By Joseph Smith

Since being forced to resign as the Chief Executive Officer of the Bulldogs Rugby League Club on March 22, Steve Mortimer has taken some time off to “catch his breath and smell the roses”.
Mr Mortimer resigned following the furore over allegations that up to six Bulldogs players sexually assaulted a woman in a Coffs Harbour hotel in February. Mr Mortimer insisted that all players must be “answerable to community standards”.
Following the sacking of football manager Garry Hughes who was in charge of the team at the time of the alleged incident, a faction of former players supported by the coach and players put pressure on Mr Mortimer to resign.
“As CEO, I needed change from certain people in the organisation but they weren’t willing,” Mr Mortimer told Southern Cross. “When one of those people went, due to their ties to board members and the players, I was seen as the evil man. I had to fall on my sword. However, I have no hate or vindictiveness, just sorrow.”
Mr Mortimer regrets that his time as CEO was cut short. Positive changes that he hoped to implement at the Bulldogs may never see fruition.
“We had a strategic business plan with a three year focus. One goal was to be a successful sporting organisation independent of gaming funding,” he said. “The gaming industry should always be answerable to the community, with funds going back into the community. I think that there is a dark cloud over gaming. To the Bulldogs’ credit, they’re looking to see how they can generate income apart from gaming.”
Another initiative Mr Mortimer introduced was a welfare night to encourage players in seeking a career after football. “I had a job while I played football. These days they’re full-time players. I wanted them to have a better grounding for when they leave football and prepare for the next chapter of their life, the biggest chapter,” Mr Mortimer said.
“We had three speakers including the Rev Bill Crews. I thought this would be a great opportunity for the Bulldogs to give out meals, read books to kids who have been physically or sexually abused, and to develop a relationship with the community. It’s not just benefiting the community – it would benefit the players, too. Giving is better than receiving,” he said.
Originally from Wagga Wagga, Mr Mortimer recalls going to church with his parents and attending Sunday school as a child. “My parents would dress us up. I learnt the catechism off by heart in parrot fashion. I always had my faith, but never really connected until I came to Sydney to play football. When I left football and started my own business, I did it tough for a little while. In 1993, I visited a child in hospital with bad asthma. As a way of saying thank you, the mother gave me a New Testament. I started to read a bit of it. I was very determined in anything I did, so I hung in there,” he said.
Mr Mortimer has been a member of St Paul’s, Menai for over 16 years, and values his relationship with rector, Rob Barrie.
“He’s been excellent. When I first took over as CEO after the salary cap crisis [in August 2002], I saw Rob with a tear in my eye. He consoled me, strengthened me and prayed for me. Deep down I’m a private person, even though I’m in the public eye and Rob understands that.
“I put my hand up for mowing the church lawns, not for greeting people. My three children have been confirmed at St Paul’s and my daughter was christened there. Rob’s been a very important part of my life and the life of Mortimer family,” he said.
“In hard times I have been brought closer to God. Having a Christian faith puts your life in perspective,” he says.
“Romans 12 says all people have different abilities. I’m sure there will be other opportunities to utilise the skills God has blessed me with in the next chapter of my life.”