Darren Flanigan joins VAFA Community and Club Team

The VAFA is delighted to announce the appointment of Darren Flanigan to the position of VAFA Community & Club Support Manager.

Darren brings a wealth of experience from his extensive career in the football industry. From 1994 through to 2021, Darren filled the following positions at AFL Victoria: Development Manager, Regional Talent Manager, Women’s Competition Manager and Female Talent Manager. More recently he was the Club Support Manager for the Essendon District Football League from 2022 to 2024. 

Darren’s recent involvement with VAFA includes acting as mentor to Old Scotch senior men’s coach Mark Gnatt, a successful collaboration that helped deliver the Cardinal’s 2024 premiership victory.

Many in the football community will remember Darren as a Geelong ruckman who played 130 games with the Cats from 1981-1991, followed by an additional 8 games with St Kilda in 1992.

VAFA CEO Jason Reddick stated, “We are thrilled to have secured the services of a person of Darren’s calibre to fill this important role. Darren’s vast experience and his relationship building nature will be a great asset to our Clubs and our competition.”

Darren Flanigan commented, “I’m excited to be appointed to this role with the VAFA and I’m really looking forward to getting to work to assist the Clubs in any way I can.”

Darren’s official start date will be January 20, 2025, but he is scheduled to attend the VAFA Annual General Meeting on Thursday, December 12, where he will be formally introduced to the members.