FNQ AFL stalwart Del Lythall retires from a 34 year footy career

When Del Lythall joined AFL Cairns, she was after a casual role and knew nothing of Aussie rules, now 34 years later the beloved administrator of AFL Cape York is retiring. Read Lythall’s legacy

IF there was a Brownlow for Aussie rules administration, then Del Lythall would have a baker’s dozen.

According to her colleagues, Lythall, 66, has been a key player in the growth and development of Aussie rules in FNQ’s rugby league heartland since she started work at AFL Cairns 34 years ago.

But Lythall said she never dreamt of the positive impact she would make.

Now about to retire from a career where she worked with AFL Cairns for 18 years then another 16 with AFL Cape York (AFLCY), Lythall said it was the people who drove her passion for the game.

“I started in 1989 working eight hours a week,” she said.

“In 2000 I moved to the position of secretary manager of AFL Cairns Juniors.”

Lythall transferred in 2006, to become the administration manager of AFLCY – while her roles involved lots of paperwork, it was the people, particularly the junior players, that made her love the job.

After 34 years of working in administrative roles with AFL Cairns and AFL Cape York, the highly respected Del Lythall is retiring. Picture: Alison Paterson

“For me it’s all about seeing the younger boys and girls,” she said.

“Watching them play, go to school, get jobs and go to university has been rewarding.”

Lythall said others highlights included visiting PNG in 1983 with a senior AFL Cairns team where they played in front of thousands of spectators.

“Many people had walked for days to view the match, they were everywhere including perched on netball goalposts, after the game the players had most of their gear removed by spectators for a souvenir,” she said.

“Earlier that year at the first AFL game in FNQ between Essendon and Brisbane on the final siren, a thunderstorm came through and it poured.

“In my time the managers have all been very good and I made many, many friends over the years.

“I’ll still volunteer as the AFLCY board secretary.”

After 34 years of working in administration positions with AFL Cairns and AFL Cape York, the highly respected Del Lythall (on left) is retiring and handballing her role to Mandy Carney, (right) the Business Operations Manager at QFL Cape York. Picture: Alison Paterson

AFLCY business operations manager Mandy Carney, who is taking over some of Lythall’s work, said she considered her an “incredible mentor,” and general manager Rick Hanlon, said Lythall had a hugely positive impact.

“Del’s contribution to the game and the community has been outstanding,” he said.

“She; s had a significant part of the growth for the organisation and in 2019 we named the Del Lythall Administration Building at AFLCY House for Girls in Redlynch in her honour.

“Del leaves a great legacy, you can’t measure the contribution she has made.”

Lythall has been recognised as a Life Member of Cairns and District Softball Association, has received a Softball Australia Service Award to accompany her Life Member awards of the AFL Cairns Juniors and of AFLCY.

Originally published as FNQ AFL stalwart Del Lythall retires from a 34 year footy career