Western Force appoints experienced sports executive Brad Paatsch

Highly experienced sports executive Brad Paatsch has been appointed to the role of Head of Commercial, Strategy and Operations of the Western Force.

Paatsch has 20 years of experience in marketing, commercial negotiations and government liaison, particularly in professional sports.

At the Force he will initially focus on the development of the commercial strategy, procurement of media partners and sponsors and the implementation of a premium hospitality program for the West Australian rugby team, with this role likely to evolve as the Force grows.

Commenting on his new role, Paatsch stated “I am really excited about building a new presence for the Western Force, alongside the high-calibre team being assembled.

“I have worked on some big projects throughout my career, but this new phase of the Force presents incredible potential and is an opportunity too good to turn down. I can’t wait to be part of another new venture at the heart of the WA community.”

Paatsch was most recently Chief Operating Officer at Perth’s new Optus Stadium where he oversaw the development and implementation of the commercial program, including naming rights and venue partnerships.

Prior to that he spent five years as the General Manager of Strategic projects at the Fremantle Dockers, where he successfully managed the AFL club’s involvement in the Cockburn ARC administration and training facility.

He has also worked with AFL Clubs Melbourne and Collingwood and in NRL and A-League Football.

1st February 2018 - OPTUS STADIUM SENIOR EXECUTIVE MADE REDUNDANT LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AFTER VENUE OPENING 

29th January 2018 - MORE THAN 53,000 FANS ATTEND FIRST SPORTING EVENT AT PERTH’S OPTUS STADIUM 

22nd January 2018 - WESTERN AUSTRALIAN PREMIER OPENS GATES TO PERTH’S NEW OPTUS STADIUM

19th December 2017 - LOCAL BUSINESSES BENEFIT FROM NEW OPTUS STADIUM CONTRACTS 

8th December 2017 - WESTERN FORCE RUGBY UNION BRAND TO RETURN IN 2018 

17th November 2017 - WESTERN FORCE LEGAL LOSS LEADS RUGBYWA TO ENTER VOLUNTARY ADMINISTRATION

15th November 2017 - RUGBY AUSTRALIA MADE DECISION TO AXE WESTERN FORCE MONTHS BEFORE FINANCES EXAMINED

8th November 2017 - OPTUS SECURES NAMING RIGHTS FOR NEW PERTH STADIUM 

28th October 2017 - AUSTRALIAN RUGBY UNION REBRANDS AS RUGBY AUSTRALIA

6th September 2017 - MINING TYCOON PLANS NEW INDO-PACIFIC RUGBY TOURNAMENT AFTER WESTERN FORCE APPEAL FAILS 

23rd November 2016 - BRAD PAATSCH NAMED PERTH STADIUM CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER