Wade in return to the fold
SCOTT Wade is back in football administration.
Wade, who was AFL Tasmania boss for almost 17 years, has joined the Clarence board at its invitation — but he won’t only be a board member.
It is understood he will be elevated to president as part of an orderly transition when current president Margaret Sutherland steps down before the end of the year.
When contacted by the Mercury last night, Wade declined to comment. He said the current president was the club’s spokesperson but he would have more to say in the near future.
Sutherland was unavailable to comment yesterday.
It is believed Wade, 61, was first approached to join the board by Clarence’s past players and officials group.
He is also president of the Clarence District Cricket Club and it is believed he will juggle the two roles.
A former Hawthorn, Tasmanian and Clarence premiership rover, Wade was appointed general manger of Football Tasmania (later AFL Tasmania) in 1999 and later chief executive.
Wade was in charge during the demise of the original statewide league, the rise and fall of the Devils and the rebirth of the second state league, the TSL.
He was in charge when the code was governed by an independent board, which included Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale and multiple AFL club recruiting guru Scott Clayton. But in April, 2015, the board dissolved itself and handed control to the AFL, as was the set-up in other states.
Less than a year later, Wade was shown the door.
The Roos are searching for a new coach, preferably a playing coach, to replace Jeromey Webberley.
brett.stubbs@news.com.au