SANFL football general manager Adam Kelly appointed Crows’ new head of football
SANFL football general manager Adam Kelly has been appointed as Adelaide Crows’ new head of football.
AFL
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Adam Kelly has won the race to be Adelaide Football Club’s new head of football.
He replaces axed Brett Burton in a major overhaul of the club’s football operations following consecutive years without finals.
Kelly, 45, has extensive leadership, strategic and operational management experience and has spent the past five years as football general manager at the SANFL.
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He had previously served as chief executive of the WAFL club East Fremantle as well as being chief executive of Country Racing Victoria’s Murray Mallee Racing.
The Crows, who have a new coach in Matthew Nicks after Don Pyke’s resignation, say Kelly will be part of the club’s executive management team and oversee all aspects of the club’s football operations.
He will start his new role s early in the New Year.
Crows chief executive Andrew Fagan said Kelly was the standout candidate after a lengthy recruitment process.
It is understood Adelaide had made a strong pitch to lure West Coast football general manager Craig Vozzo to the club but he rejected its advances.
“Adam is a values driven leader who has clearly demonstrated that he can positively influence large teams of people in both a club and governing body environment, which was critically important to us,” Fagan said.
“While undertaking our due diligence, it was evident he takes an organisation-first approach to decision making and also has a deep understanding of the necessary components required to succeed in this role.
“We were also impressed with his long-term commitment to learning and personal development, which he has demonstrated through the completion of a Master of Business Administration and attendance at Harvard University.
“He has also undertaken AFL-specific education such as football operations and list management, along with executive leadership programs.
“Importantly, we feel his combination of personal qualities, skills, qualifications and experiences are well suited to the football program and environment we are developing under a new senior coach.”
Kelly told the club’s website that it was a privilege to be appointed to the role.
“The further I went into the recruitment process the eagerness grew as a result of being able to interact with numerous people, all of whom impressed me with their passion, drive and desire to take the club forward,” he said.
“I am also looking forward with great anticipation to immersing myself in the club in the New Year, getting across all elements of the football program and starting to build relationships with my colleagues, as well as the players in our men’s and women’s teams.”