GWS bolsters football department

Team GWS is thrilled to announce the appointment of former Brisbane Lions champion Craig Lambert as the Club’s first Football and Welfare Manager.

Graeme Allan, General Manager Football Operations, said that Lambert’s experience and character made him a welcome addition to the Club’s growing football department.

“Craig has so much to offer this role and the Club. The wealth of experience which he can draw upon to help us build this from the ground up and work with this young group of players will be invaluable.

“He has a strong understanding of what it takes to be successful in this game having been with the Lions when they won their three flags. But more importantly, he is a very caring and understanding individual who I believe will be an exceptional mentor for these young players.”

Lambert began his career with Richmond back in 1988, playing 123 games with the Tigers before moving to the then Brisbane Bears in 1994. He made a strong impression with his new club taking out the Best & Fairest award in his first season.

He went on to play 96 games with the Bears/Lions before injuries forced him into retirement at the end of 2000. However he remained at the club after being offered a position as an Assistant Coach. He later moved into the Club’s player welfare role where his focus remained for the last four years.

The 42 year-old said that he is looking forward to starting a new challenge with GWS.

“I have been given a huge opportunity to work with some incredible people in Kevin Sheedy and the likes of John Quinn who I have always had an enormous respect for, Graeme Allan who I’ve had a long relationship with and Alan McConnell who’s been in the system for such a long time. It’s exciting to have a fresh start, it’s just what I was looking for.

“A key attraction to the role for me was also the opportunity for personal growth. This is a brand new challenge and an entirely new environment from an established club and what I have been used to. I’ll need to push myself to learn along the way.

“I hope I can draw on my own experiences to help this new group of players. I moved to Brisbane in 1994 and I thought I’d only be there for two years, I ended up there for 17 years and had four kids in that time. Hopefully that’ll hold me in good stead for what these young men really have to go through.

Lambert explained that he was looking forward to working with the unique challenges that GWS will face.

“The most important thing for us is to make sure these kids feel they belong. I’m a big believer that no matter how well we build as an organisation they’ll have homesickness at some stage. The more we as club can make them feel that they belong and that we care, set some clear boundaries of what we expect as a footy organisation the better we can minimise that impact. During the first three months it will be critical that these players feel they are at a club that does genuinely care about them.

Lambert admitted that it was a tough decision to leave the Lions after such a long time, but thanks to the support and guidance of wife Melissa and their four children, they were able to make the decision to seek a new challenge together.

Lambert won’t be the only member of his family to embark on a new opportunity with GWS after his wife Melissa also accepted a role with the Club as House Mother to further assist with the welfare of the young playing group who will be living together at Breakfast Point.

“I am thrilled that Melissa has also agreed to accept the role as one of our house mothers,” said Graeme Allan.

“It’s going to be a huge task bringing all of these young players together. We need to have the best people around them to ensure they feel welcome and secure.

“Bringing Craig and Melissa to GWS is a key decision for this club in its infancy. I have seen first hand how their entire family can embrace a footy club and bring so much value.”