Mark Lawrence Announces Presidential Succession Plan

Mark Lawrence has announced that this season will be his twelfth and final year as President of Subiaco Football Club.

Importantly, Lawrence and the SFC Board are also very pleased to announce their leadership succession plan whereby the current Vice-President,  Russell Smith will be endorsed as the Club’s President at the end of year AGM.

Russell Smith, as the President-elect, has the full support of the entire club board, staff and influential sponsors and key members.

Lawrence is pleased and also excited by the plan, saying “Russell Smith brings energy and enthusiasm to the role and is an ideal succession plan as the leader of the club”.  

Always a Subiaco supporter, Smith served as the club’s Talent Manager before moving overseas.  On his return he immediate sought out the club to offer his assistance before moving onto the club’s board in 2016 as the Talent Director before elected as the Vice President five years ago.     

Smith said “ Mark has a tremendous history of accomplishment at this club and will always be held in high esteem by both myself and everyone at the club.  As a long time sponsor, board member and our longest serving President in the last 100 years, we expect Mark to remain an influential figure and an important sounding board into the future. ”  

He further stated “ I am very excited about the transition and honoured to be able to offer leadership and support to the CEO and staff, coaches and volunteers, players and members of this great club. We need to bring together all our football programs, go forward off field and set out a positive future and regain the title as the leading club in the WAFL.’

After joining the Subiaco board as a club director in 1997, Lawrence has spent the past 25 years actively working to make the club an on field and off field powerhouse.

Lawrence was elevated to President in 2012 and has spent the past twelve years providing direction, vision and guidance for the football club, overseeing a club that has won five league premierships and played in seven Grand Finals under his presidency.

Through his businesses interests with Phoenix Holden, Lawrence has been a corporate partner of the club for 40 years, dating back to 1983. 

In 2006 Lawrence was awarded life membership to the Subiaco Football Club and was honoured as a Diehard in 2020.

Perhaps his proudest achievement prior to his presidency, Lawrence had a vital contribution as the chairman of the commercial operations team, with his enterprise adding a crucial element to the club’s Glory Years success by creating the financial engine room of the club.  

Along with Kim Williamson and then Peter Capes, Lawrence set the club towards a very solid financial position over the last 20 years.

The Subiaco Football Club congratulates Mark on his service and achievements and thank him for his outstanding contribution to the club.