Bendigo: Golden Square president Ian Symons resigns in lead-up to annual meeting
The fallout continues at Golden Square, with the president and three other board members following premiership coach Christian Carter out the door.
Upheaval at Bendigo league premier Golden Square has extended to the boardroom with president Ian Symons and three other board members standing down in the lead-up to the club’s annual meeting this week.
Golden Square sacked club legend Christian Carter after leading the club to a drought-breaking flag win against Sandhurst in September.
The shock move has been followed by an exodus of players with more than 10 premiership players either leaving or retiring.
Brad Eaton has replaced Carter as senior coach with the latter left “deeply saddened to be sacked by the club after securing the senior premiership this year”.
Symons, who had been in the role for two years, flagged his intention not to seek another term as president in the lead-up to the club’s annual meeting.
Andrew Wicking has taken over as president after a long involvement at junior level and also a stint coaching the club’s under-18 girls team.
A statement on the club’s Facebook page on Friday also confirmed committee members Brendan Stewart, Rick Jenkyn and Dave Symons “have all elected not to continue on the committee for next season”.
Mr Jenkyn was one of the club’s dual vice-presidents along with Chris Richards, who is staying in his role and will be joined by Gill Sawyer.
The roles of secretary and treasurer were not filled at the annual meeting.
The list of departures from Golden Square’s first flag in a decade include best-on-ground in the grand final win Jack Geary to Cohuna Kangas, Jake Thrum to Irymple and leading goalkicker Joel Brett and Liam Duguid to Shepparton Bears.
Veteran ruckman Matthew Compston has retired.
Meanwhile, Bendigo league 2023 wooden spooner Maryborough has elected a new president, Scott Quinlan.
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