Elizabeth Gaines to replace Paul Fitzpatrick, becomes first female Chair of West Coast Eagles
Elizabeth Gaines has created West Coast Eagles history by being elected as the club’s first female Chair.
Gaines will take over from Paul Fitzpatrick who will leave the board after completing the maximum nine-year term. The board elected her to take over from Fitzpatrick at a meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
The move comes after she spent the last two seasons as the club’s Deputy Chair.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.A senior executive with Fortescue Metals Group, including working as CEO and COO, Gaines joined the Eagles Board in 2022.
She said it was an honour to lead the club.
“I am delighted to have received the support of my fellow directors and being endorsed as the next Chair of the football club,” she said.
“We are acutely aware that we have not performed on the field as we would have liked in the last three years and we are committed to improving in all areas.”
The move continues the sweeping changes that have occurred at West Coast in the last 12 months.
CEO Trevor Nisbett also departed and was replaced by Don Pyke while coach Adam Simpson left midway through the season and the Eagles are searching for a replacement. West Coast also have a new fitness boss and List Manager.
The re-building Eagles have undergone major changes on the field with experienced players retiring. Oscar Allen and Liam Duggan became co-captains this year.
Fitzpatrick said it was important to have a person with the skills of Gaines to take the club forward.
“Elizabeth was elected unopposed and we look forward to her continuing to build on the foundations that have been laid,” he said.
“To have someone of Elizabeth’s calibre stepping into the position of Chair is another exciting step in the evolution of our club.
“Elizabeth has wide-ranging respect, not just within the mining industry, but across the business community more broadly. A passionate supporter of our club before joining the Board, she has developed an even stronger connection through her involvement on the Board.”
Gaines will be supported by 2006 premiership player Rowan Jones as the Deputy Chair. All moves will become official on January 1.
West Coast have struggled on the field for the last three years. They won only two games during 2022 and finished 17th as injuries and COVID ripped the list apart.
They held hope for 2023 to be a better season but won the wooden spoon after managing just three victories throughout a horror season.
Harley Reid’s arrival as the number one draft pick this year gave fans excitement as he showed off his skill and power. But after winning three of their first 10 games, including the western derby, they lost the next six matches and Simpson agreed to step down as coach.
