New Northern Football Netball League CEO Martin Stillman discusses his plan for competition
New Northern Football Netball League Martin Stillman isn’t shying away from his ambition to grow the league into the biggest and best in Victoria – if it isn’t already.
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New Northern league boss Martin Stillman believes his competition can continue to grow and become the best football league in the state.
Stillman was appointed Northern Football Netball League CEO late last year and had his first day on the job on Monday.
He takes the reins from Peter McDougall, who stood down after almost a decade in the top job, helping transform the league into a community powerhouse.
Stillman brings a wealth of experience to the job have previously been VFL general manager, Calder Cannons regional manager, Australian Motor Sport Foundation CEO, Tennis Victoria program manager, Little Athletics Australia CEO and Volleyball Victoria general manager.
He was most recently football director at Southern league club Doveton.
The chance to lead a major community sporting organisation again was too good an opportunity to miss.
“I’m really excited by the opportunity to lead the Northern Football Netball League, the competition is in a great place, and I’m looking forward to continuing the good work and legacy left by Peter and Scott and the board,” he said.
“My passion is Aussie Rules football and obviously working back in football and netball was always an ambition to finish my career.
“I worked in football for 20 years and now having 15 years working in other sports I’m delighted to be back in the sport I have a real passion about.
“I had four great years at Doveton in the Southern league and coached and played in various other leagues.
“All my focus is on the Northern Football Netball League and one of the attractions was the blank canvas to build relationships from scratch.
“I think it’s advantageous to come in without any alliances and it’s exciting to meet people for the first time and learn about the league, it’s history and culture.”
Having spent time playing and coaching in the Eastern, VAFA and Outer East, Stillman was excited by the Northern’s growing reputation as the biggest local football competition in the state.
The league was crowned AFL Victoria’s No. 1 league when it won the Community Championships in 2019.
Stillman said the existing flow of talent from the region to AFL ranks and the opportunity for expansion in some of Melbourne’s major growth corridors held the league in good stead.
“I’ve got no doubt we’ll continue to strive to promote ourselves as the best community league in Victoria,” he said.
“People will always have their biases but having been a part of a lot of leagues, it’s been really pleasing to hear family and friends – when I was appointed CEO – say what a strong competition it was, the talent coming through the region and also attracting former AFL and VFL players.
“The work that’s been done by the league in women’s footy has been fantastic and that’s another focus for us, to increase female participation, and netball is going from strength to strength.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the continued growth of the competition and understanding the opportunities to grow and enhance the league.
“If we work with our current clubs, from the top premier club to teams in Division 3, if we can share the love we can ensure we provide the best possible environment for players, coaches and community to enjoy football and netball in the region.”
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Having seen the growth and development of the league from afar, Stillman paid tribute to outgoing league boss McDougall.
“I worked with Peter at AFL Victoria, he wanted to close the door and work out with no fuss, but’s he’s done a phenomenal job,” he said.
“I know were the league was at when he walked in and the growth he was able to achieve was phenomenal, the league is financial secure, the clubs are financially secure, the leadership through the COVID years was fantastic.
“He should be really proud of his legacy and (league chairman) Scott Walker keeps reminding me I’ve got big shoes to fill, and he’s right.”
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