Souths Logan Magpies have officially announced that long-serving CEO Jim McClelland will step down effective October 1, 2022.
The Magpies have long been guided by integrity and family spirit with McClelland at the helm and finding a suitably qualified replacement was not taken lightly.
“It has been an honour for me to be the CEO of the Magpies for many years after the opportunity I was given at a very young age,” McClelland said.
"While at times challenging, all decisions have been made with the club's, and in fact the game’s, best interests at heart.
“Southern Suburbs has been a part of my life for over 50 years and the life skills learnt over that period - honesty, integrity, respect, humility, a sense of family and caring for each other - has formed the fabric of my life’s journey.
“Our club is a unique model, requiring complete understanding of the complexities of our organisation, the 115-year history balanced against the enormous opportunities currently available to the Magpies.”
Testing the market for a suitably qualified candidate only served to confirm original thoughts - that the most suitable replacement lay within the club's own ranks.
It is with this in mind, that the Magpies are incredibly excited to announce that McClelland's replacement will be the club's current first-grade coach, Steve Bretherton.
“Steve is a quality person who has the passion, integrity, and club DNA to successfully guide the club into the future. Additionally, he has a number of experienced mentors within the club who will make themselves available to provide the necessary support as required,” McClelland said.
“Steve steps up to the CEO role having spent his formative years within the Souths Logan Magpies coaching and development ranks, whilst successfully running his own business and I have every confidence that he is the best person for the role.”
Bretherton's engagement brings renewed vigour and commercial acumen, whilst maintaining the Magpie DNA. Bretherton will commence this role fulltime post this season's coaching commitments.
“It is not lost on me the work that both Jim and Barb have done over a long period of time for our football club,” Bretherton said.
“Taking the reins of a foundation rugby league club excites me, keeping to our traditions and not forgetting our 115 year history is extremely important.
"However, the chance to create our own legacy and build on our history is a challenge we should all be excited about.
“Our DNA and values will not change moving forward, there will still be a major focus on development of both male and female participants through our catchment area, giving players the opportunity to achieve their goals in rugby league, while playing in the black and white.”
Given Bretherton’s new role as CEO, the Magpies are equally excited to announce Karmichael Hunt as Bretherton’s replacement as head coach for 2023.
Hunt has worked alongside Steve this year as assistant coach, whilst successfully steering the club's Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup side to the state championship.
Hunt is a Souths junior and a dual international, having represented Australia in both rugby league and rugby union, in addition to a successful stint in the AFL.
Hunt's experience at all levels of the game, combined with his current studies undertaking a Masters in Sports Psychology will prove invaluable to the club, as it continues to develop pathways for tomorrow’s rugby league players.
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“I’m excited by the opportunity to become the head coach of a football club with such a rich history,” Hunt said.
“I look forward to firstly putting together a Hostplus Cup coaching team and playing roster which is ready to compete in 2023.
“I am also looking forward to ensuring that we continue the development of our female and male junior participants in our local catchment; while also making sure our women’s program continues to grow with the support it needs".
With the departure of McClelland, he is reassured in that the club is in safe hands with Bretherton to successfully guide the club into the future.
