The Geelong Cats have agreed with CEO Brian Cook to extend his contract until the end of 2018.



Cook has been at the helm of the Cats since March 1999 after joining the club from West Coast where he was CEO 1990-98. He will join Bill Cookson and Frank Reid as the equal longest serving club CEO/secretary in league history in 2018 when he completes his 29th season as an AFL club CEO.



During Cook’s tenure at the club there have been numerous notable achievements including:



* Growth and diversity in gross turnover from $19 million in 2000 to est. $52 million in 2015, an average compounding annual growth rate of 7%.

* Implementation of the “Good to Great”, “Footy Full On – The Geelong Way” and “2020 Vision” business plans.

* The club has contested the finals in 10 of the past 12 seasons, winning premierships in 2007, 2009 and 2011.

* Redevelopment of Simonds Stadium brought about by the securing of over $200 million of funding. The fourth stage of the redevelopment is underway which will bring capacity of Simonds Stadium to over 36,000 and planning for the Sunrise centre

* Grown the club’s community development and engagement to be among Australian sport’s best practice.

* Introduction of the Deakin Cats community centre that has seen close to 40,000 users since it's opening in 2013.

* Community investment that sees annual player visits to 30,000 children within Geelong and the south west of Victoria

* Educating young people about healthy lifestyles through six community development programs

* Membership has grown by 122% since Cook's appointment as CEO

* Cook has been awarded the “Australian Sports Executive of 2007” by the Confederation of Australian Sport as well as Life Membership from both the AFL and Geelong Football Club.



Both Cook and Geelong president Colin Carter feel that there are challenges that the Cats will continue to face in order to remain one of the elite clubs in the AFL and Australian sport.



“There are always challenges in this game and our board believes Brian is the best person to lead us through these as CEO at this point,” Carter said.



“We see Brian as one of the very best CEO’s in Australian sport, and his track record over such a long period proves how good he is. Since he has been at Geelong the club has grown enormously, has achieved success on and off the field and seen a great culture built that we feel will sustain the club for generations to come.”



Cook is eager to continue with the latest rebuilding efforts, including a playing list that has been transitioned and another stage of the Simonds Stadium redevelopment.



“I look forward to continuing to take on the exciting challenges facing the club with the full support of the board, staff and players,” Cook said.