Geelong Football Club chief executive Brian Cook will continue in his role for at least another three years after agreeing to a contract extension with the club

Cook has been in the role since March 1999 and has overseen the club’s rise to prominence both on and off the field.

During his tenure, he has built an outstanding executive team and the Cats have posted 11 consecutive years of profit. Debt has been reduced to manageable levels even while two major redevelopments of the stadium have been completed and a third is about to commence. Membership levels have been increased to record levels; a function centre at Point Cook has been established; and a 44 year premiership drought was ended in spectacular fashion in 2007, followed by a second flag in 2009.

Cook was named Australian sports executive of the year in 2007 by the Confederation of Australian Sport.

“Brian has proved himself to be an outstanding person and CEO and we are fortunate to have had him at the helm for over a decade, and it goes without saying we are thrilled that he will continue in that role,” Geelong president Colin Carter said.

“Brian and the board recognise that there is significant work still to be done to ensure the long term viability and success of the club. We all want this club to continue to be strong in all facets over the long haul, not just in the short term.

“Brian will continue to drive the club as its CEO and all of our supporters and members will join with the board in affirming him as he continues as our chief executive. We know that we are in good hands and that Brian leads an outstanding executive team.”

Cook, who joined the club after an equally impressive term as CEO of the West Coast Eagles, said the decision to renew his contract was not a difficult decision for him.

“We have been able to achieve some exceptional things here but importantly there are more challenges ahead,” Cook said.

“We cannot be scared of striving for greatness. We have a group of people that are determined to set the success of the club up for generations to come and it is exciting and challenging to be able to continue to lead this effort. We are looking forward at what we can do rather than backwards at what we have done. That makes the club an exciting place to be and a dynamic environment for all of us.”