Former Richmond best and fairest winner Daniel Jackson appointed Adelaide Crows leadership development manager for 2020
He played 156 games for Richmond across 10 seasons, and now Daniel Jackson will begin the next phase of his AFL career as leadership development manager at Adelaide.
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Former Richmond hardman Daniel Jackson will join Adelaide as leadership development manager for 2020.
The Crows made the announcement on Thursday, ending speculation as to who would step into what was previously described as a new ‘head of leadership and culture’ position, which was recommended to be created following the club’s external review of its football department in October.
Jackson, 33, played 156 games for the Tigers between 2004 and 2014, winning the club’s Jack Dyer Medal for best and fairest player in 2013.
Reporting to Crows’ head of football Adam Kelly, Jackson – who has a Masters of Science, Performance Psychology – will oversee and facilitate leadership development and training for players across Adelaide’s AFL, AFLW and SANFL teams, as well as football department staff.
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“Dan is a highly-motivated individual with a diverse and relevant background working with organisations both here in Australia and abroad,” Kelly said.
“He is held in high regard by everyone we have spoken to within the AFL industry, as well as his corporate clients, for his ability to coach individuals on their leadership capability and traits.
“The way in which he can support leaders in bringing together teams of people to optimise performance is also important.
“He will be a valuable resource and support for all of our leaders in the football department and broader club.”
A statement on the club’s website stated Jackson’s appointment followed the Crows announcing they would create a full-time leadership position after completing a “thorough review of the football department at the end of last season”.
The findings of that review, headed by Hawthorn great Jason Dunstall, also prompted Adelaide to axe its head of football Brett Burton and assistant coach Scott Camporeale.
Former Adelaide 36er Rupert Sapwell – who withdrew his candidacy for the position in January – and ex-Redback and current Melbourne Renegades coach Michael Klinger were previously considered frontrunners for the leadership role.
Jackson, who is working in London at present, told the club’s website he is “looking forward to starting with the Crows in March”.
“After spending the last five plus years overseas working in and around high-performing teams and organisations, I have seen time and time again that sustainable success is built on putting good people in an environment where they can flourish,” he said.
“Having met with Nicksy and Adam, as well as speaking to a number of others at the club, I am very confident that Adelaide is on the right path and I am really excited to play a part in that journey.”
Jackson retired from AFL in 2014, having spent six years in the Tigers’ leadership group as a player, and claiming the inaugural Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award for his commitment to the mental health and wellbeing of young people.