The Dynamic Duo
By Daniel Paproth
Much of the attention centered on a football club revolves around the players, and rightly so. They are the stars of our game, the ones who the crowd pay to see.
Behind the scenes though, there are people working throughout the week to ensure success on and off the field. Holding down the fort at the Werribee Tigers is Chief Executive Officer Mark Penaluna and Operations Manager Stuart Balloch.
Mark has been with the club since October 2003, after 5 years as General Manager of the Western Region Football League (formerly the Footscray District Football League). In that time he guided significant changes to the league which saw it become a powerhouse among Melbourne metropolitan leagues.
Stuart came on board in 2008, moving across from the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre where he headed up the Sports House facility that was home to a number of state sporting bodies including the AFLPA, Sports Medicine Australia and VICSport.
Mark has been involved with football essentially his whole life. He played all his junior football at Port Melbourne Colts, served as voluntary secretary for seven years and is a life member.
His stint at the WRFL provided him with a wealth of experience and contacts in a time he admits there were “little opportunities” in sports management.But it is his role with the Werribee Football Club that has given him the most satisfaction.
“It’s more about the players,” he says, “but there’s a great sense of community involvement as well.”
The Tigers enjoy a good rapport with the Wyndham community, with both players and staff regularly involved. Chris Gallagher, the club’s Community Development Officer, coordinates many school visits, the recent super clinic and works closely with the local football clubs among an array of activities and programs involving the Tigers.
Stuart first stint at Werribee was as a player when he did preseason training in 2004, after graduating from the Western Jets in 2001. He has also seen success as a player with premierships with VAFA clubs Old Westbourne and Old Essendon.
Now Operations Manager, he has overseen many highlights in his short time with the club.“The year I came in we had Michael Barlow and James Podsiadly at the club, who are now playing well in the AFL and in the same year we got within a kick of a grand final. Since then we’ve brought in more full-time staff and seen a number of capital improvements. It’s great to be involved with a club that is continually seeking improvement. Mark and I are always focused on the future, the next event, making sure we keep things unique and exciting. Keeping people’s attention is half the battle.
The role provides a good variety, sometimes you feel like you’ve got 101 things to do at the same time but it’s always interesting”.
He says the football club is a joy to be around, as everyone involved rides out the highs and lows as a team.
In his time as CEO, Mark has seen the club finish second in 2005 and third in 2008. “We are building for the future with better facilities for both the players and spectators and with that more on field success”.
Last Modified on 05/08/2011 19:52