Former Manly Sea Eagles and Cronulla Sharks player Paul Stephenson has been announced as the new Chief Executive Officer of Tweed Heads Seagulls.
The Seagulls, currently last in the Intrust Super Cup, have appointed Stephenson after former CEO Matt Jobson left the role a month into the 2018 season.
Stephenson has been elevated from his previous role of Sponsorship, Operations and Player Wellbeing Manager within Tweed’s ranks.
He has an extensive business and rugby league history, including working as a business development executive with Coca Cola Amatil for four years, and as business development manager with Konnect Building.
“I feel very privileged to be promoted to the position of CEO at a club I have represented as a player, a coach and now an administrator,” Stephenson said.
“I’d like to thank Matt, and his predecessor Scott Clark who I worked with in 2017, for leaving the club in a good position as we focus on rolling out the extensive strategic plan put in place by the club last year.”
Stephenson wound down his playing days at Tweed (5 games) after stints at the Ipswich Jets (43 games) and Toowomba Clydesdales (8 games).
Altogether he played 55 NRL games for Manly and Cronulla between the years of 2004-08 and also represented New South Wales Residents and Queensland Country.
One of his teammates in the 2008 NSW Residents team was currently Australian squad member James Maloney.
During his playing days at Manly, Stephenson suited up alongside the likes of Steve Menzies, Ben Kennedy, Brett Stewart and Terry Hill.
After starting out as an outside back, his final appearance in the NRL was at lock, picked ahead of Blake Green, who started from the bench in number 13.
Seagulls chairman Ian Paton is confident that Stephenson will excel in the role of CEO.
“Paul is a smart operator with extensive business and operational experience. He’s also a passionate clubman who is well liked and respected by everyone at Seagulls,” Paton said.
“The board of directors are excited about what Paul brings to the table and look forward to him building on the important work undertaken by his predecessors.”
Tweed faces the Townsville Blackhawks in Saturday’s 1.10pm Channel Nine televised game, live from Jack Manski Oval in Thuringowa.
*Intrust Super Cup statistics courtesy of Brad Tallon.
