New Football Manager appointed

Waterpolo WA Chief Excecutive and 1991 Claremont premiership player Dale Ballantyne has been appointed as the Club's new Football Operations Manager, replacing Tyson Beattie who has taken up a position at West Coast Eagles in the Club's sponsorship department.

Ballantyne arrives at Perth with a rich history in sport and football both professionally and as a player.

He spent time at Claremont Football Club as their Youth Development Manager before managing country development at the WA Football Commission. More recently, Ballantyne has been CEO of Waterpolo WA for the past five and a half years.

As a player Ballantyne played 64 league games with Claremont between 1989-95, winning a premiership at colts, reserves and league level.

Ballantyne said he's been looking at getting back into football in some capacity and the position at Perth couldn't have come up at a better time.

"This role came up and things all fell into line. This is a good move, I’m very excited," Ballantyne said.

"It’s an ideal time for me from a professional point of view, from a personal point of view and if I look at what I’ve seen around the Club already it’s a Club that wants to go the right way."

Ballantyne has been on the Club's board for the past three months and is excited by what he's seen.

"Being on the board actually allowed me to see what was happening at Perth and I believe there are some really good things happening not just in a football sense but right through the Club," Ballantyne said.

"There’s an excitement around the place at the moment with the playing potential and I also see that there are people on the board who are looking to move this Club in the right direction."

Ballantyne, who turns 48 next week, said he believes he can build a club where people want to be leaders.

"I really believe I’ve got something to offer as far as helping guide players, coaches and support staff," Ballantyne said.

"I continue to look back at my time at Claremont and how we actually got the best out of ourselves as a playing group and the coaches were very good at delivering that.

"That’s stuck with me, it’s over 20 years now and I still understand it, I look back and think it’s still relevant."

Ballantyne will commence at Perth on the 27th of February.