health concerns.
The decision came during the club's annual general meeting (AGM), where Carp was unanimously appointed. Alongside him, former player Paul Licuria and Jodie Sizer were elected as vice-presidents. “It is a true honour to become the 15th president of the Collingwood Football Club,” Carp stated. He went on to commend Browne for his “strong leadership” during his tenure and highlighted the solid foundation laid for the club’s future success.
Carp, who is well-regarded as one of the premier investment funds managers, emphasized the necessity of building on the club's achievements. He thanked all candidates who ran for the elections, recognizing their desire to contribute to Collingwood’s board. He also congratulated Dan Rosen and Gaye Morris, the newly elected directors, expressing enthusiasm for collaboration moving forward.
Collingwood’s members back the club's governance structure, where the board, elected by members, is responsible for appointing the president and vice-presidents. This AGM was particularly notable as it solidified the leadership changes within one of Australia's most iconic sports franchises.
The transition from Browne to Carp marks a significant moment for the club. Over his three years as president, Browne, who is currently recovering from myeloma, played a pivotal role, including the historic premiership victory of 2023. His leadership helped navigate through considerable transformations within the club, including the onboarding of new football executive Charlie Gardiner.
At the AGM, the club’s financial outlook was also discussed, with CEO Craig Kelly noting the expectation of surpassing annual profits of $6 million. Last year, Collingwood reported earnings of just under $9 million - reflecting strong financial health amid the competitive Australian Football League (AFL) environment.
Recognizing on-field efforts, the Collingwood board awarded life membership to members of the 2023 premiership team, honoring their contributions. Prominent players such as Darcy Moore, Jack Crisp, and Jordan de Goey received accolades for their roles. Tragically, Nathan Murphy, who was forced to retire due to concussion, also received acknowledgment for his impact at the club.
The club’s culture emphasizes recognizing player achievements, as all members from premiership teams gain life memberships throughout their time at Collingwood. Previous life members include Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom, alongside several staff contributions noted at the AGM.
Looking to the future, President Carp’s vision for Collingwood aims to open new avenues for community engagement and innovation. His financial expertise could prove pivotal as the club endeavors to drive sustainability and profitability. Members can anticipate tangible outcomes of this new leadership, with notable trends of increased community involvement and strategies focusing on inclusiveness within the club.
With the strong board members surrounding him, including music executive Rosen and human resources expert Morris, Collingwood’s strategy will be well-rounded. The combination of diverse experiences could lead to fresh ideas and innovation to tackle the prevailing challenges of competitive sportsmanship and fan engagement within the AFL framework.
Collingwood Football Club is undoubtedly entering this new era with optimism. Fans are eager to witness how Carp leads the club as it looks to improve financial stability, uphold its historical commitment to its players, and continue building community connections. Carpet's leadership may pave the way for exciting developments and growth as the wheels of Collingwood turn forward toward renewed ambition and success.
