Episode 445: Brian Fletcher - His Life in Racing & Rugby League

Caught up with Brian Fletcher at the recent Beauford Club luncheon at Newcastle where he was a guest speaker. His tales of the turf and stories from the Panthers camp kept the crowd entertained. It occurred to me at the time that Brian would make an excellent podcast guest. He happily agreed and here it is! Brian begins by reflecting on an amazing third straight premiership win by his beloved Panthers. He says he’d just about given up before Nathan Cleary began to weave some magic. As CEO of the Panthers Group, Brian talks about his association with Matt Cameron CEO of the Penrith Football Club, coach Ivan Cleary and the players. He talks of Ivan Cleary’s triumphant return to the Panthers after a stint with the Wests Tigers. Brian looks ahead to the 2024 season and the likelihood of another premiership. He talks of his board involvement with Panthers before accepting the CEO’s role, and his lifetime passion for the game of rugby league. He says his association with rugby league administration began in the days when Panthers became involved in Hawkesbury race sponsorship. Brian talks of his day to day role as CEO of the Panthers Group. He talks of early days at Coonamble where he was born in 1953 and where he learned the importance of work ethic from his parents. He talks of other notable natives of Coonamble to make their marks in racing. Brian looks back on jobs with the State Bank, the Coonamble Golf Club and the Shire Council. During his time with the State Bank he received a very worrying health scare. He looks back on his first racing experience as Honorary Treasurer of the cash strapped Coonamble Jockey Club. He remains deeply humbled by the Jockey Club’s gesture in lending his name to the racecourse grandstand.  Brian reflects on the dawn of his new career as CEO of the Hawkesbury Race Club which was also in financial strife in 1989. He takes us through the amazing list of innovations and initiatives he was able to generate in his 28 years at Hawkesbury. He had a long battle before being able to announce the introduction of the first provincial stand alone Saturday meeting in Australia. Perhaps this was the achievement to give him the most pleasure. Brian recalls another unlikely project he was able to get off the ground- the construction of a motel on Hawkesbury Race Club property. He pays heartfelt tribute to the key people whose friendship and consultation influenced his career. Brian nominates the racehorse he believes is the best he’s seen in action on the historic Clarendon course. The administrative dynamo pays heartfelt tribute to wife Wendy and daughters Sonya and Adele.  Brian Fletcher will turn 70 on Xmas Day 2023. He outlines plans for the future. This is a rousing yarn with one of the most successful sports administrators of his generation.