Swans 2020 Board Election Results

Swans Districts Football Club welcomes Ian Westmore and Joanne Taylor to the Club’s Board.

There were eight candidates for four positions and 383 valid ballots were received. The results were:

Peter Hodyl – 363 votes

Des Hardiman – 307 votes

Matt Hewitson – 259 votes

Ian Westmore – 178 votes

Joanne Taylor – 178 votes

Kim Doust – 90 votes

John Komorowski – 83 votes

David Abbott – 74 votes

Peter Hodyl and Des Hardiman were re-elected with three year terms, and Matt Hewitson was re-elected with a two year term. The fourth and final Board position was a draw between Ian Westmore and Joanne Taylor.

As outlined in the Club’s Constitution, if two or more candidates receive an equal number of votes in the ballot and there are less vacancies which remain to be filled than there are candidates, the President or other presiding officer by his/her casting vote shall decide which candidates are declared elected to fill such vacancy or vacancies. In this instance the President, Peter Hodyl requested direction from the Board.

The Board appointed a Nominations Committee earlier in the year to prepare a Board skills matrix to identify any skills and experience gaps aligned to the Club’s strategic plan. The Committee agreed to recommend the continuation of Peter, Des and Matt on the Board, and given this, the Committee agreed that the skills and experience gaps in the Board would be; community football, commercial sponsorship, and information technology.

The Board considered the Committee’s recommendation in its deliberation between Ian Westmore and Joanne Taylor to fill the last Board position, and selected Ian Westmore as the fourth elected Board member with a one year term.

In a subsequent development, current Board appointed member Sarah Reilly has resigned from her Board position due to her personal work commitments and belief that both Joanne and Ian are best to serve the Club in light of the Board’s skillset mix and the Club’s strategic goals. In Sarah’s resignation notice she reinforced her strong commitment to the Club, “I would be absolutely delighted and honoured to continue to be involved at the Club, including on various committees, and to assist with commercial and governance matters on an ongoing basis. Sincere thanks to Peter and Jeff, and to the Boards I have been involved with since I was elected in 2015. It has been such a valuable opportunity and wonderful to play a small part in the Club's incredible journey over these years. I’m looking forward to contributing to the next stage in our evolution.”

Sarah Reilly’s resignation has allowed the Board to offer the appointment to Joanne Taylor for a one year term. Joanne has accepted the Board appointed position.

Peter Hodyl acknowledged Sarah’s tremendous contribution to the Club over the past 5 years, “Sarah's decision is a club first approach which we all understand and admire this quality shown by all our board members. This has allowed us a unique opportunity to have two very good people join our ranks. Thanks also to all candidates for putting their hand-up and to the Returning Officer Bob Hutchinson and Scrutineers John Rowe, Maurice Embley and Norm Kirkup”.