A Note from the CEO

Today we’re proud to announce Vanessa Bolzan has been appointed National Manager Membership and Fundraising and David Shillington has been appointed Queensland State Manager.

Vanessa joins Men of League in the newly created role, which corresponds with our strategic direction of seeking financial sustainability based on partnerships, memberships and fundraising across the Foundation.

Vanessa’s education includes a Bachelor of Management in Sport and Exercise from the University of Technology Sydney, supported by a strong connection to rugby league having managed the membership program at the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Vanessa is currently employed as Membership and Marketing Manager at Football Federation Australia, playing a lead role in developing and implementing their long and short term strategic membership plans.

With Vanessa’s experience in membership and events, I’m looking forward to the Foundation taking a leap forward in building and servicing our membership base. Vanessa’s appointment will help Men of League drive the necessary changes to ensure our membership program remains current and attractive to members, which is key deliverable in our long-term strategic plans.

A former professional rugby league player with 215 first grade games, David Shillington most recently held positions as Ambassador and State of Mind Project Officer with the National Rugby League.

After retiring from his highly credentialed and distinguished rugby league career in 2016, David undertook a Bachelor of Business Administration and worked as a Business Development Manager in the Finance sector.

I’m really excited to announce this appointment, knowing David is much more than a highly regarded Test footballer, in fact many would argue he is even more talented off the field.

David comes from a well-respected and very successful academic family who have supported him through both education and rugby league, creating a perfect fit for this position. David brings a strong understanding of the rugby league community having recently transitioned from the game into the work force, along with additional experience in the Finance sector. First-hand experience at the very elite level of our game, into the delivery of the State of Mind program has provided invaluable experience.

I know this experience and talents will be of significant benefit to the Foundation in ensuring we continue to deliver on our charter of caring for the men, women and children of the rugby league community.

Please join me in welcoming Vanessa and David to our Foundation team.

Kind regards

Frank Barrett
Chief Executive Officer