Melbourne Storm has inducted four new Life Members yesterday evening at the Club’s annual Life Member Dinner held at AAMI Park.
Over 19 of Storm’s Life Members were in attendance alongside players and staff as Assistant Coaches Marc Brentnall and Aaron Bellamy were inducted together with current Chairman Matt Tripp as well as former Chairman and long-time Board Member Bart Campbell.
The Club also acknowledged significant staff milestones on the night, awarded the annual Volunteer Appreciation Award in addition to the John Ribot Leadership Grant.
Bart Campbell – Life Member #39
Chairman from 2013 to 2020, Bart Campbell led Storm through a significant period of growth. Under Campbell, the Club transformed into a commercially viable business and with that bringing stability.
On field success has been a constant during Campbell’s time in Melbourne with Storm featuring in Finals in every season of his involvement. The Club also secured an expansion Super Netball team, Sunshine Coast Lightning during Campbell’s time, with on court success following in the name of two premierships.
Since finishing his tenure as Chairman, Campbell continued to serve on the board, demonstrating his commitment to the Club’s ongoing growth, development and success.
Matt Tripp – Life Member #40
Joining the Club in 2013 as a shareholder before moving to Director and then Chairman, Matt Tripp has been in the Storm family for over a decade.
Appointed Chairman in May 2020, Tripp led the Club through a period of continued growth and successfully navigated the challenges of the COVID-impacted 2020 and 2021 seasons. Under his leadership, the Club demonstrated its commitment to fans by offering free memberships to all Victorian members in recognition of their loyalty during those years, and has maintained a focus on delivering first-class experiences for members and commercial partners.
Tripp has been instrumental in helping create an environment which continues to promote Storm’s on field success, including the retention of several key leadership positions at the Club in recent years.
During his time at Storm, the Chairman has seen two premierships, five minor premierships and a World Club Challenge victory.
Marc Brentnall – Life Member #41
An integral part of Storm’s coaching line-up since 2013, current Assistant Coach Marc Brentnall becomes a Life Member 18 years after his father Greg (Life Member #5) achieved the same feat.
Brentnall’s long association with the Club began back in 1998 as Storm’s inaugural ball boy. It then moved into his playing days where he was part of the Storm squad, featuring for feeder side Norths Devils before he moved into the coaching ranks.
Brentnall helped steer the Club’s next generation in the U20 Thunderbolts program which included a stint as NYC Head Coach in 2015 before moving into a development coaching role and then graduating to Assistant Coach - his current post.
The fruits of Brentnall’s hard work can be seen on the field, playing an instrumental role with the Club’s playmakers to get their attack humming each week.
Aaron Bellamy – Life Member #42
Football and Melbourne Storm have always been a part of Aaron Bellamy’s life – the now Assistant Coach has been in and around the football club for over 20 years.
Working as a video analyst starting in the premiership year of 2012, Bellamy assisted coaching and performance staff analysing training and game vision while also supporting with opposition analysis. He officially joined the Club’s NRL coaching outfit in 2016 as a Development Coach, working with the younger members of the Storm squad looking to make the transition into first-grade.
Bellamy has since stepped into his current role as Assistant Coach where he plays a vital role in developing talent and fine tuning Storm’s attacking structures – his trademark work ethic paired with his genuine passion and care has helped many a Storm player come through the system achieve their potential.
Bellamy joins his father, Craig (Life Member #9) in the illustrious group after he was inducted in 2010.
Volunteer Appreciation Award
A football club cannot operate without the hard work and dedication of volunteers who give up their time to help see the club succeed.
For Storm, Samantha Shaw has given up countless hours over the last 24 seasons volunteering at Storm home games in the match day office at AAMI Park, Docklands and Olympic Park.
A Foundation Member of the Club since 1998 after moving to Melbourne with her family, Shaw’s dedication and volunteering since 2000 has seen her meet countless of Storm fans with her trademark smile over the years.
Shaw was presented the 2025 award by Head of Membership Emma Loraine.
John Ribot Leadership Grant
The John Ribot Leadership grant provides financial support to inspire and support the leadership development of the people at Melbourne Storm and Sunshine Coast Lightning. The initiative was first introduced in 2021.
The recipients of the award for 2025 were Alex Rooke and Oscar Anderson.
