This is an archive from my 2021 Collingwood Board nomination.
Unsuccessful and congrats
Congratulations to Jeff Browne and new board members Renee Roberts, Christine Holgate and Barry Carp on being elected by the Collingwood members.
I thoroughly enjoyed the process and will continue to discuss with Collingwood members to help our club in the future, if you see me in the Ponsford, say g’day. Happy to discuss how we can all help Collingwood be a success on and off-field. Go Pies!
Collingwood Board Candidate Statement
I have been a long-time Collingwood supporter and Club 5 member since 2010. You’ll find me in the Ponsford stand cheering on the Pies or at Vic Park supporting AFLW & VFL teams. My great-grandfather played for the Pies in the early 1900s, my blood runs black & white.
I have been lucky enough to work with Collingwood on digital initiatives via my consulting business Sports Geek, helping the Pies establish a strong digital presence across social media. I have worked with leagues and teams in Australia and USA on digital fan engagement projects, I look forward to bringing that strength in connecting fans via digital to the Collingwood board.
I want to see Collingwood grow and deepen ties with all Pies fans. My focus will be to help the board and the club reconnect with fans who feel disconnected and unheard, especially over the past two COVID-affected years.
Collingwood’s fan base is unlike any other globally, and the future of Collingwood excites me.
You can contact me by email at [email protected] or by phone 0407 047 200.
All nominee candidate statements are available here, I encourage you to read all of them.
Got a question?
My background
I have built a business and a reputation in the new media world. Sports Geek has been agile in adapting services and strategies over 12 years under my guidance. I have strong knowledge and networks across sports, digital and technology that can help Collingwood deepen ties with current fans and develop bonds with new ones. My understanding of media, digital and the new emerging worlds like gaming and the growing metaverse will help equip the board with knowledge on a developing space that Collingwood can leverage.
I understand the pressures the modern athlete faces from fans online and how the next generation connects with audiences. I’ve been called on to advise, train and develop strategies for the new digital athlete. Understanding how the digital athlete can deliver on and off the field is paramount for fan growth in the next 10 years as new fans are drawn to the athlete first, I look forward to providing guidance to the board and Collingwood FC to be able to leverage this opportunity.
You can learn more about me here and learn more about my experiences here.
How to connect with me
I’m available on most social media platforms, and happy to discuss issues facing Collingwood members on any platform or privately via email.
Send me a tweet @seancallanan or message me on Instagram @seancallanan or reach out on my Facebook page.
My Linkedin network is where my value lies as a potential Collingwood board member where I have strong connections in the digital, marketing and technology that can help deliver results on and off the field for the club.
Additionally, you can get to know me via my podcast, Sports Geek, I had Collingwood CEO Mark Anderson as my guest on episode 250.
If we are not connected on Linkedin, please send me an invite, always happy to connect with a fellow Pies supporter.
Please comment and share the post below on your Facebook to help me have more conversations with Pies members.
In the Media
On SEN Drive with Andy Mahar
Live chat with members with Swoop Luke
Quick answers from Swoop Luke chat.
On Transparency & Do Better
On the importance of engaging young fans
Answering questions on Collingwood Big Footy board
Topics discussed include voting rights, term limits, sports technology, membership products & pineapple on pizza.
Questions
If you have a specific question, please ask away, either by the button on this page or via social media.
I’ve had a few questions already. Here are my answers to some questions you might have.
Please note these are my personal opinions.
What is your position on the Do Better report?
First of all, as a Collingwood member, I want to see the club implement all the recommendations outlined in the report (please read it here). Actions will speak louder than words, I am pleased with the progress reports so far (you can read them here), and I look forward to seeing the change that the report rightly called for. As a board member, I will support all Do Better initiatives to help all Collingwood supporters be informed to understand why the changes are being made. For me, Do Better is important as Side By Side.
Why are you running?
When I signed up as a Collingwood member in 2003, I made sure I was a Social Club Member, so I had the opportunity to have a say in the club by voting and potentially being able to serve on the Collingwood board if my skills suit the needs of the club. I’ve long advocated for digital inside sports organisations, and support for digital initiatives from the board has been vital for leaders in digital in the USA, Europe and Australia.
Additionally, I want to provide a voice for the Collingwood members on the board. I am happy to discuss all things Collingwood with any Pies fan, which will continue should I become a board member.
What is your opinion on member voting rights?
As raised by Barrie Cassidy in Jake Niall’s article in The Age (worth a read via the tweet below), only 12,000-13,000 members are permitted to vote.
Barrie Cassidy has been @CollingwoodFC member for 37 years, but can’t vote at the upcoming election or be properly eligible for the board – a position of many at this @AFL club “of the people”. Time for the Pies & others to expand member voting rights. https://t.co/SVt7EwsApQ
— Jake Niall (@JakeNiallTHEAGE) November 12, 2021
That leaves thousands of the 82,000 Collingwood members unable to vote. I understand the historical and financial significance of the social club, but I think it is time to widen the voting rights, so more members feel valued and connected to the club.
After discussing this issue with several members (following the replies in the tweet above), it is something I will raise with the board should I be elected.
Who should we vote for?
I’m running independently, I’m a team player, and as a board member, I look forward to working with the current members of the board and any of the qualified nominees for the election. It’s important that the board has a diverse set of skills and opinions to help deliver the best outcome for Collingwood. I’d gladly accept a position on the board and take great honour in representing the Collingwood members on the board.
When and how do we vote?
The club will keep members informed of the voting process. All the key info here – Anderson updates members on 2021 AGM nominations. Keep an eye out for emails from the club or the latest updates from CollingwoodFC.com.au.
If you are an eligible voting member, you should have received an email from [email protected] if you didn’t, please get in touch, and I will help follow up.
The Collingwood Membership Team can be contacted at 1300 624 743 or [email protected].
If you require assistance with the voting process, please contact the CorpVote support line at 1300 710 950 or [email protected].
Please be patient, voting is open until December 10. We want to see all eligible members voting.
You can renew for 2022 and add Social Club Add-on if you want to vote, so sign up and be part of this election.
Need help?
Disclaimer: All information provided here is the personal opinion of the author Sean Callanan and are not endorsed or authorised by Collingwood Football Club.