EFNL 2022: Oakleigh Chargers talent manager Jy Bond appointed Eastern league CEO

Oakleigh Chargers talent manager Jy Bond will lead the Eastern league next season. He reveals what drew him to the role and more.

Oakleigh Chargers talent manager Jy Bond will soon leave his post to take on the leadership of Australia’s largest community football competition.

The 43-year-old was unveiled as the Eastern Football Netball League’s new chief executive officer on Tuesday, after four years at the NAB League outfit.

He’ll begin in the role on February 1, taking over from outgoing EFNL CEO Troy Swainston who took on the position in late 2018.

Bond said the league’s profile coupled with a connection to the eastern suburbs made the role an attractive prospect.

“It’s an excellent league – I’d argue it’s the strongest in Victorian metropolitan community football … with highly skilled senior divisions and junior programs along with netball,” he said.

“It’s a league I’m very familiar with, as a young kid I grew up in the eastern suburbs and supported the local teams, then was fortunate enough to play in it both at the junior and senior levels.

“And to work together with a board including Graham Halbish, Tim Finemore, Paul Barlow, Jo Allan, Kevin Smith and several more it’s an opportunity I’m grateful to have been given.”

Jy Bond during his time as AFL Tasmania talent manager. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

It’s been some journey for Bond, who has held positions as the national player development manager at Professional Footballers Australia working with the Socceroos and Matildas, before talent manager stints at AFL Tasmania and the Western Jets.

His professional sporting career began on Richmond’s supplementary list before moving to the US to try his luck as a punter in the NFL, signing with the Miami Dolphins and New York Giants and also playing in the now-defunct UFL for several years.

“I’ve been fortunate to have had experience in a number of high-performing leagues and different sports which allows me to translate that into the EFNL and I’m really excited about that,” he said.

Jy Bond, son of Richmond great Graeme Bond, spent time on the US football scene as a punter.

Bond takes on the role following Covid interruptions in two of the past three years of community sport.

But he’s confident sporting bodies are better equipped to handle the challenges of the pandemic moving forward.

“I think the AFL and community sport in general has had to navigate through that difficult time with Covid of the last few years, and NAB League was no different,” he said.

“I think now we’ve got the tools and understanding and the ability to be nimble and change if needed.

“We’ve seen the importance of community sport to our young athletes … we’ve been through it, we’re prepared and hopefully it doesn’t happen again but if it does, we certainly have the tools in readiness to get through it.”

The Oakleigh Chargers talent manager has overseen more than a combined 50 players drafted to AFL and AFLW clubs across his time at the NAB League club – a highlight across his four years in the role.

This year the Chargers had 10 land at AFL clubs led by George Wardlaw at No. 4 and Elijah Tsatas at No. 5 in the national draft, along with three in the AFLW with Jas Fleming at No. 2.

But Bond said the rewards have extended well beyond the elite level, citing a passion to see community football thrive.

“It’s been a great honour to be part of the NAB League and Chargers program,” he said.

“I’ll reflect on that in a few years and see what a great achievement it was being a part of so many young players’ journeys into the AFL and AFLW, and also into community football.

“I look at some of the former Chargers players who were unsuccessful at getting drafted and see them now playing great football in the EFNL, I look forward to getting out and watching them play again for their respective teams.”

EFNL chairman Graham Halbish said Bond was the “standout candidate” for the CEO position.

“Jy brings to the role a wealth of football and management expertise including an intimate knowledge of the league,” Halbish said in a league statement.

“We are delighted to offer him the opportunity to lead the league.”