The Brisbane Lions celebrated their most successful season in a decade in 2019 and the accolades did not stop with the players and coaching staff; with CEO Greg Swann named Queensland Sport Administrator of the Year at Saturday’s 25th Annual Queensland Sport Awards & Hall of Fame Presentation at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Swann was humbled by the award, the first one he has received after more than two decades in the AFL industry.
“It was a great honour and a good reflection on what’s happened at the footy Club,” Swann said.
In 2019 the Lions leapfrogged from 15th to finish second on the ladder and play their first AFL Finals Series since 2010.
Off the field, the Lions had their highest membership tally since 2010 and secured state and federal government funding for their new training and administration facility The Reserve, which will be based at Springfield. The Club also enjoyed three sold out games throughout the season.
“As I said on the night, one of the things about administration, is you get joy when you see things that you’ve planned for coming together,” he said.
“The team performing well, young fans coming to The Gabba and packing out the place and going home happy because their team is winning.”
Swann said this award belong to him and the Lions staff.
“As administrator you get great support from your staff and all the people at the footy Club, who have worked extremely hard,” he said.
He also credited his family for their unreserved support.
“When you’re working at a footy Club you’re working strange hours,” he said.
“In my case, I get great support from my wife Leonie and the family and they’re heavily involved in everything at the Club, which makes it a family affair.”
The entire men’s and women’s teams are now back training full-time, which Swann is excited about.
“It’s been a good year and hopefully we can make it a better one next year,” he said.
