Lindsay Tanner named as Chair of AFL Victoria

Following the death of former AFL Victoria Chair Ray Horsburgh in August, the Australian Football League has announced the appointment of Lindsay Tanner to the role.

Born in the regional Victorian town of Orbost, Tanner is highly accomplished in business and government and has a strong connection to AFL at both elite and grassroots levels, including having been President of the Essendon Football Club from 2015 to 2020.

In 2020 he was named chair of the governance committee set up to administer funds raised through the AFL’s Community Relief Fund for bushfire-affected communities and families.

During his distinguished career that has extended more than four decades, Tanner was Federal Finance Minister from 2007 to 2010 and in recent times has held numerous corporate directorships, including his current board position with Suncorp.

Tanner said he was honoured to be taking on an important leadership role as community football continues to bounce back in Victoria after a period of significant disruption caused by the COVID pandemic.

He stated “community football is the heartbeat of so many towns and communities in Victoria and AFL Victoria has a vitally important role to play in supporting the grassroots game across the state.

“The game has been challenged like never before in recent years so to see community football in Victoria rebound strongly in 2022, with participation getting back to around pre-COVID 2019 levels, is incredibly encouraging.

“But we know there are areas of the game needing greater support and AFL Victoria is committed to ensuring community football thrives.”

The AFL recently announced a major increase in community football investment for 2023 and beyond, with 10% of the game’s assessable revenue enshrined in funding the grassroots game, which will result in an immediate injection of $17 million increased investment in game development nationally in 2023 - a 35% increase on the current year.

Through this investment the AFL aims to take its support for the sport at its grassroots to a new level while addressing challenges and opportunities associated with engaging new participants, creating inclusive environments, making it easier to participate and volunteer.

AFL Victoria Board
Lindsay Tanner - Chair
Heidi Sutherland - Director
Jennie Loughnan - Director
Grant O’Riley - Director
Rob Auld - Director
Rosana Butler - Director
Kate Darroch - Company Secretary
Ben Kavenagh - Head of AFL Victoria 

Image: Lindsay Tanner. Credit: AFL Victoria.