Changes to USAFL Executive Board

Rob Oliver stepped aside as President, after two years in that position.  He has now taken on the role of Revo Coach. Tom Ellis also stepped down from his VP West position, to enable James Waddell (who is also from Denver) to take on the role of Member at Large.  Both Rob and Tom have served the League well over many years and USFooty is a better organisation for their dedication.

Rich Mann is our new President.  Many of you will have known Rich from the years he spent on the USAFL Board prior to returning to Australia.  He moved back to the US last year and lost no time getting involved again with the League.  It is Rich we have to thank for the great 2007 Nationals.

One of the striking changes in the League over the last two years has been the improved financial reporting and control and the professionalism bought to the Treasurer's position by Andrew Bednall. We are delighted that Andrew has agreed to stay on in his position as Treasurer. We thank our accountant Tamara Payne for her work in assisting AB.

Matt Jagger takes up his second term as Secretary - a thankless task.  He combines this with his role as Revo Manager (along with BJ Gambaro).  And never complains!

Rob Beyersdorf is now serving his second year as Vice President for the Eastern Region. The dedication he has shown to working with established clubs and  helping new clubs in his region has been inspirational.

Jim Martin has now been on the board for 150 years and every one of them special!  Perhaps it just seems that way. Jim is our Vice President for the Central Region and as well as taking responsibility and working with all clubs in that region, he is the man we turn to whenever a crisis looks like arising, has arisen or has attacked us full frontal.  His counsel has been invaluable over the years. 

The two new members of our board are Leigh Barnes and James Waddell.

Leigh is taking on the task of Vice President for the west and we are looking forward to some lively discussions as he represents the west, and works to ensure the growth of Aussie Rules in that region.

James has taken up the role of Member at Large from Rich Mann and we know that his expertise in sports management and his love of Aussie Rules will make him another valuable addition to the board.  Here is some background information on James:

James is the Membership Manager for the Downtown Denver Partnership. He is also President and veteran half-forward flanker of the Denver Bulldogs. He was a member of their 2006 runners-up team and their 2005 & 2007 championship teams.

James started playing football when he was 8 years old in Perth, Western Australia. Football and Baseball have been his passions and both sports have taken him all over Australia and now all over the world. James played WAFL with West Perth & East Perth and VFL with Williamstown. He also played National League baseball with the Perth Heat & Melbourne Monarchs and represented Australia on the National Baseball Team that went to the Olympics in Barcelona in 1992.

After retiring from football & baseball James took up coaching both sports and then became a Scout for the New York Mets. This led to travel to the US where he met his wife Amy, who is from Buffalo NY. James & Amy lived together in Melbourne for four years before moving to Denver in 2004.

We also wish to thank our Portfolio members who have shown real commitment and dedication to their roles. Like our Executive they spend many thankless hours working behind the scenes to ensure the growth of Aussie Rules in the US.

Paul “Plugger“ O'Keeffe - International Liaison
Brian Green - National Umpire Coach/Director
Kathryn Hogg - Women's Portfolio
Matt Muller - Webmaster
David Payne - Armed Forces Development
Denis Ryan - USFooty Kids Co-ordinator
Shane Frearson - Sponsorship Director
Matt Dainauski - Coaching Director
Kevin Smith - Media Relations.

- Office Manager
(1022)