Matt Duldig
Adelaide,SA
Summary
I am a professional sports administrator with over 20 years’ experience working in the football industry. My current position is Executive General Manager Football at SANFL where I am responsible for leading a large and diverse team. I am calm and measured in my approach and committed to continuous learning. I have a passion for leading and developing high performing teams to achieve personal and organisation objectives. My key strength lies in my ability to form strong and meaningful relationships, both internally and externally, which ultimately results in the achievement of strategic objectives.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive General Manager Football
SANFL
02.2020 - Current
- Manage, lead and drive the strategic and operational management of the Football Department at SANFL that includes: Football Operations, Game Development, Infrastructure & Government Relations, Talent, Umpiring and Integrity.
- Manage relationships with key stakeholders, working closely and consulting with clubs and other key stakeholders to balance their legitimate competing demands and ensure the best outcomes for football.
- Ensure that the SANFL competition is managed with the highest degree of integrity, fairness, transparency and common sense.
- Lead the strategic direction of the SANFLs game development programs which includes the administration, promotion, funding, resourcing and development of participation programs, Inclusive programs and national AFL programs, ensuring continued growth.
- Manage and lead the team responsible for the SANFL Elite Programs, which identify, prepare, and develop talent, and provide appropriate career pathways.
- Oversee the team responsible for Community Football, and work with the Community Football Board to ensure the strategic objectives and business plans for community football are achieved.
- Managing, from a football perspective, all aspects of the SANFLs relationships with key stakeholders, including the AFL, relevant government bodies and corporate partners.
- Manage SANFLs involvement in Gather Round and lead the organisation in delivering agreed objectives
Head of Community Football & Game Development
SANFL
11.2018 - 02.2020
- Manage and lead the Community Football Committee in developing and implementing the strategic plan for Community Football
- Set and achieve participation targets for Club Football, Auskick, Female Football and other growth areas
- Work closely with SANFL Integrity Officer to ensure Community Football is conducted with the upmost integrity, particularly in relation to illicit drugs and player payments
- Ensure there is opportunity for all South Australians to participate in Australian Rules Football and that there is a strong and clear viable pathways for talented players through Community Football
- Developed and managed a re-structure of country football that has created a full-time position to support and oversee football within across Regional South Australia
- Successful management of the Adelaide Footy League affiliation which has resulted in significant positive outcomes for the organisation
- Establishment of the APY League Board and successful reinstatement of the League
Community Football Manager
SANFL
09.2015 - 11.2018
- Primarily responsible for the development of Community Football across South Australia which includes all Clubs and Leagues outside of the SANFL League Competition and SANFL Juniors as well as the Management of all Game Development Programs and the delivery of those programs through the metropolitan and country field staff
- The direct management of six staff members who are responsible for Club Development, Facility Development, Representative Football, Community Promotions and Events, PHQ, Rules and Regulations, Indigenous Programs, Growth Programs (Auskick, Multicultural, Schools, Auskick and Female) and Program Delivery in the Community
- A key role is stakeholder management with 26 Affiliated Leagues reporting in to the position as well as forming relationships with partners, the public sector and local councils
Football Operations Manager - State League
SANFL
12.2009 - 08.2015
- Management of the SANFL State League Competition
- Manage the Broadcast Schedule, filming, coding and match day requirements
- Manage SANFL Tribunal Hearings including the Match Review Panel
- Coordinate and organise Grand Final Day & SANFL Finals Series
- Manage the Rule and Regulations governing the SANFL
Junior Development Officer
Adelaide Football Club
01.2005 - 12.2009
- Running the junior development program - planning, developing, implementing, communicating and marketing
- Relationship maintenance and building - Liaise with schools, staff members, sponsors, players.
- Ran educational presentations at every primary school in South Australia over a 24-month period
Education
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION - SPORT
Torrens University
08-2021
BACHELOR OF APPLIED SCIENCE - RECREATION PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
University of South Australia
01.2005
CERTIFICATE II - SPORT & RECREATION
Tafe SA
01.2002
SACE COMPLETION -
Millicent High School
01.2001
Skills
- Strong stakeholder management
- Highly motivated
- Strong communication skills
- Commercial capabilities
- Change manager
- High emotional intelligence
- Financial management
- People management
Accomplishments
- Managed the competitive balance review submission and discussions with the AFL, AFL Clubs and SANFL Clubs. This resulted in key regulation changes, greater investment into football in SA and improved stakeholder relations.
- Delivered strategic reviews of the Player Talent Pathway and Umpire Pathway.
- Led SANFLs involvement in Gather Round playing a pivotal role in all Community and Game Development activities.
- Oversaw and delivered on growth initiatives in the women and girls talent pathway.
- Managed the introduction of state-wide player registration fee and a re-structure of country football
- Achieved record participation in Auskick and and overall participation while driving close alignment with the AFL.
Certification
- Aleda Connect Program Graduate - 2024 / 2025
- Member of the AFL Community Concussion Working Group
- Chair, South Australian Football Facilities Fund
- Chair, SANFL Gather Round Committee
- Executive member of the SA Football Commission
References
References are available upon request.
Timeline
Executive General Manager Football
SANFL
02.2020 - Current
Head of Community Football & Game Development
SANFL
11.2018 - 02.2020
Community Football Manager
SANFL
09.2015 - 11.2018
Football Operations Manager - State League
SANFL
12.2009 - 08.2015
Junior Development Officer
Adelaide Football Club
01.2005 - 12.2009
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION - SPORT
Torrens University
BACHELOR OF APPLIED SCIENCE - RECREATION PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
University of South Australia
CERTIFICATE II - SPORT & RECREATION
Tafe SA
SACE COMPLETION -
Millicent High School
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