THE MELBOURNE Football Club would like to announce that Glen Bartlett has been appointed President of the Club.

Bartlett was elected to the position by the Club’s Board at a meeting of Board members on Friday, and has the support of the AFL, which is assisting with efforts to reinvigorate the Club to achieve greater on and off-field success.

Following the resignation earlier this year of four Board members, and a comprehensive review of the Board, a board nominations sub-committee was formed to select new Board members to reposition the Club. The AFL is represented on this committee by AFL General Counsel Andrew Dillon.  The sub-committee is currently interviewing further candidates to join the Club’s Board.

Bartlett said, “It is a privilege and, indeed, an honour to be appointed President of the Melbourne Football Club. I acknowledge the responsibility attached to this position and, of course, the challenge that comes with such an appointment.  I would like to thank the Board and the AFL for their support and faith in me.

“I am excited about the challenge and am looking forward to working with all of the Club’s stakeholders to make the Melbourne Football Club strong and successful."

Bartlett was appointed to the Board in July 2013. He will assume the Presidency immediately from interim president Peter Spargo, and will make his first address as President in the Club’s President’s function on Sunday when Melbourne plays Fremantle at the MCG. Glen is a Foundation Hero, a Melbourne Business Community Member and has been a significant corporate supporter of the Club since 2011 after moving to Melbourne for work from Perth.

Dillon said the AFL welcomed Bartlett’s elevation to the Presidency and said he was well placed to oversee the changes necessary at the Club.

“Glen Bartlett is very well credentialled in both a football and business sense, and has the support of the AFL in leading the Melbourne Football Club Board as it moves to take the Club into an era of sustained competitiveness and success,” Dillon said.

“Glen’s extensive experience with football in Western Australia and his passion for the Melbourne Football Club, combined with an impressive legal career, means he has the right skills and insights to lead the Demons at this critical time.

“The AFL is confident Glen is well placed to work closely and enthusiastically with CEO Peter Jackson to drive the necessary reforms across the Club.”

Glen Bartlett - Background

Employment
Glen, until very recently, was Managing Partner of leading Australian law firm Clayton Utz in Melbourne.  Glen has worked in the area of industrial relations since 1986 and as a lawyer acting for employers since 1994. 

 

In 2009, Glen moved to Melbourne with his family to assist Clayton Utz to rebuild its workplace relations practice.

During 2010 Glen was appointed Managing Partner of Clayton Utz Melbourne with his three year term ceasing on 30 June 2013.  Glen has been recognised by Best Lawyers Australia in the areas of industrial relations and employment law and also Government. He has also performed considerable community and pro bono work during this period including as one of the Business Mentors in the Victoria Police Leadership Program.

Glen has previously run his own law firm and was an academic lecturing and tutoring at Murdoch University from 1991-1994.

Glen holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours).


Football

Glen is a life member of East Perth Football Club having played League football from 1983 -1993 including four years as Captain before retiring at age 26 to focus on his law career. 

His football career also involved being selected in the inaugural West Coast Eagles team. He had a reputation as a rugged defender which culminated with him winning the Eagles Best Club Man Award in the Club’s inaugural season. 

Glen finished his league career at East Perth playing Full Forward and winning the WAFL Goal kicking award in 1990 and coming second in 1991 with 90 goals. 

His football related experience also includes:

  • President of the WAFL Players Association
  • Vice-Captain of the WA state team (1990)
  • Assistant Coach and runner at Subiaco Football Club (1997)
  • Captain-Coach Narrogin Towns (1994)
  • Member of the Appeals Tribunal for the WAFL (2004-2008)
  • Honorary Legal Adviser on Rules to the WAFL (2000 - 2008)
  • Co-founder and a Director with John Worsfold and Reg Gillard of a sports management company called Specialist Sports Management (1997-2001)
  • Initial WA Representative on the Board of the AFL Player Agents Association set up to educate and regulate player managers (1998-2000)
  • Assistant Forward Coach at St Kevin's School since 2011

From 2007-2008 Glen also sat on the Board for Venues West, a government owned statutory body in WA which owns and operates sporting venues and stadiums.

Glen is married to Janine and they have four sons.