Deane Pieters
Former Olympic Swimmer and General Manager of Business Strategy & Growth for the West Coast Eagles FC
Since he was seven years old, Deane learnt to set goals and the tough discipline it takes to achieve them. He has represented Australia at an elite level by applying focus, passion, self-belief, and hard work. There is no one more focused than Deane when achieving and exceeding performance goals.
He is a former Olympic swimmer and has represented Australia in swimming from 1991 to 1993 and in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. He is also the 1990 World Surf Lifesaving Champion and the Australian surf lifesaving representative in 1990, 1991 and 1996.
In 2000, Deane was awarded the Australian Sports Medal.
Deane has built his exemplary executive career on his extraordinary sporting achievements with over 26 years in professional sports administration. He has led marketing and commercial operations in AFL, cricket and surf lifesaving with a proven track record in profitability growing business units.
From 2001 to 2010, he was the former General Manager of Marketing for the West Coast Eagles Football Club and was responsible for negotiating all major commercial transactions. He recorded the highest net return of any sporting club in Australia, implemented change management across the organisation, and directed major strategic projects.
In 2010, a 41-year-old Deane won one of the world’s greatest open water swimming events, the 19.7 km Rottnest Channel Swim in Western Australia, after a disappointing loss the year before. This victory is a prime example of his resilience and persistent attitude to achieving success.
As a graduate of Stanford Business School, Deane frequently draws on his education and knowledge. He continues to display the same dedication to his craft as an athlete to his executive career, constantly working on his professional development and strengthening his skill set in strategic thinking, leadership, strategic change management, and organisational performance.
Deane continuously builds upon his broad industry knowledge through consultation and self-education. He prides himself on nurturing mutually beneficial and long-lasting relationships with an extensive network of colleagues, corporate associates, mentors, and industry leaders.
Deane is the current General Manager of Business Strategy & Growth for the West Coast Eagles.
He is also a life member of the Stanford Business School Alumni, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), a member of the Australian Sponsorship Marketing Association and an affiliated member of the Australian Marketing Institute. Deane is a non-executive member of the Australian Olympic and Commonwealth Games Team Appeal Committee.