Gardiner and McKinna appointed as Sydney Olympic FC Directors

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Sydney Olympic Football Club have announced the appointment of Mr Chris Gardiner and Mr Lawrie McKinna to fill the two existing casual vacancy positions on the Board of Directors.

Both Chris and Lawrie are wonderful additions to the Club and will bring the necessary skills and expertise required to help take our Club into 2022 and beyond.

In more good news for the Club, long standing Director Mr Damon Hanlin has been confirmed as President.

Club President Mr Damon Hanlin was looking forward to having both Chris and Lawrie as part of the Club.

“Both men bring to the table excellent business, governance and football experience. Together as a Board we will work to take Sydney Olympic Football Club into what is expected to be an exciting time for Australian Football with the National Second Division now firmly on the agenda”.

Chris Gardiner is CEO of the Institute for Regional Security. His Football governance experience includes serving as Chair of Football NSW General Purposes Tribunal, as an elected Director on the Board of Football NSW, and currently as Chair of Disciplinary Tribunals for Capital Football.

He has over 30 years’ experience as a leader in the not-for-profit sector in overseas aid, in aged and health care, and, for over a decade, in youth and sport development as CEO of PCYC NSW. In that role he took over the relegated Parramatta Melita Eagles, achieved Club Championships in youth leagues, and won the Club promotion back into the NPL1 competition. At PCYC, he also introduced a boxing program that produced a youth world champion.

Lawrie McKinna is well known in football and business circles and since finishing his time playing and coaching in the NSL, has served as Head Coach and Director of Football at the Central Coast Mariners, as well as most recently Chief Executive Officer of the Newcastle Jets in the A-League. In addition to his achievements in football, Lawrie served as Mayor of Gosford City between 2012 and 2016 and is currently Chair of Regional Development Australia Central Coast.

-Sydney Olympic Press Release