Jordan Doyle has been appointed the new Riddell District Football Netball League operations manager.
Doyle, who spent four years working at AFL Victoria as the Western Jets’ football operations co-ordinator, started in the role late last month.
He takes over from Steve Williams who had two years in the role.
Doyle said he was excited by the challenge ahead. “Rod [Ward] has given me an opportunity and it’s an exciting one to be involved with,” he said. “I’ve been involved in club [environment] and now I’m getting the opportunity to manage a league.
“I’m starting fresh and I’ve got no history with the league. They don’t know me and I don’t know them, so there’s no preconceived ideas and opinions about people, so it’s exciting.”
Doyle said he hoped to bring some of his experiences from the various clubs he’s been involved in to his new job. As well as working for the Western Jets, Doyle played and coached football at Westbourne Grammarians and also played football at Spotswood and Williamstown CYMS.
He’s also coached and been a committee member at Williamstown Cricket Club.
He has a sport and recreation management and bachelor of business degree as well as having completed a masters of business administration.
“It’s a great opportunity to work with clubs and build relationships with them,” Doyle said.
“It’s about trying to understand what the clubs want … at times I’ll put my club hat on to understand what the clubs are thinking.”
Doyle said continuing the growth of the league at senior and junior level was something he was keen to continue. He said the league was starting to become a destination league.
AFL Goldfields regional general manager Rod Ward said he was excited about the appointment of Doyle.
“Jordan has quality experience in football operations in the TAC Cup with the Western Jets and his experience at such a prominent level in football with AFL Victoria will make him a great asset to work with and assist clubs and their members in the RDFNL.”
Ward thanked Williams for his work over the past two years. Williams will finish up on December 15.
In other AFL Goldfields staff appointments, Shane Anwyl is the new Ballarat Football Netball League operations manager and Mitch Tinning will take on the same role in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League.