By RUSSELL BENNETT
NEW AFL South East Commission general manager Jeremy Bourke began his new role earlier this week, and is currently based at Casey Fields where he will soon be joined by two football development managers – Ben O’Brien and Michael Roberts.
Bourke recently told the News that the role of the two development managers would be to closely examine both game and local club development.
Bourke said he – and AFL South East – would provide help to struggling clubs in need, and encouraged them to look at their stronger competitors and clubs in other leagues for motivation.
“Our resources have always been focused on game development, but for the first time we’re turning that around and really looking at our clubs,” Bourke said.
“We think their development and the internal structure of them is just as important as ensuring we get players through our elite pathways.”
Bourke has most recently served as the CEO of the Northern Football League (NFL) and has also previously worked in football operations with the Amateurs (VAFA).
He played a vital role in helping transform the public perception of the NFL from what some deemed to be ‘a thug’s league’ into a professional outfit.
He can’t wait to start work in one of Australia’s, and football’s, biggest growth corridors.
“The south east appealed to me because I live close to the region, but the main attraction was the strategic focus,” he said.
“I see an opportunity to drive the direction of the game and the development of it.
“Taking a local focus on local football is something I’m really passionate about.
“I have no desire to work in the domain of AFL – I love local footy.”
Bourke said his first goal was to “come in, sit down and talk with our stakeholders and do a situational analysis on football in the region”.
Negotiations have started between the commission and AFL Victoria on the development of a long-term local sporting hub, with a major announcement expected in the New Year. The uptake from clubs to the commission has already proven to be highly successful, with the Frankston and District Junior Football League (FDJFL) and its member clubs signing on, as well as clubs from the PCN Alliance and Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League (MPJFL).
