Pyke begins new Eagles role

A new chapter of football operations has officially begun at the West Coast Eagles, with two-time premiership player Don Pyke starting as the club's new chief executive officer on Monday. 

Mr Pyke, who has also enjoyed success across a variety of football administration, business management and coaching roles since his playing retirement in 1996, was officially appointed on November 2 last year. He takes over from Trevor Nisbett, who served as the club's CEO since 1999. 

When Mr Pyke began his playing career with the Eagles in 1989, footballers were effectively part-time athletes, which meant many needed to either study or work in a full-time capacity. 

On the back of studying commerce at the University of Western Australia, Mr Pyke worked as an accountant between 1989 and 1994, before transitioning to finance and football-based positions following his 132-game career. 

Mr Nisbett grew up in Bunbury, where he enjoyed a successful playing career with South Bunbury in the South West Football League, before moving up to Perth and holding multiple football operations positions with WAFL clubs East Perth and Subiaco in the 1980s.

In 1989, Mr Nisbett was appointed football manager at the Eagles and held the role until 1999, when he became the club's CEO.  

Throughout Mr Nisbett's tenure, the Eagles established themselves as one of Australia's most successful sporting organisations; boosted by an impressive balance sheet, sustained on-field success and a thriving membership base, which has hit 100,000 on four occassions. 

The Eagles announced in September last year that they were planning an extensive search to find Mr Nisbett's replacement.