Macarthur South West Sydney A-League club has taken a giant leap forward by appointing the experienced Archie Fraser as its inaugural chief executive officer.
Just 10 years ago Mr Fraser ran the entire A-League as its chief executive officer; as of today he will be spearheading the national competition’s newest club, which will field a team in the 2020-21 season.
Mr Fraser, whose appointment was formally announced today at a media conference in Rydges Campbelltown, promised to help build a club that “everybody can be proud of’’.
Describing himself as a “football tragic’’, Mr Fraser was clearly a happy man this morning sitting next to club chairman Lang Walker and deputy Gino Marra.
“I want to thank Lang and the board for the opportunity to get back to the game I love and I certainly won’t let them down,’’ Mr Fraser told the conference, attended by other board members and Campbelltown Council general manager Lindy Deitz.
“This region is clearly booming, and our intention is to build something everybody is going to be proud of; we will do it together, with a lot of inclusion, and ultimately make the A-League a better place to be,’’ he said.
“We have very clear goals: I think we can run the business really well, professionally, and everything we do is professional.’’
Before running the A-League over two seasons in 2009 and 2010, Mr Fraser was in charge of the St Kilda AFL club, turning around its fortunes during a five year tenure.
“This is a wonderful opportunity because we have some great football people already in the club who know the area, and they have connections to the grassroots, which will be integral to the success of this club,’’ Mr Fraser said.
Asked why the board had chosen Mr Fraser as the first CEO of Macarthur South West Sydney, Gino Marra said he had “ticked all the boxes’’.
“Archie has a world of experience, and he understands what we want to achieve,’’ he said.
“The one word that keeps coming up with our club is legacy, and we want to do something that’s very special in the fastest growing region in the country.
“We believe Archie has what it takes to deliver our vision,’’ Mr Marra said.
The club will be revealing its name and colours at a special luncheon on May 15 in Campbelltown, which will also be a charity fundraiser.
Mr Walker said now the CEO was in place the next big decision for the club was appointing a head coach.
