MEET the new face of the Western Region Football League (WRFL).
John Batty, a loyal servant to the game of football - particularly at local level - moved seamlessly into the job as the new league chief executive officer.
After months of hunting for a successor to Damien Phillips, it turned out the league did not have to look far, allowing Batty to move from vice-president to CEO.
On paper, the WRFL earmarked the right man.
Batty has 25 years of experience as a schoolteacher and has spent the past 14 as a development manager for Football Victoria and the WRFL.
He has also served on the league's board of directors since 2002.
I'm excited. If you go by the old football analogy, it's like a new game," Batty said.
It's going to be a challenge, and that's what I like. You're always looking for a new challenge.
"It's a huge responsibility, but in the end I'm just a custodian for the game."
Batty's long-serving involvement in the WRFL made him the perfect candidate to take over the hot seat.
"It has given me a really good insight into the league," he said.
"I understand the league and the people, and the importance it has to people in the western suburbs."
"The Western Region Football League people are good people."
Batty said it was crucial that he continued the work of Phillips, who continued to ensure the league grew and moved with the times.
"He's brought many good things to the league," Batty said.
"The one thing I admire about Damien is that he is very good at looking at the big picture.
"He was very aware that the league needed to be expanded."
In his first few days in the job, Batty has already met with club presidents to explore ways in which the league can continue to prosper at all levels.
"All forms of football are about being a team game. Together we want to make sure the league continues to grow," he said.
"We're not going to change just for the sake of change.
"It would be silly to say we won't change anything because the game of footy is always changing, but I thought we had a good year this year.
"If we do make change, it has to benefit everyone."
WRFL president Ian Hamm said he was confident Batty was the man to take the league to the next level.
"John's knowledge of the football industry, and in particular his knowledge of football in the western suburbs and the people involved, is second-to-none, making him ideal for the position."
Meanwhile, the league's football operations manager Scott Turner has accepted the role of football manager at West Adelaide Football Club in the South Australian league after three years of service to the WRFL.
Last Modified on 06/03/2008 22:03