A new chapter in the Victorian Women’s Football League will be led by experienced football administrator Darren Flanigan.
The former Geelong and St Kilda ruckman has been selected from a strong field of candidates to manage the VWFL, which from 1 November 2013 will be administered by AFL Victoria.
Flanigan has close to 20 years’ experience working in football administration, including 10 of them spent as AFL Victoria’s Dandenong Stingrays Region Manager where he helped develop and grow a highly successful talent program.
He has also spent a combined seven years as a part-time ruck coach with Melbourne and Collingwood and has been an integral part of the coaching staff at both of AFL Victoria’s U18 State Academies.
After moving to China and helping establish the South China Football League and a talented athlete academy, Flanigan returned to Victoria this year to take charge of the VFL Academy, designed to help talented players in the second-tier competition be considered for selection by AFL clubs.
AFL Victoria State League and Talent Manager John Hook said to have someone of Darren’s experience was a significant coup for the VWFL and women’s football in general.
“Darren already has incredibly strong relationships with key stakeholders in the broader football community and his knowledge of all levels of the industry will be invaluable to the VWFL,” Hook said.
“He also brings to the job a thorough understanding of the challenges clubs face daily, and key commercial contacts which will be imperative in the push to develop and enhance the VWFL competition and the clubs involved.”
Hook said Flanigan, with the support from AFL Victoria, would look at ways of bolstering the VWFL and ensure it continues to grow and remains the strongest female league in Australia.
“Youth Girls participation in Victoria is experiencing enormous growth and it’s important to capitalise on the rise in popularity and help players transition into a high standard open age competition.”
Flanigan said he was excited to be taking the reins of the VWFL on behalf of AFL Victoria and is looking forward to building on the momentum created this year.
“I played a small role in the VWFL Academy earlier this year and the level of professionalism and dedication of the players was outstanding.”
“It has been a big 12 months for women’s football with the inaugural AFL Women’s Draft and Exhibition match at the MCG,” Flanigan said.
“There is a real opportunity at present with the growing number of girls and women playing football and I’m excited to be involved in an area so critical to the growth of our great game.”
Last Modified on 15/10/2013 16:18