Bowls Australia appoint General Managers
Bowls Australia have concluded their nationwide search for two newly established General Manager positions, with the organisation today announcing the appointment of Melanie Rutley and Tony Sherwill to the roles of General Manager of Commercial Operations and Bowls Operations respectively.
Melanie joins Bowls Australia from a similar role as the General Manager of Commercial Operations for Netball Victoria and the Melbourne Vixens, and will commence with the organisation from July 1, 2013.
Prior to her time in Netball, Melanie was the National Marketing Manager for Visy for a four year period, and has previously held positions as an Event Project Manager at Valentina & Associates and as the Events and Promotions Manager at Moonee Valley Racecourse.
In her new position, Melanie will provide leadership and direction to the areas of communications and marketing, events, IT and the national merchandising program in accordance with the Bowls Australia Strategic Plan 2013 – 2017, with a focus on increasing sponsorship and commercial revenues for the organisation as well as managing the development of new commercial opportunities.
Tony has spent the past five years as Bowls Australia’s Participation Manger, initiating and steering critical all-of-sport initiatives such as the Community Development Officer program, which attracted the largest ever single increase in funding in the history of the sport and the program provides the sport with the opportunity to deliver national initiatives at club level.
Coming from an extensive background in the sport of bowls, prior to commencing with Bowls Australia, Tony held positions as the State Development Manger and Club Development Officer with the Royal Victorian Bowls Association (RVBA) and Victorian Ladies’ Bowling Association (VLBA) – now Bowls Victoria.
As the General Manager of Bowls Operations, Tony will provide leadership and direction in the areas of participation and high performance managing a team of 27 staff across both areas of the organisation.
“I am happy to announce Melanie and Tony as Bowls Australia’s General Managers; we are delighted with both of these appointments,” Bowls Australia Chief Executive Officer Neil Dalrymple said.
“The appointment of these two new roles is a pivotal step forward for bowls in Australia that is about to embark on a critical period over the next five years with a new national Strategic Plan set to be launched in July.
“Melanie brings with her a wealth of experience and expertise in marketing and commercial revenue generation through her previous roles and we look forward to working with her in this important area for the sport.
“Tony is intimately familiar with bowls across all areas, from grass roots to executive level, has developed strong stakeholder relationships and is widely respected throughout the sports industry.”
Bowls Australia congratulate both Tony and Melanie on their appointments and wish them well in their new roles.
