Kate Roffey Steps Down

[Demonland 71,936]

ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING PRESIDENCY AND BOARD RENEWAL PROCESS

Melbourne Football Club President Kate Roffey has announced that she will hand over the reins as President to club legend Brad Green as part of a process of Board renewal.

Roffey will step down as President effective immediately and will also vacate her position on the Board.

Roffey, who joined the Melbourne Football Club Board in 2013 and has served as President since 2021 said she was sincerely grateful for all the support she has received throughout her tenure

“As I finish up my incredible time with the Melbourne Football Club, I pass on my sincere thanks to all those who have supported me along the way – fellow Directors, CEO Gary Pert and the staff who work so tirelessly behind the scenes, our football department, in particular our Head Coaches Simon Goodwin and Mick Stinear, Footy Boss Alan Richardson, and our members, yes – especially the Mighty Demon Army,” said Roffey.

“To the families of our players, thank you! "And of course, to the men and women who play for the red and the blue – by far the most rewarding part of a President’s role is having the opportunity to know you all and share a hug.

“As always, I will be sitting in the stands cheering you on.

“My best goes to everyone for the ongoing success of the Mighty Dees!

Incoming Melbourne Football Club President Brad Green thanked Roffey for her outstanding leadership.

"Kate’s legacy as President is outstanding and we owe her a debt of gratitude. She took over at a tumultuous time, brought great stability to the Board and backed our management team and football department to deliver premierships,” said Green.

“Under Kate's Presidency, Melbourne has experienced record membership growth and won both an AFL and AFLW Premiership. Kate has overseen the delivery of strong financial results, as well as steering the Casey Fields development, and the creation of the club’s Future Fund.

"As the first female President of Melbourne Football Club, Kate has etched her name among the great pioneers of our game. She loves our members and fans and always has them at the forefront of her decision making.”

Green said he would lead a review of the Board aimed at resetting and refreshing its performance.

“I am honoured to have been chosen as President by my colleagues and proud to continue to serve this great club which has given me so many opportunities in life.

“I have told my colleagues that I will lead the review process and once it is completed I would like to give the Board the opportunity to vote again on the Presidency.

“This will be a collaborative reset of the Board and it’s important that we are honest with each other about where we have succeeded, and where we could have done better.

“There is no doubt that we need to turn the faith and belief of our members and fans into results and performance, and the Board stands at the top of that process.

“We are united by a love for this footy club and I want to bring us all together as one red and blue force.”

[The heart beats true 18,123]

Well there ya go.

[Jaded No More 68,879]

Brad Green? Mind. Blown.

But at least it sounds like a review is happening.

[DubDee 25,784]

Good to see changes begin to happen. 

We need to improve culture and communication 

 

Best of luck Kate

[dees189227 12,385]

Interesting.  Now we'll get headlines about board trouble 

[Adelaide Dee 4]

Maybe Brad can do something about the forward line .... at least he has some experience !

[Whispering_Jack 29,939]

Thank you Kate.

You’ll always be remembered as the President who took us out of the wilderness after 57 years.

[Jibroni 5,002]

Best of luck to Brad, hopefully he will receive the support from the other board members.

[roy11 3,846]

2 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

Brad Green? Mind. Blown.

But at least it sounds like a review is happening.

I am not sure of his credentials, but it seems like he's put his hand up and is willing act in an quasi-interim position whilst the review takes place.

Hopefully whatever issues there may be, can be swiftly resolved or put on the road to recovery and then board can make an informed decision/vote following the review. 

[Ted Lasso 19,459]

I do hope that it's not lost on anyone the significant role she's played not only in helping win the flag in 2021, but guiding the club through a number of significant challenges off the field since she took over. While i agree it was the right time for her to go i definitely would want to acknowledge the role she's played and the positive impact she's had! 

[Jaded No More 68,879]

3 minutes ago, dees189227 said:

Interesting.  Now we'll get headlines about board trouble 

What trouble? She stepped aside without a fuss. She only has one year left on her term anyway.

I think a good club and a good leader does just that.

She saw us through some hard times and through some of the very best times, including 2 premierships, and financially we've never been in a better position.

I think it was the right thing to do, but she has earnt my respect for what she did when she became president, and the gracious way in which she bowed out. 

 

1 minute ago, roy11 said:

I am not sure of his credentials, but it seems like he's put his hand up and is willing act in an quasi-interim position whilst the review takes place.

Hopefully whatever issues there may be, can be swiftly resolved or put on the road to recovery and then board can make an informed decision/vote following the review. 

I think from all the people on our board, he would be the most credentialed to lead a footy department review, having played the game, and also been involved at other clubs not just our own.

At least we can be sure that he has the very best interests of our club at heart, and this is not some ego driven thing to retain his position.

[DeeSpencer 25,644]

Farewell I guess. Seems I got it wrong about being able to stay once she lost the job. 

I have no real idea what a board review will achieve, apart from highlighting they’ve not achieved much. 

The real question is who is stepping in.

Only once that’s done will someone actually start to make some changes.

Edited September 6 by DeeSpencer

[bluey 1,100]

Sad day, many people should hang their head.

[BDA 22,741]

The club was a shambles in 2013 so to be part of the board that took the club from basket case to the flag is highly commendable. Thank you Kate.

 

[Swooper1987 3,322]

She's done a good job over an 11 year period as a board member. It's a different club from 2013 to now. Green is the right person to oversee the review, and maybe the right person for a longer term presidency.  Time will tell. 

[Little Richard 6,262]

Was inevitable after that interview IMO. Thanks for your service Kate.

[Demonland 71,936]

 

[DeeSpencer 25,644]

Turns out she has to go because of term limits once she lost the presidency. 

Just please please go quietly Kate, your reputation will be enhanced if you do!

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,734]

4 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

The speed at which she’s bailed indicates she had no interest in digging in and actually getting something done. Very worrying.

I have no real idea what a board review will achieve, apart from highlighting they’ve not achieved much. 

The real question is who is stepping in.

Only once that’s done will someone actually start to make some changes.

You're usually quite perceptive. But your first line is rubbish.

Edited September 6 by La Dee-vina Comedia

[Redleg 40,888]

13 minutes ago, Jibroni said:

Best of luck to Brad, hopefully he will receive the support from the other board members.

Think you will find we have a new President soon, after the review is done.

[Whispering_Jack 29,939]

2 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Thank you Kate.

You’ll always be remembered as the President who took us out of the wilderness after 57 years.

And of course, to Brad Green who I still vividly recall putting Carlton to the sword in a qualifying final in his first season and who showed great courage later in that finals series against Essendon, I wish you good luck in your new role. It’s a tough gig but you have what it takes to face up to everything the enemy puts in your way and I look forward to you taking us out of the wilderness next year 😀

[Dannyz 2,732]

She delivered the premiership but she never delivered the new facility. 

Ultimately that is why she joined the board. 

Green will only preside over the review and will hand the reins over afterwards. 

[Demon17 5,188]

13 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

Brad Green? Mind. Blown.

But at least it sounds like a review is happening.

Brad's a class act. If you read his statement, after the review of the Board he wants the Presidency to go back to a Board vote. He's a caretaker until that time.

Steven Smith appointed then voted in as Chairman by the Board written all over this.  Nice move, and given Trac's comments that misrepresented Roffey, I hope he's happy with himself.

Well done Kate for your efforts for over a decade on the Board.

[seventyfour 1,135]

Needed to happen.

Sounds like Brad is interim, fine with that, fans will probably be happy.

[Sir Windsor 219]

This was all part of an elaborate plan to get back in the media cycle.

Jokes aside. Thanks for your service Kate.