A RICH background in politics with the Bulldogs blood running through her veins has led to Anne Sinclair becoming the first female director appointed to the Canterbury board.

Replacing Canterbury legend Steve Mortimer, who resigned from his duties last October, the history-making Sinclair is the daughter of former club patron and leagues club president, Kevin Stewart.

After also becoming the first NRL club to appoint a female chief executive in Raelene Castle, chairman Ray Dib said the appointment of Sinclair highlighted Canterbury’s focus on diversity.

“Anne brings some new and varied expertise to the board and we are very pleased to welcome her as a director,” Dib said.

“Having had two uncles (Jack and Frank Stewart) play first grade for the club, a grandfather (Frank), who was the president of the football club and inaugural president of the leagues club and a father (Kevin) who was a well regarded patron of the club, Anne has a unique appreciation for the pressures and expectations that come with being part of the Bulldogs.

“As a board we also value the diversity of perspective that another female will bring to our meetings and to our decisions.”

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Sinclair — who runs the electorate office for Tony Burke — was an influential figure in the Labor member for Watson’s past four successful election campaigns.

Dib added Sinclair had “extensive knowledge of government operations, has strong political connections and is well attuned to key issues impacting residents within the Bulldogs community.”

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Sinclair, who has been a member of the football club for 19 years, has welcomed the opportunity to continue a family tradition of leadership at Canterbury.

“The Bulldogs have always been a part of my life and I’m looking forward to combining that history with my skills in stakeholder management, politics and knowledge of the community to bring a new voice to the board,” Sinclair said.