Sydney Swans legend Rick Quade today informed the Board that, after a period spanning 38 years in an array of roles, he would not be seeking re-election as a Director at the Swans AGM on 13 March.
Swans Chairman Richard Colless said: "To have Rick not involved in some formal capacity after all this time is going to feel very strange. The term legend is bandied about very freely but there is actually no question in the extraordinary history of our Club, Rick Quade is one of the true legends. He has been an outstanding player, leader, coach and administrator. He is one of the most selfless people that I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. Without him, we would not exist today.”
“For me it has been a tremendous privilege to serve on the Board of the Swans and to work with Richard and the other Board members to make a contribution to where the Club is today,” Rick Quade said.
“The main reason I’m standing down is that boards are a bit like footy teams themselves, they (boards) need revitalising every now and then.
“There obviously remain many challenges ahead for the Swans but I have no doubt the Club is in the right hands with Richard, Myles Baron-Hay, Andrew Ireland and Paul Roos there to meet those challenges.
“It has been a great honour to have been involved with a Club which has such a fantastic culture and I’m proud when people talk of the top teams in Australian sport and the Swans are invariably mentioned right up the top of the list.”
Rick Quade played 164 games with the Swans from 1970–1980 and was captain from 1977-1979. He was acknowledged as Club Best & Fairest in 1976.
He was appointed as senior coach of the inaugural Swans team in Sydney from 1982-1984 and had a number of terms as Chairman of Selectors and has been a Director of the Club since 1995. Rick is also a Life Member of the Sydney Swans and the AFL.
His place on the Sydney Swans Board of Directors will be taken by Greg Paramor, CEO of Mirvac Limited.
Mr Colless said that the Board was delighted that Greg Paramor had accepted its invitation to replace Rick Quade.
Mr Colless said: "Greg Paramor has a long and distinguished business career and an active involvement in a wide ranging number of community and government related activities."
Mr Paramor, who is a long time supporter and benefactor of the Swans, is currently CEO of Mirvac Limited and also on the Board of Australian Agricultural Limited. He is a Director of a number of not-for-profit organisations, including the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, National Breast Cancer Foundation and Green Building of Australia.
He was also recently appointed to the Business Advisory Group which will work with the Federal Government on the drafting of the substantive workplace relations legislation to be introduced later this year.
