Bond University AFL Club pioneer John Le Lievre has called time on his three-year tenure as President and will pass the baton to life member Sam Whish-Wilson.Â
Le Lievre was appointed President at the end of the 2019 season. At the time the club could not have predicted the chaos that would follow from the Covid-19 pandemic.
His steadfast leadership steered the club successfully through those tumultuous times with the four teams all making finals in 2021 and again this season.
Upon announcing his resignation from the role, Le Lievre declared the club was in a strong position and would continue to prosper under Whish-Wilson’s leadership.
“The Bull Sharks are in a very good space. We have some great people at the club and I am confident that Bond has a very sustainable and positive future,” he said.
He noted the club’s culture as being a highlight over his tenure.
“Everyone on-field and off-field shares the same values; we are united, and we all work together to the same goals,” he said.
Incoming President Whish-Wilson joined the Bull Sharks in 2014 as a player-coach and won premierships in 2014 and 2015 before retiring as a player and then going on to coach the men’s 2019 premiership side.
Whish-Wilson said he was thrilled at the opportunity to give back to the Bull Sharks.
“The Bond Bull Sharks have been part of my life for a decade and I am honoured to be able to contribute to the club’s future success,” he said.
“John Le Lievre has left a great legacy, and my role is to supercharge the club.”
In one of Le Lievre’s final acts, he steered the club through a recent end-of-season review which has led to the recent appointment of Andy Lovell as the new Director of Football, and a number of changes in the coaching ranks which will ensure the Bull Sharks are fully prepared for next season.
Whish-Wilson commences in the role on December 1.