AFLW boss Nicole Livingstone to step down after grand final

The hunt for a new general manager of women’s football is on, after AFLW boss Nicole Livingstone revealed Sunday’s grand final will be her last day in charge. Here’s why.

Nicole Livingstone is leaving the AFL.

In a meeting with club captains on Monday morning ahead of the league’s W Awards, the general manager of women’s football revealed that she will be departing league headquarters after seven seasons in the role.

Livingstone, an Olympian who represented Australia at three Games, will finish up after this Sunday’s AFL Women’s grand final at Ikon Park.

She said “the time feels right”.

Nicole Livingstone, right, pictured with Erin Phillips, will step down after this weekend’s AFLW grand final. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos

“When I sat with (former chief executive) Gill (McLachlan) and Steve Hocking and Andrew Dillon in 2017 before taking on this role, we spoke about aspirations for AFLW,” Livingstone said.

“We wanted a league that was pride of place in the Australian sporting landscape and was respected for what was being created.

“We wanted to create an opportunity for every one of our 18 clubs to experience what having an AFLW program would bring to their club; athletically, culturally and commercially. Most importantly I wanted opportunities for girls and women to play, coach, umpire, administer and even broadcast our game.

“Australian Football looks different from when I started. Women involved in all areas of our game is now normal and no longer a pleasant surprise.

“My support and advocacy for AFLW won’t change, and I’m looking forward to what the future of the competition brings. Thank you to Dills, Laura (Kane), everyone at the AFL for the opportunity to play a role in a sport that means so much to so many people.”

Livingstone – who also appears in the media as a swimming commentator, with the 2024 Paris Olympics looming – also thanked AFLW players.

“The ones before my time, the ones during, and the ones yet to come, your drive, your passion, your relentless push to make our competition the best it can be is something I have admired and respected. You are an inspiration to everyone,” she said.

Livingstone and Andrew Dillon earlier this year. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos

The hunt for a new general manager of women’s football will begin in coming weeks.

“Nicole has been not only an important person in our AFL team, but within the whole industry. She has been able to deliver and get exceptional outcomes for our AFLW competition, our clubs, our players and our fans, which has AFLW and women’s football in the strongest position it has ever been,” league chief executive Andrew Dillon said.

“When Nicole first joined the AFL, we had just completed one season with eight teams, a seven-game season and only one final, we had a groundswell of support and Nic turned that energy into a growing, sustainable and successful national women’s competition that we see today.

“Women and girls’ participation in Australian football has surged since the inception of AFLW. We now have more girls playing, coaching, umpiring and administrating our game and Nic has played a big part in that growth.

“On behalf of everyone at the AFL, we thank Nic for her leadership and her passionate advocacy for our AFLW competition and more broadly women’s footy. Nic leaves our code having made a lasting impact, we wish her all the best and we look forward to seeing what she does next.”

Livingstone revealed she started contemplating her next move mid-season.

Livingstone said her one major regret from her time at the helm was the premature end to the 2020 season due to Covid with no premier awarded.

“I wish, with the gift of hindsight and Covid, not having navigated through a global pandemic like Covid was, I wish there was a way to not have an asterisk in our history,” she said.

“But that’s now in the experience bank for somebody else, if that does occur again.

“Proudest moment was when we brought 18 teams in. We did a photo that had 18 representatives from men’s football and women’s football, and to have that moment and to know that this is what Australian football now looks like is my proudest moment.”

Livingstone said she backed the league to appoint her successor as “the best person for the job” regardless of their gender.

She plans to travel to Paris for next year’s Olympic Games as she plots her next move.

Originally published as AFLW boss Nicole Livingstone to step down after grand final