MOTIVATED BY PASSION

Q AQHow did you find your way into sports administration and ultimately to the Cowboys?

I was working for Telstra and I was offered a promotion and then I got involved with the Western Reds (logo pictured) and at that time News Limited owned the Western Reds and then after the Reds I went to the Broncos and they were both News Limited-owned clubs then News took over the Cowboys in 2001 and asked me to come to Townsville for the 2002 season to try to fix some of the issues News had with the Cowboys. The Cowboys were struggling on and off the field then so I thought that would be a good challenge. So I just kept rolling into different jobs.

So you grew up in Newcastle yet you’re arguably the most passionate Cowboys man around. How does that work?

AI think my upbringing had a huge impact on me. The clubs that I played for in Newcastle, both cricket and football, are clubs that are really close to my heart, I keep in touch with all the people at those clubs and they are passionate about their clubs, so I’ve always been passionate about the club that I’ve been involved with and the Cowboys and the region make it far easier to be passionate. I’ve had a couple of opportunities over the years to leave but I’ve stayed because not only do I love the club, but I love the region. I love the way people in north Queensland go about their lives and the way they care about their communities and I’ve really grown over the years I’ve been here, I’ve grown a real passion for the people, for the region and obviously for the club.