Webb is ending his 12-year stint working for AFL Queensland on the Darling Downs as he takes up a new position with the state body in Brisbane.
He will work with each of the affiliated leagues across Queensland, including the Darling Downs, to help grow the game throughout the state.
It is a nostalgic yet exciting time for Webb given the upcoming change after more than a decade on the Downs.
"Given what we've achieved over the last 12 years I hope that we've created a pretty good environment out this way and whoever comes into the position can take up where we left off,” Webb said from AFLDD's new office at Concordia Lutheran College.
"I'm passionate about Darling Downs football and, for me, to be able to step away completely would have been a difficult thing to do so it's a win-win for me. I get a career pathway progression but I'm still involved with what's happening in the Darling Downs structure.”
Webb started on the Downs back in 2005 and is proud of the way schools have got involved with the game during his tenure and also the growth of female participation in the sport.
"I think the biggest change that I've seen is the acceptance of the game across all aspects of all of the programs we deliver. There is a real acceptance to give it a go now and we have a great connection with our schooling network,” he said.
"I think that is probably the thing we are most proud of, is our involvement with all of the schools across the entire Darling Downs.
"The challenge from there is to transition these kids from a school environment into a club environment and we've still got a long way to go there.
"We're by no means the number one code out this way but we've made some real strides forward in terms of engaging participants.”
And on female participation: "The women's game has gone from strength to strength and that is a real change I've seen since 2005 to now,” Webb said.
"There was a very low contingent of female players playing back in that day but whereas now, I think we've got close to 30 per cent of our overall participants are female. We had 11,000 participants on the Downs last year.”
Webb will take up his new position in March.
(Story from Toowoomba Chronicle sat 21st January, 2017)
Last Modified on 24/01/2017 10:52
