Collingwood Chief Executive Gary Pert today announced that Collingwood Director of Sports Science, David Buttifant, is to leave the club now that the 2013 campaign is complete.

Pert praised Buttifant for his exceptional and dedicated years of service. After 13 seasons with the Magpies, the highlights of which were a premiership in 2010 and Grand Finals in 2002, 2003 and 2011, Buttifant is departing to pursue fresh professional challenges.

“David is recognised as an innovator in his field and has helped drive the professional standards of the club over the last 13 years,” Pert said.

“He has been a very popular member of the Collingwood family and certainly someone who can say that he left the organisation in a much better shape than when he arrived.

“As part of on-going discussions this year with David, both parties agreed that it was the perfect time to seek out a new challenge. David leaves with the total support and best wishes of everyone at the club.”

Buttifant described his time with Collingwood as immensely rewarding, professionally and personally.

“It was a privilege and a pleasure to spend so many years at the club,” he said.

“Sharing in such a wonderful time in Collingwood’s history, working with some outstanding people and making so many good friends is something I will always cherish.”

Buttifant’s long and distinguished career in elite sport has also included time as a player for Richmond, work with Australian Olympic athletes out of Homebush ahead of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and several seasons as head of fitness for North Melbourne. He currently sits on the AFL research board and is a director and founder of the NICK Foundation which helps develop wellbeing programs for youth.