Michael Sholly steps down after 12 years as VAFA CEO

Victorian Amateur Football Association President, Tim Nelson, has announced Michael Sholly will step down after 12 years as Chief Executive Officer.

Michael will depart in June next year to give the Association time to appoint his successor and allow for a transition period.

Mr Nelson said Michael has been a driving force behind the success of the VAFA as Victoria’s leading community sporting competition.

“Michael has been a visionary and courageous leader, steering the VAFA through a period of significant growth and change,” Nelson said.

“His achievements, leadership and impact on the competition and its members over the past 12 years has been substantive.

“Michael has ensured the VAFA is in a position of strength and well placed for future innovation and growth as we look toward 2020 and beyond.”

“Michael has a great passion for the VAFA, its values and the community. The Board and VAFA community offer Michael our congratulations on job well done and best wishes for the next phase of his career post June.”

Mr Nelson said the key highlights of the Sholly era included:

• Completed a review of the Board and governance of the VAFA. Reduced the number of Directors from 16 down to 11 including two board appointments.
• The driver behind the implementation of the VAFA women’s competition commencing in 2017 with 40 teams; the largest women’s football competition in Australia.
• Acquired the largest state funding for a community football oval of $3.1m alongside another $2.3m of funding from various partners.
• Stabilising the VAFA financially, returning with 10 consecutive surpluses.
• Growing participation by introducing a Thirds senior competition.
• Increased Grand Final attendance by relocating the William Buck Premier Grand Final to IKON Park, Carlton.
• In 2005, he initiated and led the VAFA’s first and then ensuing tours to Ireland, as well as the ground breaking tour of South Africa in 2009.
• Introduced the Big V Club for past representative players, a Woodrow Medal Presentation Night and a Grand Final Eve Lunch.
• Re-branded all the senior sections from A – G to Premier, Premier B and C and Divisions 1 – 4.
• Reaching and maintaining our position as the number one representative football team in metropolitan Melbourne.

Mr Sholly said it has been a privilege to be the Chief Executive Officer of such a respected organisation.

“I look back on my 12 years as the Chief Executive Officer of the VAFA with pride, knowing that I have contributed to the growth and stability,” he said.

“This includes opening the VAFA to international touring, increasing participation by adding a Thirds competition and stabilising the organisation financially.”

“Next year a new facility at Sportscover Arena will be built which will house new administration offices for the staff, a social facility for the volunteers and supporters and change rooms for the players. The oval will be totally reconstructed and all will be ready in the 2018 season.

“The VAFA will commence a women’s competition in 2017. It is anticipated we will field up to 40 teams, making it the largest senior women’s football competition in Australia and an increase in VAFA participation of 17%. This will only expand in future years as our junior girls develop.

“It is time for a new leader to grasp these opportunities and lead the VAFA through the next phase.

“I could not have achieved all of this without the support of the Board, staff, clubs and members of the VAFA. The reputation the VAFA enjoys throughout the football and sporting community has made my job an incredible experience.”

A search for a new CEO will commence in the New Year.

The VAFA thanks Michael for his contribution as CEO over the past 12 years and wish him, his wife Fiona and three daughters Matilda, Eliza and Victoria every success into the future.