MICHAEL HAZELL ELECTED NEW VAFA PRESIDENT

The Victorian Amateur Football Association Annual General Meeting was held last night at Caulfield Racecourse with the VAFA Board Meeting held immediately afterward confirming the election of Michael Hazell as the new President of the Association. 
Bruno Conti resigned his position as President and Chairman but will remain on the Board for the completion of his elected term. Mr Conti nominated Vice President Michael Hazell as his replacement and Mr Hazell was elected unopposed. 
The meeting also saw the resignations of David Scott, Bruce McTaggart and Luke Beveridge from their positions on the Board after 29, 16 and 2 years of service respectively. 
Mr Hazell was first elected to the VAFA Board in 2008 and was elected as Vice President in 2012 after the resignation of Tim Merrett in June. 
After spending four years in the VFA/VFL, Mr Hazell moved to the VAFA in 1996 where he played and coached for thirteen seasons. He commenced his association with the VAFA with Salesian Old Boys Football Club (now St Mary’s Salesian), where he played in a senior premiership in 1996 (Division 2).
He went on to play at Old Melburnians and St Bedes / Mentone Tigers, where he won senior premierships in B Section (2002) and A Section (2008) respectively.
Hazell has also represented the VAFA in state football and has coached senior football at Salesian Old Boys Football Club, in addition to serving on its committee. 
Michael Hazell is a founder and a director of Melbourne commercial law firm Kelly Hazell Quill Lawyers. He also sits on the AFL Players Association’s Accredited Agents Board.
At the same board meeting Mr Hazell nominated Tim Nelson to become Vice President of the Association and he was elected unopposed.
Mr Nelson is a former four time Old Paradians premiership player and was first appointed to the to the Board in 2010 before being elected at this year’s members meeting in June. 
In other Board news, Treasurer David Scott – a Board Member for 29 years – resigned from his position after giving his last financial report at the AGM. 
Mr Scott was also given a warm round of applause for his 29 years of service to the Association. Mr Scott was delighted to announce that the VAFA is in good financial health announcing a budget surplus for the 2012 season. Mr Scott also served as the President of the VAFA for a three year period.
Another former President and long time Board Member of the Association, Bruce McTaggart also resigned last from the Bord last night. Mr McTaggart served on the Board for 16 years, regularly chairing sub-committees. He also spent significant time as Vice President and Chairman before being elected President for three years in 2004. 
Luke Beveridge’s increased work commitments as an assistant coach at Hawthorn meant he had to resign his position on the Board after two years of service. 
Anthony Amad was elected unopposed for another term serving on the VAFA board and Justin Toohey was also elected to the Board unopposed. 
Mr Amad has been a Board Member since 2006 whilst Mr Toohey was appointed to the Board in 2010. 
The vacated positions on the board have been filled as Adam Kirkwood-Scott and Phil De Young were elected unopposed to the Board. 
The changes to the Board leave two Board appointed positions available leading into the 2013 season.
Below is an online version of the Annual Report for 2012.