Incoming CEO Andrew Fagan says Adelaide has all the right ingredients to become one of the most successful sporting Clubs in the country.
Fagan was announced as the new Crows CEO on Monday and will return to Adelaide next month after finishing his role as General Manager of National Teams, Competitions and Rugby Operations at Australian Rugby Union.
The well-respected sports administrator has also worked with the Australian Institute of Sport and the University of Canberra Brumbies, and was described by Chairman Rob Chapman as the “outstanding candidate” for the vacant Crows CEO position.
The SA-born Fagan, who supported the Crows even after moving interstate, said Adelaide had the perfect platform to become one of the great sporting organisations.
“There’s a bright future there, we’ve just got make sure we make some good decisions,” Fagan said on FIVEaa.
“I’ve followed the footy club as an Adelaide-born guy and I’ve enjoyed the success that they’ve had. But I’ve also been disappointed with not continuing that in the way we would’ve liked in recent times.”
Fagan pointed to Adelaide’s record fan base as one of the primary strengths of the Club.
“They’ve got a great supporter base that’s passionate and loyal in the 19th Man. They’re financially stable, they’ve got a really young and talented list, and they play out of a wonderful stadium.
“The framework for success is there and we’ve got the potential to be great.
“There’s an enormous amount of work to do - I’m looking forward to getting stuck in.”
Fagan brings a wealth of experience to West Lakes from roles involved in business, commercial and high sports performance on the east coast. He will begin his role full-time from early October after finishing his duties with the ARU.
Fagan said one of his main aims was to draw on his elite-performance background to ensure Adelaide developed the best football department in the competition.
“We’ve got to demand of ourselves that we run the best football program in the AFL,” he said.
“The football program is something that we can control. We can’t always control injuries, we can’t always control umpiring decisions and we can’t control the weather. What we can control is making sure we’ve got the right people in the right seats and the right culture that the Club operates within.
“And we’ve got players who really want to achieve and they want to do whatever is necessary to be elite.
“That will be absolutely front and centre for me right now.”
