NORTH Ballarat chief executive officer Mark Patterson has quit the football club.
Mr Patterson announced today he was resigning immediately and would not seek an extension to contract.
He has been with the club for almost 11 years and has overseen a 10-year alignment with AFL club North Melbourne, which played a key role in the Roosters’ three consecutive Victorian Football League premierships (2008-2010).
In a statement released to media on Friday, Mr Patterson simply thanked the football community for their support but has not yet made clear his reasons for stepping down.
“I wish to thank the North Ballarat Football Club for the wonderful opportunity it has provided me to lead this amazing club. I have enjoyed assisting the club on its journey to become one of the leading sporting clubs in the state,” Mr Patterson said.
“I look forward to continuing my association with this great club by supporting the Roosters, the Rebels and North City and attending as many matches as I can. I also look forward to supporting my son Charles, who continues to play in the under-16.5 team.”
“I have had the privilege to work with so many fantastic people at North Ballarat from board members, staff, volunteers, stake holders and the club’s passionate members, and I wish to thank them one and all”.
Mr Patterson also listed bringing AFL football and Western Bulldogs to Eureka Stadium next year with major venue redevelopment and infrastructure upgrades as a major highlight in his role.
He has also played a key role in reestablishing North Ballarat as a standalone VFL club and working to strengthen depth by axing the VFL development team to allow players to return to their grassroots clubs when not required. North Ballarat also reintroduced a senior football and netball arm back into the Ballarat Football League in 2007, under Mr Patterson’s watch.
North Ballarat chairman Jenny Bromley, in a joing statement with Mr Patterson, thanked the long-serving CEO for his dedication and hard work.
“On behalf of everyone at the club I would like to thank Mark for his great service and we wish him very well for his future endeavours,” Ms Bromeley said.
