AFL executive Kylie Rogers has been appointed the new chief executive of the Victoria Racing Club (VRC).
Rogers has been announced as the replacement for the outgoing CEO Steve Rosich, ending her near seven-year tenure at the AFL, where she has been Executive General Manager Customer and Commercial.
Before that she was at media brand Mamamia as Managing Director and National Sales Director, having previously worked at Network Ten as National Sales Director.
“The VRC is one of the world's greatest sporting and cultural institutions, and it is an organisation I am extremely excited and honoured to be leading,” Rogers said.
“I love racing, and I look forward to working with Neil (Wilson - chairman), the board, and the entire VRC team to elevate the club and the Flemington precinct into the future.”
VRC Chairman Neil Wilson said Rogers’ extensive experience made her a standout candidate for the job.
“Kylie is one of Australia’s most well-known and respected senior executives. Having more than 25 years’ experience working across the AFL, Mamamia and Network Ten, she brings a high level of commercial acumen, and impressive customer and media experience across major events, entertainment and sport,” Wilson said.
“As part of an impressive resume, Kylie has overseen the significant commercial growth of the AFL, been instrumental in the redevelopment of Marvel Stadium, the growth of AFL’s digital and marketing platforms, and has been pivotal in improving the customer experience and fan acquisition strategy.
“We believe Kylie’s career experience and leadership qualities are extremely well aligned to our strategy and the delivery of the next exciting chapter for the VRC, which includes accelerating our local and global ambitions across racing, events and media, including the Melbourne Cup Carnival, and to build the next generation of the Flemington Racecourse precinct as a year-round sport and entertainment destination.”
“We believe Kylie’s career experience and leadership qualities are extremely well aligned to our strategy and the delivery of the next exciting chapter for the VRC." - Neil Wilson
Rogers will become the 14th VRC CEO and the second in a row sourced from the AFL sector, with Rosich having previous occupied the role as CEO of the Fremantle Dockers.
Bren O’Brien
The outgoing CEO received the thanks of the chairman.
“Steve joined the club midway through the pandemic and successfully led the business out of COVID achieving significant milestones, including record membership, growth in Cup Week crowds and the new media and wagering partnership with TAB and Nine Entertainment,” Wilson said.
“Steve’s last day with the VRC will be 31 July, coinciding with the end of the racing season.”
