FFA board candidates Shane Healy and John Marinopoulos declare their priorities in election bid
Two of the candidates seeking election to the Football Federation Australia board have outlined their priorities, pledging to focus on uniting football.
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Australian football needs stability and unity at its helm to move forward, two of the candidates to join the board of Football Federation Australia have declared.
Expanding the game’s revenue streams is one of the key priorities facing the game’s leaders, a poll of candidates to join the board by The Daily Telegraph has revealed ahead of a vote to choose two new directors today.
Thursday’s FFA annual general meeting will establish its leadership for a future without control of the A-league, with two new directors to be voted in at the AGM and the choice of a new CEO due within days.
After polling all of the then-11 candidates to join the post Lowy family board last year to map out their plans for the game, The Daily Telegraph sought to repeat the exercise with the four candidates this year.
Two – corporate governance consultant Robyn FitzRoy and Migration Council CEO Carla Wilshire – declined to answer the questions.
But Shane Healy, media director of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, and corporate strategy adviser John Marinopoulos outlined what they see as the game’s biggest priorities, as well as their attributes to hold its positions of leadership.
Healy, previously general manager of radio station 3AW, emphasised the need for “stable and competent leadership” after “a tumultuous period” for the game, and praised chairman Chris Nikou’s first year in office.
Citing his media experience as key to his candidacy, Healy promised to prioritise “the key areas of rights management and negotiations and the sourcing of sponsors and revenue”, where he said “there appears to be a gap (on the board) in those vital areas at present”.
Meanwhile, Marinopoulos promised to address the question “how we make (football) more cost effective for players (and) how can we deliver the facilities and infrastructure at all levels and in all locations – city and regions – for men and women”.
Pointing to his experience “broadening revenue bases for governments and private sectors”, he identified the “unity of the game” as his main priority after working with Perth Glory to write its strategy document in the wake of the salary cap scandal.
Two of the four candidates will be elected to the board, to replace former directors Crispin Murray and Kelly Bayer Rosmarin, and in theory will have a vote on the selection of a new CEO to succeed David Gallop.
The appointment is expected within the next 10 days, after world athletes union boss Brendan Schwab and City Group executive James Johnson were the last two names left on the short list.
However it’s anticipated the new directors are unlikely to have a significant say based on normal corporate practice, given the selection process has been ongoing for several months.
Chairman Chris Nikou is expected to be re-elected unopposed, with fellow directors Joseph Carrozzi and Remo Nogarotto confirming they have no intention of standing against Nikou.
CANDIDATES’ VIEWS
Shane Healy
Media director of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne
What is the biggest priority you would want to address as an FFA director?
To ensure stability moving forward. Football in Australia has been through quite a tumultuous period and once the Board is finalised and new executive management is in place, the sport will be ready to take some long overdue steps forward. Stability at the Board level will be utterly crucial to take on the many challenges that need to be addressed. I’m impressed with the manner in which Chris Nikou has led the sport into this new era through at times some pretty heavy traffic.
To build positive momentum behind the reform process and strategic initiatives, the FFA requires stable and competent leadership. I will look to help in achieving that because a stable Board environment will go a long way to ultimately delivering success for Australian football.
Among the many challenges ahead are the renewal of FFA Executive Management and leadership, the 2023 FIFA Womens’ World Cup bid, the initiative to drive Womens football, the National Teams Review and the Elite Pathways Review and the separation of the professional game from the FFA.
What differentiates you from other candidates?
My unique skills set and media experience are the main differentiating factor from other candidates. The Chairman has identified that and knows what’s required on the board to best take on the challenges ahead. My 25 years of media experience bring a unique commercial acumen which is vital for the board at the present time. For the FFA to achieve its future potential, it will need the resources to match its ambition. I will bring both a strong professional network and valuable commercial experience which will be crucial assets in the coming years.
What in your experience and skillet makes you the right person to help take football forward?
If I am fortunate enough to be elected to the FFA Board, I am one member of what must be a stable and solidified team. In assessing my suitability for the Board and where my unique skillet adds value, I look to the key areas of rights management and negotiations and the sourcing of sponsors and revenue. That combined with my broadcast experience, talent management experience and media operational experience hopefully make me an attractive choice as one of the two new members of the FFA Board, as there appears to be a gap in those vital areas at present.
What would you want your legacy at FFA to be?
No individual legacy really – simply someone who played their part in a strong team that took the sport forward to new heights. I am emphatic that board stability and competent leadership are keys and I’d hope to play my important part in achieving that.
This would hopefully result in football’s revenue base growing, our elite development pathways for both females and males driving to world class standards, grassroots participation continuing to grow and the Matilda’s and Socceroos building on their already formidable brands.
John Marinopoulos
Principal, Value Advisory Partners
What is the biggest priority you would want to address as an FFA director?
The unity of the game. This is imperative as it supports the sustained growth of the game at the club and participant levels: how we make it more cost effective for players; how can we deliver the facilities and infrastructure at all levels and in all locations – city and regions – for men and women. To do this we need to get the funding model right. This has a major impact for football.
What differentiates you from other candidates?
Being able to develop strategies that axan be implemented by gathering and interpreting the evidence and using the data to deliver the appropriate changes quickly.
Knowing what creates value and benefits for all stakeholders, including where that value is being taken away, and how the value can be realised to the benefit of all the football family and our communities.
Significant financial capability and experience from international boards as head of finance and risk committees as well as experience delivering these capabilities for companies.
Experience in recasting organisations post acquisition, merger and demerger.
Over 15 years broadening revenue bases for governments and the private sector and changing funding models to realise greater value and enhanced benefits for communities.
What in your experience and skillet makes you the right person to help take football forward?
At a big picture level, expanding the funding pathways for infrastructure in many places in Australia; At the coal face, working with Perth Glory to help them create and implement a winning business and change management strategy. A commitment to governance that is fair, transparent and equitable for all stakeholders in football.
What would you want your legacy at FFA to be?
To be part of an aspirational leadership group that resets the direction and culture of the game to fulfil its potential. This includes having made a meaningful contribution to the growth and financial sustainability of football in Australia by working with all the games stakeholders, including in particular all levels of government, to leverage the sports assets — clubs, participants and stakeholders — to help build communities in our cities and regional areas.