VAFA Statement: Shona MacInnes

The VAFA announces that our General Manager of Business & Projects, Shona MacInnes, has resigned.

Shona has made a significant contribution to the VAFA during her time with us.

Shona’s passion for community football began at the Melbourne University where she was involved with University Reds FC (now the Fitzroy FC) and University Blues FC, after which she spent time on the Board of the Melbourne University Football Club. She was President of the Kew Junior Football Club where she encouraged young girls to play football. It was gratifying for her to see the Kew Football Club’s women play off in our William Buck Women’s Premier Grand Final this year.

Shona joined the VAFA in October 2016 as the Women’s Football Development Officer, tasked with setting up a VAFA’s Women’s Football Competition.

The VAFA women’s program became the largest women’s Australian Rules Football competition in the country in 2017, its inaugural year. Our clubs’ readiness to be involved and Shona’s ability to work hand in hand with them were key factors in achieving this outcome.

Shona ensured that in the first year the VAFA women notched up milestones comparable to their male counterparts. She established the VAFA women’s Representative program which saw our women wear the iconic Big V jumper successfully against the Ballarat Goldfields. In a first for any league, in 2018, she initiated both men’s and women’s representative teams touring together to Adelaide to represent the VAFA.

In 2019 she took on the role of General Manager of Business & Projects, combined with her women’s football role.

Over the last three years Shona’s interest in governance saw her become the driving force behind the development of a new VAFA Constitution which will go to the members for adoption this year.

Shona’s strong interpersonal skills saw her develop close relationships with our sponsors, suppliers and community partners. Amongst her other achievements she contributed to the financial stability of the VAFA by significantly reducing club debt, overseeing the engagement of apparel suppliers and payment processes, automation of the on-line store and was involved in negotiations with RSN.

Shona’s interest in VAFA history has seen her assemble and oversee the current Heritage Working Party who have sorted and filed the large collection of VAFA memorabilia.

Her achievements as a sporting administrator, advocate and role model for women saw her last year being awarded the inaugural AFLW Women’s Community Football Ambassador for Victoria for her services to Women’s Football.

Separate to Shona’s achievements, the VAFA wishes to acknowledge the recent article by Mr George Voyage in the Amateur Footballer journal titled ‘A Celebration of Women’s Footy’. This article did not recognise Ms MacInnes’ pivotal role in the establishment and consolidation of the VAFA Women’s competition. Mr Voyage regrets this oversight and wishes to acknowledge this.

The outstanding work, acumen and drive of Shona has been instrumental to the competition’s growth and success.

Shona’s involvement across many decades with the VAFA, her propensity for fairness and equality, her contribution to and knowledge of our competition make her a significant VAFA woman who will be missed.