The Australian Football League (AFL) is on the verge of a landmark announcement. In short, Tom Harley will be brought on board to become the new Chief Operating Officer (COO), bolstering the organization’s recently announced leadership objectives. If confirmed, Harley will essentially be the chief deputy to Andrew Dillon, the recently installed captain of the AFL. While the official offer has not yet been signed, multiple sources tell us his appointment is all but official.
Andrew Dillon has made no secret about his eagerness to hire a COO to further strengthen the organizational structure. As part of this executive reshuffle announced on March 1, 2021, Tom Harley will assume this critical role. According to media accounts, Stuart Fox served as a robust placeholder for the role. Instead, he decided to remain at the Melbourne Cricket Club.
The AFL has recently made several strategic appointments, including Greg Swann, who was named executive general manager of football performance just one day before Harley’s expected announcement. Dillon emphasized the importance of these changes. He said, “The announcements made last week will carry further this momentum we’ve created, further position us for future success and keep our heads above water.”
In light of recent events, the AFL has gone and actually changed Laura Kane’s football operations job title. To increase operational efficiencies, they’ve broken it up into two distinct positions. Dillon celebrated Kane’s impact, specifically commending her incredible advocacy work these last three years at the AFL. He pointed out that with Greg in charge of football performance and Laura in charge of football operations, football is at the heart of their mission going forward.
Tom Harley’s background as a former player and senior Australian rules administrator may position him perfectly for this radical new job. His appointment is part of a larger strategy to continue building powerful and progressive leadership within the league. Dillon emphasized the phenomenal leaders at every level of the organization. He cited as an example Denise Bowden, who recently joined their Indigenous advisory council and is helping to make it function effectively.
The AFL’s Indigenous advisory council has received wide acclaim for its impact and work toward creating a more inclusive environment within the sport. Dillon was clear about the organization’s focus on being outwardly inclusive. That’s how we’re going to have more leaders and more voices across the organization,” he continued. Our commitment to inclusion has never wavered.
On policy development, the AFL just announced a very cool policy! Kids 14 and under can go free to chosen matches in rounds 16-19, and all Victorian matches in round 21. Dillon started this project to reach those younger audiences and families. This step is a huge step forward for inclusivity and accessibility in Australian rules football.
Tom Harley, looking forward to assuming his new post. He’ll be joining a dynamic team that’s focused on promoting new areas of growth and innovation for the league. His experience and strategic insight will be a tremendous asset toward achieving the AFL’s strategic goals in the future.
