Following its 125th Anniversary celebration and the addition of three women’s teams, the Collingwood Football Club has commissioned a strategic blueprint to propel the club into the future.

The blueprint will serve as a top-to-bottom guide for the next phase of Collingwood’s journey, creating a holistic vision that will unlock further potential.

President Eddie McGuire said the club can’t afford to stand still in today’s competitive and fast moving industry.

“We must continue to challenge ourselves, we must continue to innovate and we must continue the relentless pursuit of exceptional performance on and off the field or court,” McGuire said.

“As we celebrate our 125th year we have taken time to reflect on our recent achievements, including developing world class training facilities and the new Glasshouse building, introducing three women’s teams, our Foundation’s impact in the community, our peerless suite of commercial partners and unrivalled partnership with the MCG, and we look forward to our work with the La Trobe Valley and our spiritual home of Victoria Park.

“Together, through this blueprint, the entire club will draw our future, implement change and ensure we return to the top of the ladder both on and off the field and court.”

The Board has appointed experienced businessman Peter Murphy to establish the blueprint with the assistance of external specialists, including a former managing partner of global executive search firm Egon Zehnder, Chris Thomas. Staff across all areas of the business will also be central in the process.

Murphy is an experienced CEO, director and chairman, the founder of Pan Group Australia, global chair of Global Citizen and is the chairman of Collingwood’s philanthropic arm, the CFC Foundation. Murphy has also recently been working with the Collingwood Board.

Thomas has extensive experience in business management and governance. He is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and chairman of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research.

“Peter brings a wealth of experience to this important project having had a distinguished career at board and executive level,” McGuire said.

“He, with the assistance of Chris, will bring fresh perspectives to the operations of the club and will draw on the expertise of external specialists where necessary to ensure an independent objectivity and rigour are brought to the process,” McGuire said.