The Wynnum Manly Seagulls Board is pleased to announce that Jon Buchanan has been appointed as full-time Head of Football, effective immediately.
Buchanan is now contracted until the end of the 2016 season in a role that includes both coaching the Intrust Super Cup side while leading all football and development programs, a structure similar to many NRL clubs.
The transition will be seamless, as Jon has been in the position since 2013 when he took over in the tragic circumstances following the loss of Graham Murray.
“I have always wanted to work full time in a rugby league club and to get this opportunity at a club with such a proud and successful history is a tremendous honour,” Buchanan said.
“Wynnum to me is a club that has a real sense of community and support. The players reflect that by putting in for each other and their supporters each and every week”.
Phil Reeves, Seagulls CEO, said: “The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) have identified that the Intrust Super Cup is a vital second tier component to the NRL and their recent three-year funding commitment to all clubs demonstrates this.”
“We believe it is important to reflect the modern business of sport by having a person of Jon’s calibre and expertise focussing on all aspects of football, enabling our players and development programs to go from strength to strength,” Reeves stated.
“We are using the ARLC funds to further develop our club into the most professional and competitive both on and off the field. That begins with the full-time appointment of Jon”.
Buchanan said junior development would be a major focus.
“I particularly look forward to working with Chris McKenna on our Junior Development Program, which I believe has enormous potential to be a major catalyst for the sustained success of our footy club,” he said.
