AFL Tasmania Chief Executive Trisha Squires heads to Queensland

Among changes announced yesterday by the AFL as part of a major restructuring of its operations, AFL Tasmania Chief Executive, Trisha Squires is to relocate to become Head of the League in Queensland, with AFL Tasmania Public Affairs and Infrastructure Manager, Damian Gill appointed Head of AFL Tasmania.

With the AFL facing an expected $400 million loss of income this year due to COVID-19 and in anticipation of further income decline in 2021, the restructuring will see the abolition of state chief executive roles, to be replaced by state heads, with governance to come from AFL House in Melbourne. 

The change sees AFL state offices across NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and Northern Territory re-structured to focus more on community football, growth in participation and development of facilities. AFL General Manager - Game Development, Sam Graham will lead the team, reporting into Executive General Manager - Game Development, Andrew Dillon.

Squires began with AFL Tasmania in 2018, becoming the first female Chief Executive in AFL Tasmania’s history. She has since been a strong advocate for football in Tasmania, helping to grow the game across the state.

Tasmanian Minister for Sport and Recreation, Jane Howlett thanked Squires for the contribution she has made to football in the state, wishing her all the best on her new role with AFL Queensland.

Minister Howlett also congratulated Gill adding “I have no doubt that he will bring a high level of commitment and professionalism to the role", adding “the Tasmanian Government continues to be a strong support of football in the state, from grassroots level to the Tasmanian State League, and despite the challenges faced due to COVID-19, we remain committed to securing a Tasmanian AFL and AFLW team for the state and we will continue to work with the AFL and AFL Taskforce to make this happen in the future.

The change sees AFL state offices across NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and Northern Territory re-structured to focus more on community football, growth in participation and development of facilities. AFL General Manager - Game Development, Sam Graham will lead the team, reporting into Executive General Manager - Game Development, Andrew Dillon.

Explaining the state restructuring, AFL Chief Executive, Gillon McLachlan advised "community football at all levels will always remain a priority. Each State and Territory has different challenges and areas of focus, but a national model of co-ordinated programs with localised delivery will help each market grow the game and provide the necessary support to our community leagues and clubs.

“We are also committed to the $18 million investment into Victorian regional community football that we signalled last year.”

“We have built an outstanding team at the AFL. There will be great people who leave our organisation whose commitment and passion will leave a lasting legacy.

“The AFL and Club finances will continue to be significantly impacted beyond this season and we need to make sure we focus our energy and our resources on our new key priorities in order to re-build the industry’s financial strength and safeguard the game.”

New AFL State based leaders

• Head of AFL Victoria - Brad Scott
• Head of AFL Queensland - Trish Squires
• Head of AFL NSW/ACT - Tiffany Robertson
• Head of AFL Tasmania - Damian Gill
• Head of AFL NT - Stuart Totham.

Image: The new Head of AFL Queensland, Trish Squires.