Carlton president Luke Sayers has launched a bid for an unprecedented extension to his tenure, declaring he has “an obligation to ensure we maintain the commitment” to Blues members.
The Blues on Tuesday confirmed Sayers has asked Carlton members to continue on the board – and as president – for a further 12 months (until the end of 2025) as the club seeks stability at a crucial stage in its history.
Sayers is entering his 12th year as a club board member – and the tenure limit for a director, imposed by Carlton’s constitution, is 12 years. But members are allowed to extend a director’s term of office beyond the 12-year limit by ordinary resolution at the club’s Annual General Meeting.
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The Blues in a statement said the board of directors “unanimously supports” Sayers staying on as president for the 2025 season, as it’ll “provide important stability at board level in order to allow the club to continue to fulfil its five-year strategic plan”.
Sayers’ move comes after two years of significant change at Carlton, which has not only seen Sayers lead a new-look board, but also seen the club appoint a new chief executive, new AFL coach and new AFLW coach.
The men’s team were one of the biggest improvers in the AFL last season, making a preliminary final after finishing the home and away season in fifth spot on the ladder.
“We have worked incredibly hard to build this new era for the Carlton Football Club. The hard work is not over though, and I feel I have an obligation to ensure we maintain the commitment we made to our members when I became president two years ago,” Sayers said.
“This additional 12 months will not only provide us with the stability to continue to achieve our strategic objectives, but it will help ensure that we are creating a Carlton that will be successful for the long term, on and off the field.
“In the last two years we have undergone significant change … Now, I feel I have a crucial job, to bed down those changes, and to provide support and stability to our CEO, our footy department and to all our coaches and players as they strive for success.”
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“It is the greatest privilege to serve our passionate and supportive members, and I want to thank each and every one of them. Their support to date has been central to the significant growth that we have seen, and I want to continue to make them proud to be Carlton people.”
In an interview with the Herald Sun, Sayers said talks with the management of AFL coach Michael Voss around contract extension were in the final stages.
Multiple reports have indicated a new Voss deal would be announced prior to the start of the 2024 season.
“We all think he’s an awesome leader, we’re working through that with Michael, and there’s no doubt he’s the right coach for Carlton over the immediate to long-term,” Sayers told the Herald Sun.
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