http://www.ccmariners.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&id=34764
Turnbull elected to lead Mariners into the future
Thursday, 19 August 2010 by Glen Lauder
Peter Turnbull with Prime Minister Julia Gillard
Central Coast Mariners / John Dewberry © Central Coast Mariners
The Central Coast Mariners Football Club Pty Ltd Board of Directors has today elected Mr Peter Turnbull as the club’s new Chairman.
Mr Turnbull will take the reins immediately, following the conclusion of outgoing Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman’s transition period since being appointed Football Federation Australia’s Head of the Hyundai A-League.
"I would firstly like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Lyall for the unquantifiable contribution he has made to this club over the past five years, in building it to the terrific platform it now enjoys in the Australian Football landscape.
"I am incredibly excited by the opportunity I have been given and I look forward to leading the club as it continues its journey to becoming the Centre of Excellence for Football in Australia," said Turnbull.
Mr Turnbull, a practicing accountant until 2006, founded the Turnbull Group of Companies in 2000, overseeing its expansion into three states and becoming a major property development Group by 2010.
On top of his extensive Business background, Turnbull’s love of Football saw him finally hang up the boots as a player at the beginning of August, 47 years after first playing with North Bankstown as a seven year old.
After years of playing and administration in Sydney’s North West, Turnbull was a co-founder of Sydney FC before becoming the Mariners Major Shareholder in 2007, at what was a crucial time for the club.
"Following on from the club’s highly successful formative years it has witnessed some major changes in the recent months with the arrival of a new Head Coach in Graham Arnold and a major turnaround in playing staff, but off the field too, I’m 100% committed to making the Mariners a major beneficiary of what I believe will be the pre-eminent sporting facility of its kind in Australia in the Mariners at Tuggerah development.
"The recent commitment by the Federal Labor government to provide $10m in funding, and the tremendous support we receive from Wyong Shire Council, means the project is full steam ahead and I am incredibly excited by its value in terms of job creation and the significant community benefits it will bring to the Central Coast," Turnbull said.
Peter has had family roots on the Coast for many years, including his brother-in-law Greg Dickinson being Principal of Terrigal High, where he has been for the last 21 years.
"In the last few years I have grown to love the Central Coast, it’s people, its way of life and its love of sport. The Mariners have always been a community club, and our commitment to football on the Central Coast has never been in question. We are continuing to invest heavily in grassroots sport, with the re-launch of our ambassador program, and the introduction of the Energy Australia Junior Football Membership in conjunction with Central Coast Football, providing free access to all Mariners home matches at Bluetongue Stadium for players aged 16 and under registered to a local club.
"This is an exciting time to be a Mariners Member or supporter," Mr Turnbull said.
"I believe wholeheartedly in this club, it’s players, coaches, staff, commercial partners and most importantly our Members and supporters, and I believe in the Hyundai A-League, and Football in Australia.
"It is my ambition to make the Mariners the benchmark for all other clubs to strive for, and the club of choice for all players.
"I look forward to getting to know many more of the club’s Members, and to working closely with Central Coast Football and all the stakeholders of the game on the Coast to make our great game even greater," said Turnbull.
