FOLLOWING four years as general manager, Peter Lodewijks has been appointed the new chairman of the Bendigo Football Club.
Lodewijks replaces David Joss, who announced last month he was stepping down from the chairman’s position he had held since August, 2008.
Joss will stay on the board, and along with Jason Priestley will be deputy chairman, while Brett Flavell will hold the position of treasurer.
Lodewijks will fill the dual role of chairman and executive director of Bendigo’s newly-named VFL club, which will this year go through a transition season as it prepares to go stand-alone in 2013.
With Lodewijks taking over as chairman, football manger Graham Pratt will now take on the added duties as general manager.
“I’ve been doing the general manager’s role since 2007 and there comes a point when it’s probably time for someone else with fresh ideas to come in,” Lodewijks said yesterday.
“So with David standing down as chairman, this was a good opportunity for me to be able to stay involved with the club and assist.”
This year will be the last of the Bendigo-Essendon alignment before both clubs field stand-alone teams next year.
“We are strongly committed to maintaining the momentum already generated by the decision to establish Bendigo’s own VFL team as a stand-alone entity after the 2012 season,” Lodewijks said.
“Developing a stand-alone club within 12 months represents a massive change to the 10 years of alignment and partnership with Essendon and will provide a range of new challenges.
“However, the directors are confident that the club’s governance, football operations and administrative systems have been developed to a level that will support a stand-alone entity.”
Lodewijks expected there to be no issues balancing the focus of ensuring a successful 2012 season with the planning required to be ready to become stand-alone in 2013.
“I think the now as far as this year is taken care of... we’re ready for the 2012 season,” Lodewijks said.
“The players have pretty much been recruited and we know where we stand as far as the relationship with Essendon is concerned.
“The challenge as far as 2013 is concerned is to now start working on the team and what players we’ll have, but most importantly, we’ve got to get someone to coach that team.”
The BFC is seeking expressions of interest from people who wish to join the club as a director.
Those interested can email peter@bendigofc.com.au or by mail at PO Box 470, Golden Square, Vic, 3555.
Meanwhile, the BFC has announced two-year sponsorship deals with Southern Cross Austereo and Energywatch.
“Both sponsors made it clear they were seeking a genuine partnership and a professional relationship with the club and were satisfied that the clearly defined business strategies, goals and corporate objectives would deliver high quality outcomes,” Lodewijks said.
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