VAFA to undertake Strategic Review – Dean Anderson appointed to lead process

The Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) today announced the commissioning of an independent Strategic Review of the Association. Consistent with our commitment of reviewing and refining the Association’s strategic objectives every four years.

The VAFA Board has appointed former AFL footballer and respected leadership and performance consultant Dean Anderson to lead the review and develop the VAFA strategy. This followed an extensive process. Dean was selected following interviews with three shortlisted organisations to perform the review. He has just concluded his fifth year as senior coach of Old Scotch Football Club’s women’s team, the Old Scotch Stars. Dean has extensive VAFA experience as a player and coach. Both in men’s and women’s football. His most recent corporate role was as CEO of Leading Teams. Prior to Leading Teams, Dean had 30 years’ experience in corporate / commercial banking. Additionally, Dean was a non- executive director at St Kilda FC for 10 years. Dean is now consulting to the corporate sector around leadership and strategy.

The review’s scope includes:

·       Review the current VAFA Strategic Plan.

·       Engage stakeholders including Clubs, management, the Board and any other relevant persons / organisations.

·       Make recommendations on the VAFA’s strategic priorities to the Board.

·       Provide observations on the capability of the Association to deliver on the identified strategic priorities.

VAFA President Paul Newton said the strategic review comes as the competition is facing a number of challenges but also entertaining significant opportunity.

“The rapid growth of the VAFA over the past decade has put a lot of strain on clubs, players, volunteers and supporters, as well as footballing and community facilities,” Mr Newton said.

“We are acutely aware of this and acknowledge that we need to continually improve. As part of our usual review of the season, we will examine our processes to help us unearth the necessary detail for our administrative team to operate VAFA women’s and men’s competitions at the highest of standards; standards our key stakeholders, including our Clubs, rightly expect.

“Separately, we are pleased to have attracted Dean Anderson to conduct our Strategic Review. Dean is a highly-credentialled and well-regarded leader in the sporting sector and we look forward to working with him over the coming weeks and months. Dean brings a wealth of experience in sport and the VAFA. He has been an AFL/VAFA player, a senior VAFA coach across multiple grades of both men and women and a passionate advocate for women’s football. Dean has also experienced playing and coaching in the lower grades of the competition. He brings an understanding of the challenges facing Divisional clubs.”  

Sarah Delbosc, VAFA Vice-President and Chair of the Football and Community Subcommittee, said women’s football will have particular focus in the Strategic Plan. 

“Over the past decade, courtesy of the vision, passion and commitment of clubs, volunteers, administrators, coaches, umpires and players, VAFA women’s football has grown to become the largest women’s community football competition in Australia,” Ms Delbosc said.

“We are proud of the way VAFA women’s football has evolved but acknowledge the need to continue to improve. We want to ensure the future success and growth of women’s amateur football in Victoria is sustainable and enjoyable for all involved.

“The Strategic Review will tie-in with our already-established VAFA Women’s Football 10-Year Anniversary Working Group, which is a strong collaborative exercise combining diverse voices from the women’s football community and helping shape the next chapter of our game.”

Dean Anderson said he is eagerly anticipating the project.

“Having been heavily involved in the VAFA as a senior women’s coach these past five years, I have seen first-hand both the issues and opportunities this great competition endures and enjoys. I look forward to lending my professional expertise and lived experience to the Strategic Review process and meeting and hearing from key VAFA stakeholders along the way.”

The VAFA Strategic Review will be carried out through October and November 2026, with a final report presented to the Board in early December ahead of its Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The VAFA Board and CEO will update the VAFA community on the review and report at the December AGM, as well as provide detail on how agreed strategic priorities and any operational recommendations will be implemented as we strive to provide the best possible administration of women’s and men’s football into the future.

Paul Newton – VAFA President

On behalf of the VAFA Board