Greg Madigan appointed as new Head of AFL Victoria

The AFL has announced the appointment of Greg Madigan to the role of Head of AFL Victoria.

Madigan brings extensive commercial leadership experience to the role, having worked in a range of senior positions across the consumer product, education and technology sectors.

He joins from property management digital platform provider, Sorted Services.

Madigan also has a long association with Australian football having played 66 games in a nine-season career at the elite level with Hawthorn and Fremantle, including the Hawks’ 1989 premiership and has since gone on to be involved in community football as a participant, volunteer and parent.

As Head of AFL Victoria, Madigan will be responsible for leading community football, participation programs, partnerships and facilities in the football heartland state which in 2023 had more than 176,000 registered participants playing junior and senior club football, over 41,000 NAB AFL Auskickers, 12,000 coaches, 7,500 umpires and tens of thousands of volunteers involved in the game.

Welcoming Madigan to the role, AFL Executive General Manager Game Development, Rob Auld stated “I congratulate Greg on his appointment and look forward to working closely with him as he takes on the important role as Head of AFL Victoria, as part of the national Game Development leadership team.

“In his career to date, Greg has consistently demonstrated strengths in managing teams, including large and regionally located structures, advanced commercial acumen and business unit management.

“While Australian football in Victoria has rebounded strongly from a period of significant disruption through the pandemic years, with participation levels in 2023 eclipsing previous record levels from 2019, there are tremendous opportunities for the game to grow and prosper. We know there are areas of the game doing it tough and the AFL is committed to directing support for community football to where it’s needed most.

“Greg brings experience in managing stakeholders and growing businesses that puts him in a great position to work with the community football network and deliver on our strategic objective to have footy in every home.”

Excited about the opportunity and challenge ahead, Madigan added “this is an extremely exciting opportunity to have a positive impact on grassroots football, which is the foundation of the game and a huge part of Victorian communities.

“I am looking forward to working with the AFL Victoria team and stakeholders across community football, including clubs, leagues and associations, to ensure the game is getting the support it needs to thrive well into the future.”

Madigan will commence in the role on 13th November, replacing Ben Kavenagh, who recently departed the AFL.

Image: Greg Madigan, Credit: AFL Victoria.