Gold Coast targets Bombers' Auld as its first chief executive

[bombers_4_ever]

This was also posted on the Essendon board.





ESSENDON'S chief operating officer and football department chief, Travis Auld, is the preferred candidate to be the inaugural chief executive of the incoming Gold Coast club.
Auld, the leading internal candidate at Essendon to succeed Peter Jackson as chief executive, is understood to have edged out Geelong's second in command, Stuart Fox, and the fledgling club's current COO Scott Munn as the 17th club's preferred chief executive.
While Auld has not yet received a formal offer, he is believed likely to accept the position, even though he is a leading candidate, perhaps the favourite, for the Windy Hill job.
Auld is said to view the Gold Coast job as a prized, once-in-a-career opportunity to build a club from the ground up. If he wins the job, his departure will have ramifications for the Bombers.
Auld had been positioned by the board and its chairman Ray Horsburgh as the frontrunner for the chief executive's position when Jackson steps down at the end of this season. Auld has been the head of the football operations, having presided over the rebuilding of that department following the departure of legendary coach Kevin Sheedy and installing of Matthew Knights.
The Bombers, however, have started a process of finding their next CEO — having appointed a headhunter — and while Auld was considered the favourite, there were no guarantees that he would be appointed to succeed Jackson, who is standing down from the position after 13 years at the helm of the one of the competition's proudest and most powerful clubs.
The Gold Coast position is considered a prize in football administration, because of the blank canvas it offers officials, the chance to build a strong playing list via recruiting rules, including the lion's share of the 2010 draft, a "clean" stadium at Carrara and the backing of the AFL.
The appointment of the first CEO of the new club means that the Gold Coast will have filled three of its key posts more than 18 months before it plays its first game.
The 17th team has already appointed Guy McKenna as coach for this year and 2010, the former Eagles star and Collingwood assistant coach considered a short-priced favourite to be the club's first senior coach, though McKenna has no formal guarantee.
Recruiting manager Scott Clayton also has been secured and has started work on assembling a list that will be built on the pick of players born in 1992 — it can pick 12 elite 17-year-olds who are ineligible for this year's draft, and has picks 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 in the 2010 national draft. The next key appointment for the Gold Coast will be the football operations chief.


http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/gold-coast-targets-bombers-auld-as-its-first-chief-executive/2009/05/11/1241893918338.html


Not good for us Essendon Fans but good luck to him.


(http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/gold-coast-targets-bombers-auld-as-its-first-chief-executive/2009/05/11/1241893918338.html)

[CoastBhoy]

Well looks to be a 3 horse race between Auld , Fox and Munn , who are you putting your money on ??

[bombers_4_ever]

I'm going for Auld in a very tight race against Fox. He'll win by 1 vote. If that's how they do it these days.

[TheOldThreads]

Will be a blow for the bombers.

[CoastBhoy]

Auld is new for GCFCNick Smart

May 14th, 2009

ESSENDON chief operating officer Travis Auld is expected to next week be unveiled as the first chief executive officer of the Gold Coast Football Club.

Auld, the football department chief at the Bombers, is the strong frontrunner for a job that has been hotly contested.

While not confirmed, it is believed Auld has won the job over Geelong second-in-charge Stuart Fox and GCFC chief operating officer Scott Munn, who has already told the club he will be heading back to Melbourne.

At the age of 36, Auld would be the youngest chief executive officer in the AFL.

The interview process for the job was conducted by AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan, AFL executive Andrew Catterall, GCFC chairman John Witheriff and GCFC board member Dr Alan Mackenzie.

It is believed they were highly impressed by Auld's presentation and the direction he put forward for the club.

The AFL always maintained they wanted a person in the GCFC chief executive role who has already been in the AFL system at a club in a similar role. Auld has more than 10 years experience at Essendon and a background in finance and commercial operations.

Despite his young age, Auld is well known for his drive and is highly regarded at Bomberland.

Geelong chief executive Brian Cook was heavily targeted last year for the role but decided to remain with the Cats.

It was then thrown open to the public, with many applications received.

Munn, who has built up a strong relationship with Witheriff, was on the short-list and looked to be in the box seat when it was revealed last week that fellow contender Dale Dickson has re-signed with the council. But sources close to the club suggest the AFL could not go past Auld.

If Auld does head north, it will leave Essendon in a difficult position. Auld was the leading internal candidate at Essendon to succeed Peter Jackson as chief executive, who recently announced he will stand down at the end of the season. Although the Essendon position was tempting, it is understood Auld saw the Coast as a big chance.

As well as chief operating officer, Auld has been head of football operations at Essendon, having presided over the rebuilding of that department following the departure of long-time coach Kevin Sheedy and the installing of Matthew Knights.

PORT Adelaide tagger Kane Cornes is reviving memories of the indestructible Jim Stynes with a desperate bid to shrug off a shoulder injury and take his place in the Power's 22 against Richmond on Sunday.

Cornes injured his right AC joint during the loss to North Melbourne, joining fellow prime mover Steve Salopek (dislocated shoulder) on the bench.

Both players have had their recovery time slated at up to three weeks, but Cornes has made it clear to teammates he intends to play this week and keep a run of 134 consecutive AFL games going.

"Kane wants to play, there's no question about that," said ruckman Dean Brogan yesterday. "Actually with AC joints they're very painful when you first do them but three or four days later they settle down a lot.

"So he's feeling pretty good."

[Gold Coast 666]

Gold Coast Football Club will benefit greatly if they get Travis Auld from Essendon.He has been around the AFL system for 10 years and knowing how well run and professional the EFC have been with Auld will make his appointment a HUGE LOSS for them...:)