Dario Ascenzo-Vice President

Dario is the MD of Comselec Services, employing 24 staff locally in Coburg. Comselec Services provide an electrical communications work in the Commercial and Construction industry. Comselec have been a Platinum sponsor of the Club since Coburg FC went stand alone.

Through his generous sponsorship and work around the Club, he has grown an enormous passion for Coburg FC. He joined the Board in 2017 and now takes on the role of Vice President. Together with his Managerial and business expertise, he will work with the Board on relationships with the AFL, local Council, corporate sponsors and is part of the Coburg 2024 Strategic Planning sub-committee.

Cecille Callaghan-Government Relations Director

Cecille has over twenty-five years’ experience in both Commercial Property and Facilities management across multiple business sectors throughout Australia and Asia. Her current role as the Asia Pacific Leasing Manager for a global Energy & Resources engineering company, enables her to meet and negotiate with some of the country’s largest commercial property landlords and agencies.

Cecille is a highly regarded presenter amongst her charity peers for the work she supports. This highlights her professionalism in all that she undertakes. Using her exceptional negotiations skills, Cecille is committed to supporting the club to review and improve contractual arrangements and assist with seeking further sponsorship and support for the club.

Growing up in a family full of parochial Essendon supporters, Cecille had no choice but to follow and support footy.  She is excited about being involved in this new chapter of the club.

John Alducci - Member Services and Events

John Alducci is an experienced professional within the thoroughbred industry which he has been actively employed in for his entire business and professional career. Positions held by John include the National role as Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Trainers Association where he represented racehorse trainers for 25 years.

John has also held a Board level position with the Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association for 10 years and is currently a trustee of the Australian Trainers Trust and has had experience of being on industry selection panels for executives and Board members.

John brings to Coburg FC a wealth of administration, business, management, insurance and member services experience and is a Coburg person through and through who is passionate about seeing Coburg FC gain on and off field success.

Nelson Brown - Legal Director

Nelson is the Principal of Nelson Brown Legal, a criminal law firm based in Melbourne and has been practising law since 2010. Playing football since year one in South Australia, Nelson hung up the boots after winning the Goldfields Football League (Kalgoorlie, WA) reserves premiership in 2013. Shortly after, he and his wife moved to Melbourne to continue his career in the law. Nelson and his young family live locally in Coburg.

For Nelson, the Coburg Lions Football Club – as a standalone VFL team – represents a local, community club for Coburg, and the surrounding suburbs. The Club has a very exciting future both on-field, after bringing in fresh talent through sharp recruiting moves and off-field as the club looks to redevelop their home-ground.

Using his legal, communications and advocacy skills, Nelson looks forward to giving advice to the Board, players and members. He is excited to work with the club in applying for grants through submissions, being involved in fundraising and social activities and most of all – meeting new and passionate people who strive for Coburg Lions success.

Tim Martin - Governance, Compliance & Technology Director

Tim specialises in the application of information technology to help BHP run more effectively and efficiently. He develops technology strategies and ensures initiatives comply with regulations, align with the appetite for risk and achieve a competitive advantage. Prior to joining BHP, he supported and led internal and external audits for clients in various industries as a management consultant for Ernst & Young (EY) and served the community as a South Australian Justice of the Peace.

Tim recently completed a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) Degree as well as the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Company Directors Course. Tim is also a Director for End Homelessness SA (EHSA) and the National IT Advisor for the United Nations Association of Australia (UNAA). Tim joined the clubs board in May 2019.

Alex Sapurmas - General Board Member

Alex is one of our most passionate supporters and as the COO of Piranha Foods has generously sponsored the Club for many years including names rights sponsor of the ground. He brings a wealth of experience to the board with extensive experience in local and overseas business.

Steve Russo - Treasurer

Steve has been working as an accountant in Business Services and Taxation for 20 years assisting small to medium type businesses with their compliance and tax matters. Currently employed as a Senior Accountant at Premier Professional Partners he continues to serve his clients through significant change and growth.

As Treasurer of the Coburg Football Club he has been a part of the transition period when Coburg FC went stand alone and is working on prospering the club, not just for today but also for its future. He is also a family man with 2 children and a mad Hawthorn supporter. He believes work‐life balance is not just about having a strong work ethic, but also maintaining his home‐life balance as well.