Storm appoints Waldron as CEO

Melbourne Storm has today appointed one of the country?s leading sports administrators as its new chief executive in St Kilda Football Club chief executive, Brian Waldron.

A driving force behind the resurgence of St Kilda both on and off the field, Waldron joins Melbourne Storm after five years with the Saints and previously six years with Richmond Football Club. After resigning from the St Kilda board last month, Waldron will join the Storm on November 1.

?Melbourne Storm has grown into an exciting vibrant club,? said Waldron.

?I can see significant opportunities for the Storm to continue to grow, both on and off the field, and to operate successfully alongside the AFL. I want to be part of that future.

?Obviously the Storm operates under a unique set of circumstances within the NRL as the only league club in Melbourne but the loyal support the club has from fans, players, sponsors and its management in News Limited is second to none.?

Waldron was national recruiting manager and general manager, football operations, with Richmond from 1991 to 1997. He then established the Waldron Cook Consulting Group.

In December 1998 he was appointed to the senior management role of strategic planner and company secretary of Elite Sports Properties before joining St Kilda as general manager, football operations, later that year.

In November 2001, he took over as chief executive officer and he has overseen the resurgence of St Kilda?s as one of the AFL?s most profitable clubs.

Melbourne Storm is 100 per cent owned by News Limited.

News Limited chief executive, John Hartigan, said Waldron brought a wide experience of sports administration from both St Kilda and Richmond and unparalleled management knowledge of sports administration

?Melbourne Storm is well coached, well managed and very successful. It has significant potential for growth and I am delighted Brian is joining us as we are entering what is going to be a very exciting time for the club,? said Mr Hartigan.

?The appointment of someone with Brian?s knowledge of the Melbourne market further underlines the commitment News Limited has to the Storm and to rugby league here in Melbourne.?

Mr Hartigan thanked Frank Stanton, who has been interim chief executive officer at the Storm since the departure of John Ribot left in March.

BRIAN WALDRON WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE MEDIA TODAY AT THE MELBOURNE STORM OFFICE (OLYMPIC PARK CAR PARK, OFF SWAN ST) AT 12PM.

STORM TRAINING TODAY IS AT 3PM AT THE EDWIN FLACK OVAL, OLYMPIC PARK. BRONCOS LEGEND ALAN LANGER WILL JOIN THE STORM?S SESSION TODAY.

For further information contact

James Avery: Phone (03) 9421 3222 Mobile: 0411 623 024 javery@melbournestorm.com.au