General Manager - Community Football Announced

[Wedgie]

GENERAL MANAGER – COMMUNITY FOOTBALL ANNOUNCED

One of the League’s most experienced executives, Glen Rosser, has been appointed to the position of General Manager - Community Football.

Rosser will lead the newly-appointed Community Football Board, which will oversee all levels of football under the League competition – specifically, the 270 metropolitan and country clubs across the state.

The Board, chaired by SA Football Commissioner David Shipway, was established this month after an 18-month review to determine the best governance model for the state’s Affiliated Leagues.

SANFL Executive Commissioner Leigh Whicker said the establishment of the Board – and Rosser’s appointment as General Manager – has been one of the most significant decisions made by the League.

“Rural and regional Australia in particular is really struggling with the ongoing drought and we feel the League has a responsibility to continue to provide resources to these areas so football leagues and clubs across the state can survive and indeed, prosper in the future,” he said.

“In appointing one of our current senior executives in Glen, we have appointed a very well-liked and respected General Manager who has already had much to do with the Affiliated Leagues in his current role as well as his former role as Norwood Football Club CEO.

“With his experience, Glen can step straight into the role and make a difference.”

Rosser played with Port Elliot in the Great Southern Football League for eight years in junior and senior football before launching into a 12-season football career with Norwood Football Club in the 1970s.

He served as Redlegs CEO in the early 1990s and has been the SANFL’s General Manager - State League Competition for the past nine years.

Rosser today welcomed the new position: ‘’Community clubs play an integral role in fostering and perpetuating our great game,” he said.

“I look forward with enthusiasm and commitment to work closely with the new Board and Affiliated Leagues to secure a bright future for metropolitan and country football.”

Community Football Board chairman David Shipway said Rosser’s country football background and knowledge of the game would be invaluable to the Board.

“Community football faces some large challenges in the future and the appointment of Glen by the SANFL is a most positive and tangible move to meet those challenges head-on,” he said.

“The new structure is not a short-term arrangement - the SANFL has indicated its long-term support of this new department and will continue to assist with major back-up funding.

“I am personally delighted that the role played by Community Football has been recognised at the highest level.”

Under the SANFL’s restructure, the Partnerships & Strategy Department will assume responsibility for the League competition match program from 2010, while a new General Manager – State League Competition will be sought shortly.

Rosser and the Board’s first role will be to develop a strategic plan for community football across the state.

The first official Community Football Board meeting will be held before Christmas.