Our People | Magpies Sporting Club Mackay

Our Management Team

Our Management Team have been appointed by the Board of Directors to ensure that Magpies Sporting Club operates as a successful and award-winning Club, that delivers on our Strategic Plan. Each of our Managers have specialised skills, knowledge and experience within their individual areas of expertise and this ensures that our club is in very capable hands. Our Managers come from diverse backgrounds and share a strong passion, commitment and dedication to Magpies and the contribution that we make to our staff, our members and our community.

DARREN SMITH

General Manager

As General Manager, Darren manages the day to day operations, whilst planning, developing and executing business strategies to enhance all aspects of the club. Darren boasts over 20 years of Senior Management experience in Queensland community clubs, from General Manager roles in Brisbane, to Marketing and Gaming experience, all backed by an Associate Degree Bachelor of Business in Club Management. He relocated from Brisbane to the tropics of Mackay in 2012 specifically to fill the Operations Manager role and he has not looked back. As a sports tragic Darren is a perfect fit for Magpies and its 11 affiliated sporting clubs. He particularly enjoys the community involvement and working as a team to make a positive difference to the Mackay community, and having fun while doing it.

BRIAN MCCALL

Manager – Sports & Club Operations

Mackay local Brian, also well known as ‘Butch’, has some 30 years under his belt within the Mackay Hospitality industry running his own venues from restaurants, function centres and pubs. Alongside his extensive hospitality experience, his sporting aptitude cemented him as a perfect fit for Magpies Sporting Club, joining the management team in 2015. His ‘people focused’, optimistic management style has played a significant factor in evolving the renowned and progressive Magpies culture and in cultivating our staff’s personal growth.

CHRISTIANE CHRISTOFFEL

Financial Controller

Christiane joined the Magpies Team in 2013. After completing a Bachelor of Business Degree she continued her professional development becoming a Chartered Accountant followed by a Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning. Bringing many years’ experience from Tax and Business services in Public practice to Commercial Manager in Engineering and Chief Financial Officer/Business operations in Biotechnology. The opportunity to join Magpies and engage in the Hospitality and Gaming Industry brought a new challenge. She enjoys working for a successful and progressive club and seeing the benefits of its success being passed on to Club members, affiliates and the local community.

ALAHNA HALL

HR Manager

Alahna’s passionate about helping Magpies Sporting Club harness the full potential of our greatest asset, our people. While making a real difference in people’s lives by providing them with a workplace that is safe, positive and where they can be productive and fulfilled to do their best work. Alahna holds a Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management), a post-grad diploma in Human Resource Management and is currently completing a HR Certification with the Australian Human Resource Institute. Alahna and her family are true Magpies’, she plays and coaches with Magpies Basketball Club, her daughter plays for Magpies Basketball Club, her husband plays for Magpies Cricket Club and her son has just started playing Rugby League with Magpies Junior Rugby League Club!

AMBER RIES

Marketing Manager

Our motivated Marketing Manager Amber holds 14 years in the marketing and advertising industry, in 2014 she leapt at the chance to join such a reputable employer in Magpies Sporting Club. Amber graduated from CQ University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) and Bachelor of Professional Communication (Public Relations & Media) and is a Certified Practicing Marketer (AMAMI CPM) and associate member of the Australian Marketing Institute. As the face behind the Magpies brand her day is filled with brainstorming, graphic design, promotions, social media and advertising campaigns to name a few, she claims it’s an easy job to market an award winning business of Magpies Sporting Clubs calibre.

MATT WICKS

Food & Beverage Manager

Matt is originally from the UK but has been in Mackay now for 8 years, joining Magpies in 2019 to fill a newly created position of Food & Beverage Manager. Matt is responsible for the performance of Magpies food and beverage departments: Centro Restaurant, The Hub Cafe, Magpies Sportsbar and Skys Function Venue. Working his way up the hierarchy through pubs, clubs and restaurants, Matt has over 15 years Hospitality Management experience together with a Bachelor of Business Management. Matt’s passion for both food and beverage will continue to develop the best service and offerings towards Mackay locals, members and guests.

JESS PEARCE

Functions Manager

Jess has over 8 years experience in the hospitality industry with a diverse background from restaurant manager, shift supervising, making amazing coffee, she has even rolled a few burritos in her time however her passion is with functions and events. Customer service is Jess’s top priority, she will always go above and beyond to meet the customers’ expectations – nothing ever being too much of an ask. Her belief is the ‘small things count’ – this meaning every small detail is taken into consideration when organising and coordinating events. Jess loves nothing more than standing back at a function to watch everything fall perfectly into place.

LEE SPANNAGLE

Head Chef

Lee originally commenced at Magpies as a 1st year Apprentice Chef back in 1996, after completing his trade he worked throughout Brisbane and the Whitsunday Islands. In 2012 he returned to Magpies as Sous Chef and two years later in 2014 was appointed as Head Chef. Head Chef Lee loves the challenge of working at Magpies, every day is different whether it’s catering for a function of 300 people, providing meals for sponsors at a home game or delivering high quality al a carte meals at Centro Restaurant. The standard of quality in our meals is reflected with our booked out Centro Restaurant, delivering over 2,000 meals a week. As a keen fisherman Head Chef Lee is passionate about creating dishes using local seafood that is caught right here on the reef.

GAYAN LOKU

Sport & Community Liaison Officer

A Senior Sports Administrator with over thirteen years of experience, Gayan joined the Magpies team in 2021. After completing his Bachelor of Commerce Degree, majoring in Sports Management and Marketing, Gayan ventured to Papua New Guinea where he worked at the National Cricket Board- Cricket PNG for over 7 years, holding numerous positions and finishing as Director of Cricket. Outside of PNG, Gayan has also worked in women’s sports, sporting clubs and various multicultural groups using sport as a key tool to engage with different communities in Australia and Vanuatu. At Magpies he works with internal and external stakeholders, including our affiliate sporting clubs to ensure that positive outcome, excellent service and the continuous growth of sport can be managed and delivered by all parties.