WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country is pleased to announce the appointment of Luke Maher and Tim Macmichael as Football Development Managers (FDMs) for the Barwon Region.
Maher, a previous employee at Football and Netball Geelong, and Macmichael, a qualified teacher originally from Tasmania, presented as outstanding candidates for the FDM positions during an extensive recruitment process.
As FDMs, the pair will play an important role in the development and implementation of a strategic plan for football in the region.
They will operate in a Football Development team of three, with current Geelong Region Development Manager John Edsall transitioning into the role during July.
Maher and Macmichael will also have a hands-on role in promoting and growing the game in conjunction with the AFL Barwon Commission and WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country.
Barwon Commission Region General Manager Lee Hartman said the appointment represented a significant investment in football in the region.
"Having Luke, Tim and John perform the role of a FDM will benefit all associated leagues, clubs and players, along with the next generation of footballers involved in local NAB AFL Auskick programs."
The role of the FDM is an amalgamation of the current AFL Victoria Region
Development Managers and WorkSafe AFL Vic Country Area Managers, and will give all stakeholders in the region access to new levels of support and game development expertise.
"Tim and Luke are both quality people and we are extremely pleased to have them on board," Hartman said.
"They will complement the terrific work John Edsall has done in the region from a development perspective and we look forward to greater development outcomes across the region with the increase in resources.
"The restructure of football administration in the region will see a wealth of
benefits flow through to everyone involved in local football, and Tim, Luke and John will play a significant role in this.
"With Luke's experience – having previously worked for Football and Netball Geelong – he brings to the role tremendous local knowledge and strong working relationships with many of our affiliated leagues and clubs.
"Tim also brings vital skills to the role as a qualified teacher with more than five years experience in a classroom, after previously working in a development role with AFL Tasmania.
"His experience as a teacher will be vital to the programs we have in place and we look forward to what he can achieve in the role of FDM.
"Not forgetting current Region Development Manager John Edsall whose experience will be invaluable in the new structure."
The new positions will take effect in early July.
