The Sydney Swans are mourning the sudden passing of Steve Laussen, the club’s well respected former Football Manager, who passed away in his sleep on Saturday night at the age of 60.

Steve joined the Swans in 1997 following a successful amateur football career in Victoria and stints with AFL club’s Carlton and Melbourne in strength and conditioning roles.

Steve's understanding of the game and its component parts stemmed from his love of playing football, his passion for sport and exercise science, and most importantly to him, the satisfaction he derived from being part of a team which aspired to shared success.

During his time at the Swans, Steve introduced and structured a new level of administrative professionalism and sports science to football operations that helped lay the foundation for the sustained high performance the club experienced during his tenure and since his departure following the 2002 season.

While deeply and firmly committed to the Sydney Swans during tenure with the Club, he remained a lifelong Melbourne supporter, and one can only imagine the joy he must have felt on Grand Final day this year.

Upon hearing the sad news of his passing, many of his colleagues and players from the club at the time expressed a heartfelt and consistent message about him as a manager, colleague and friend.

He was described by those who knew him best as a man of enormous integrity, great company, a gentleman and someone who made everyone feel like the most important person in the club. Universally, those that worked with him, described it as a privilege.

The Sydney Swans, along with the former players and staff who were fortunate enough to work with Steve, extends its deepest sympathy to his wife Sarah Jo and his children Ella, William and Henry.