By the book: how Rosi keeps Wests Tigers running

In almost eight years in the Wests Tigers finance department, Rosemarie Lambrou has seen just about everything. 

As Harvey Norman Women in League Round celebrates its 20th year, the Wests Tigers are shining a spotlight on the women whose dedication behind the scenes makes a lasting impact on both our Club and community.

From working out of an ageing grandstand to the Club's move into a Centre of Excellence, countless player and staff changes and everything in between, Rosemarie has remained a constant presence, meeting every challenge with a smile. 

Affectionately known around the Club as 'Rosi', she is the Wests Tigers Accounts Payable Officer, a role that helps keep the Club running behind the scenes. 

“I’d say half of my role here is accounts payable, paying the vendors and suppliers, and then the other half would be doing the medical forms and payments for the players,’’ Rosi said. 

“The finance team has a very important role because it keeps the company compliant. 

“On the football side of things, we do have the salary cap audit, but primarily it’s keeping us compliant with what we need to do as a company. 

“I just love working here at Wests Tigers. It’s a fantastic club with so many wonderful and devoted people who are all working together for the one cause – to be the best we can be on and off the field.”

A mother of three, former netball player, manager and coach, Rosi always had an interest in sport. 

Ask anyone around the office about Rosi and they'll tell you she's the person people turn to for advice. Whether it's navigating the finance system or gently steering someone away from an idea that might not quite work, she does it with honesty and good humour. 

If you’ve ever got an issue with your finances, Rosi already has the answer. 

Wests Tigers Chief Financial Officer Jamie Barrington reveals there’s more to her role than she lets on.

“Rosi's critical for this organisation on a number of fronts, she sorts out all the medical for the players, and when you talk about players in our club, there is over 300, and that’s every week. Any player that gets injured from juniors right through to our NRL and NRLW players, Rosi is the one that actually sorts the doctors out,” Barrington said.

“It's a big job, and no one really knows what happens, but she does it quietly and effectively, making sure that every person that's here at the club is looked after, medically wise, 100%.”

He continues about the importance of her finance role.

“She's the backbone to that little team. She's there, processes everything every day and is extraordinary.”

“She never misses a beat, is always on top of everything, and is always the one to go to if you need something sorted.

“She's a brilliant individual and just does everything for the club, loves the club, loves the players, loves seeing the kids progress through all the ranks. She would have done the medical for a lot of these NRL players since they were 15, 16 years old, so she knows them well. 

“Rosi just does it without any fuss and just gets it all done and make sure every player in this club is 100%.” 

Throughout the changes over the years at Concord, one constant has been Rosi.

While players and coaches may be the public face of the Wests Tigers, it's people like her, working tirelessly behind the scenes, who help keep the Club moving forward every day. 

“Wests Tigers has grown in so many ways. When I first started here, we were in a very old grandstand at Concord Oval. Now, we’re in a lovely Centre of Excellence building which is very nice,” Rosi said. 

“There has been a lot of growth. There was no NRLW team, and now we have a good one. Wests Tigers are very big on promoting the women’s game. 

“I’ve never been made to feel like this is a man’s domain. I’m quite comfortable with that and I don’t think the club has that attitude at all. 

“I don’t see myself going anywhere else anytime soon.”