Media Release | AFL Victoria is pleased to advise that John O’Donohue has accepted the role of Community Football Manager after working for the past 18 months as AFL Victoria’s Country Football Manager.

John will take over the role from Sophie Williams who is undertaking a secondment within the Operations team as Operations Manager.

John transitions to the Community Football Manager role with significant experience in the football industry having worked in a variety of roles across a 19-year span.

John worked for nine years as an Area Manager with the VCFL in Northeast Victoria and was instrumental in establishing two regions and region administration centres. He moved into the inaugural position of Regional General Manager for AFL Northeast Border where he was responsible for managing several leagues and implementing new female programs and divisions.

John has extensive community football management knowledge and has shown a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders which sees him well-positioned to deliver the strategic priorities of the role. He has an expansive skillset that includes well-rounded leadership and operational skills and significant experience as a people leader having led large and diverse teams.

It is an important time for community football as we continue to recover from multiple COVID affected seasons and regain momentum as a code, and we look forward to the experience and expertise that John will bring in this new role.