CEO John Lee Departs
16th February 2016
South Sydney Football Club announced today that John Lee had tendered his resignation as the CEO of the Club, effective as of today. Mr Lee assumed the role of CEO last year and enjoyed the Club's early season success with wins in the Auckland Nines and World Club Challenge, and the retention of the Charity Shield. Mr Lee worked closely with the coaching and commercial staff throughout the year. Rabbitohs Chairman Nicholas Pappas said he was disappointed that Mr Lee had made the decision to leave the Club. “John has many positive attributes and established excellent relations with our key stakeholders,” Mr Pappas said. “John enjoyed a good relationship with our Board, our investors and our Members. “We wish him all the best for his next challenge.” Mr Lee said that he leaves the Club in a good position. "We broke all of the NRL Membership records last year, as the first NRL Club to pass 35,000 Members," Mr Lee said. "This is by far the largest Membership base in the NRL. “South Sydney is in a strong financial position. The Club continues to make a profit with the money being set aside for the future needs. "The Corporate partners are engaged and serviced like no other and the Club has continued to strengthen its commitment to the community with an increased number of clinics and educational programs through Souths Cares. "Souths has great staff and committed players, and I wish them all the best into the future." The Club will be announcing interim arrangements for the role in the near future, with the Club to maintain the structure of having a General Manager of Football, Shane Richardson, overseeing the Football operations; and a CEO that oversees the administration and marketing functions of the Club.
Shannon Donato Interim CEO
23rd February 2016
Rabbitohs Chief Commercial Officer Shannon Donato will step up into the Acting Chief Executive Officer’s role, effective as of today, following a scheduled South Sydney Football Club Board meeting this morning (Tuesday). Mr Donato has held a number of roles at the Club over the past three decades, from first grade player to General Manager of Souths Cares, Chief Commercial Officer, and now Acting CEO. Rabbitohs Chairman Nicholas Pappas is pleased to give Mr Donato the opportunity to perform in the role. “Shannon is South Sydney through-and-through, and he has an excellent understanding of our business,” Mr Pappas said. “He’s looking forward to taking the step into the Acting CEO’s position, and he will be working alongside Shane Richardson as our General Manager of Football from Tuesday 1 March. “The Board will now undertake an exhaustive search to appoint the right person for the important position of CEO at our Club.” Mr Donato understands the responsibility that comes with the Acting CEO’s position at South Sydney. “It’s an honour and a privilege to be appointed Acting CEO of this great Club” Mr Donato said. “As an administration, we have a responsibility to provide our Members and Corporate Partners with the benefits of belonging to a Club such as this, both on and off the field. “I’m excited about working alongside Shane Richardson to make sure our Football Department has all the resources it needs to be successful, and I’m looking forward to the season ahead which kicks off next weekend.” The South Sydney Football Club Board will be initiating a thorough process to recruit a permanent CEO to work alongside Shane Richardson as the Club’s General Manager of Football. An announcement will be made in due course.