A new commission will oversee “community-based” football in the Barwon region, the AFL has announced.
The nine-member AFL Barwon Region Commission would be one of 13 commissions “responsible for the strategic direction and planning of football across regional and rural Victoria”, the league said.
The AFL names the Barwon commission members as Craig Keating, John Wilkinson, Peter Kelly, Bob Hallett, Ian McTaggart, Richard Underwood, Greg Welsh, Dick Philpott and Andrew Wierzbowski.
Mr Keating said he was “extremely pleased” with the make up of the commission.
“This is the first step in putting in place a structure to ensure football in the region prospers but in time also develops a football administration structure that can provide outstanding support to the leagues, clubs and umpiring associations.”
The new governing body will work under the name AFL Barwon.
Mr Keating also named Football and Netball Geelong boss Lee Hartman as AFL Barwon’s inaugural region general manager.
“Lee’s role will be very strategic in nature. He will be responsible for the implementation and management of the direction of football in this region as established by the commission.”
Mr Hartman said he was “delighted” with his new role.
“I am looking forward to working with the various stakeholders in the Barwon region to grow the game.”
The commission said Mr Hartman would begin his new job “in the next few weeks”.
