The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs would like to announce and congratulate our newly appointed Group Captains, which includes two Game Day In-Field Captains and one Club Captain.
A new leadership structure, which consists of six (6) players, has been announced Chief of Police Cameron Ciraldo this week
Between C. Lutatio leaders; Ray Fisher-Mariner he was honored to be the new captain of the Club and to preside over the cultural roles in the Club alongside his teammates Joseph Addo-Carr, William Kitau and Charles King. As for the game day In-Field Captaincy, Ciraldo was told that the crew will share the posts between the newly appointed Co-Captains. Reed Mahoney and Matt Burton.
Mahoney, who played junior reps for the Bulldogs and just returned to the Club in 2023, said he was still trying to get the message across;
“I’ve never really been involved in a leadership group before. Cam touched on it when I came, that he wanted me to come and give my presence when I came, and that I got on the board. It took me a little bit to feel comfortable in it, but it’s all just about my actions and training I found it hard.
“That’s where I am today — it’s hard work,” he said.
I gladly accept the honor of his new role, he does not respect Arundo.
“I’m just super excited to be a leader in this company, and this Club – it’s so powerful. When it comes to Strong Clubs, you don’t want to be a part of another club. I’m really looking forward to what the future holds for Clubs,” he said.
We are all in one. We’ve had another month or so of time and we need to do a lot of work, but it’s really good, and I’m excited for what’s ahead of us. It’s super exciting for me and I’m just really looking forward to it.
For Burton, his appointment comes just weeks after he signed a new deal that will see him in blue and white for the next season (five years). While that didn’t come as a surprise to his teammates, Matt said the news of the arrest caught him off guard;
“I never thought I’d get the chance to be on the sideline and it’s obviously a really big honor,” he said.
“I’m really looking forward to it and it’s great that I’ll have Reed there besides me. It’s new for both of us so it’s going to be a great match, but we’re both really looking forward to leading the side.”
While both Reed and Matt are new to the role of Captain, they don’t need to look far for leadership roles. Students with a number, including ex-Canterbury Skippers Andrew Ryan, Terricus Lamb and very recently; Joseph Jackson He is still working closely with the Club and the team.
“It’s good to have those guys around us just to mentor, and you know, if we ever need anything, they’re always there. It’s good to have them around, I’ve asked a few questions here and there, but right now our main focus is right in the pre-season so that when the time comes, it’s rare to go.
There is a whole new vibe around the Club. There’s obviously a lot of new staff and a few new faces around the team but it’s been a great feeling around the club so far and I’m just looking forward to the season
He is the Group Leader and works directly with Andrew Bobcat Ryan in terms of Leadership & Culture development:
“The new leadership structure comes mainly from the staff but up to the Group Leader, then every player is decided,” he said.
“These are players who all naturally lead in their own way. It was a no-brainer to have someone like Ray as Club Captain with experience and presence around the Club, as he is. And now these two guys, Burto [Burton] and Reed in game day roles, leaders have recently been in their own way in training, and both are equally in their own right, the right of the people to the job.
It’s a time where all things change, so it’s an exciting time in India to have this new structure and it’s a perfect fit for our Club and where we are now.
Now in charge of leading the Bobcat out of the country; Ray Fisher-Mariner He said he knew when Josh Jackson announced his retirement it was time for him to step up.
“With Jack [Josh Jackson] retired and obviously one of the seniors at the club, I felt like a few lads needed to step up – Josh Jackson’s are big shoes to fill – so I thought I’d be one of those lads to step up.
“I knew we had a good crowd going through and because I really love the Club and what they did for me, I thought the best way to restore it was to be the leader and to be true to myself.”
Ray had a difficult time in 2022, with a few setbacks due to injury. However, despite being sidelined for much of the time, he continued to return to the field and reached the 100-mile mark in September.
This season the Club Captaincy was done with the utmost admiration and counsel of the Bulldog;
“I’m not waiting for it. It’s just surreal that I’ve come back from my injury, but it’s been a blessing in disguise in a way. It’s helped me to build patience, character and resilience and it’s helped me to be more grateful and appreciate the little things.
Since I have been given this care, I feel that the work I have gone through has in a way shaped my heart and prepared my heart for this task – although it is from my quilting, I know my heart is in the right place. on account of the flight of labors and pains.
As he comes to help cultivate the culture of Club 2023, Ray seeks to put some words of wisdom on the agenda;
“My father always said to me, ‘Leading from behind’ means you always humble yourself and just serve.”
“The culture here is crazy. It’s crazy because it’s not just coming from the coaches, from the staff, it’s coming from the players. How cool Ciro was. [Ciraldo] He gave us the ownership and responsibility to come up with our purpose and our good, and because it comes from us now we have to live up to that way and apply that culture in everything we do.
It’s good and all the boys buy into it. Togetherness is a great thing, and we need to succeed in staying connected and trusting each other.
The club congratulates our new leaders and we look forward to the 2023 season under their leadership.