After 38 years of service, St Marys Rugby League Club president Warren Smith will retire at the end of the month.
Smith, who has been club president for 35 years, announced his retirement at the St Marys Rugby League Club season launch on 9 March.
“What the board and those that came before us have collectively created, on and off the field at Saints is truly something special, it’s something I’m immensely proud of,” he said.
“I strongly believe that you should always try and end on a high note and looking at the club now, I could not think of a more fitting time for me to step aside and hand the reigns over to the next generation of Saints.”
David Cartwright, one of the club’s current vice president, has been announced as his successor. Cartwright has been associated with St Marys Rugby League Club for 55 years as a player, coach, trainer, mentor and board director. He was elected to the St Marys Rugby League Club board in 1997 and appointed vice president in 2013.
Under Smith’s stewardship, the club underwent an impressive $25 million western foyer development, as well as the construction of the Saints sports bar, event centre, the four-star Holiday Inn Sydney St Marys.
Reflecting on his career, Smith highlighted the evolution of the club’s rugby league operations and facilities over its impressive 116-year history, attributing its success to the collective efforts of the board, staff, sponsors, volunteers, and members.
St Marys Rugby League Club CEO Rod Desborough, CEO paid tribute to Smith, crediting him for the club’s growth and success.
“I know Warren considers it an honour and privilege to be president of the club, but I consider it an honour and privilege to have had Warren as my president,” he said.
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Well done Warren on a great achievement and what you have done to build the club to what it is today. Without you and the likes of Cozzie this is the establishment that St Marys now has