By Trent Slatter | The Chronicle
trent.slatter@thechronicle.com.au
Neumann leaves lasting mark on Downs AFL Comp
Departing AFL Darling Downs Development Co-ordinator Jeff Neumann is confident he's leaving the league in a strong position.
After nine years working to grow Aussie Rules on the Darling Downs, Neumann has accepted the Regional Manager role with AFL Queensland in Mackay.
He finishes up in Toowoomba this week and took a chance to reflect on the changes he's seen during his time with the league.
The senior men's competition has grown from just six teams to 16 across two divisions with clubs stretching from Lockyer Valley to Chinchilla and north to Kingaroy.
But Neumann's crowning achievement is the creation of a women's competition.
The women's competition will expand to eight teams this season with the inclusion of South Burnett and the Toowoomba Tigers.
Neumann said the push for more female footy started with just a handful of players.
"It started from something as little as taking four players from the region down to the Gold Coast on a weekend to give them the opportunity to player footy," he said.
"It's taken off to eight teams in the 2015 season, so it's massive.
"Those tiny little bits have added up to the bigger picture now which is fantastic.
"It's just starting to expand so I'm leaving it in a really good place which is good to see."
Neumann who grew up in Meringandan comes from a rugby league background and played his first club game in the AFL Darling Downs competition.
He believed the league had taken huge steps to establish Aussie rules as an option during the winter footy season.
"Our participation numbers are fantastic... we've definitely got our foot in the door," he said.
"We're known as one of the major sports in the region now compared to when I first came into the game."
Last Modified on 28/06/2016 14:02
