WRFL: Ritchie Hinton appointed as new league chief executive

A qualified lawyer with experience in several sports has been appointed as the WRFL’s new boss. Here’s why he stood out.

Ritchie Hinton has has been as the WRFL's new chief executive. Photo: Supplied.

A new era is officially set to start for the Western Region Football League (WRFL) next month.

The competition has announced Ritchie Hinton as its new chief executive as he prepares to start on November 7.

Hinton will replace Matthew Duck who has departed the competition to take up a role with Athletics Victoria.

The new league boss is a qualified lawyer and has worked across a number of sports including baseball, cricket, table tennis and soccer since he moved into Melbourne’s western suburbs from the UK.

“I am really excited to be joining the WRFL to lead such an important community sports organisation in the west,” Hinton said.

“Our focus will be to provide as many opportunities as possible for people to play football and netball in the Western Suburbs and help our clubs be the best they can be.”

In a statement, the league said Hinton “has a passion for using sport as a tool for social cohesion and improving physical and mental health outcomes for its participants”.

Ritchie Hinton has been as the WRFL's new chief executive. Photo: Supplied.

“Ritchie brings significant management experience and leadership skills to the role, as well as a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges of grassroots sports participation across a range of sports,” the statement said.

Hinton’s strategic and commercial development experience played a key role in his appointment according to league president Meredith Angwin.

“The WRFL Board is delighted to welcome Ritchie as the new CEO of our league. We look forward to introducing him to our community and sponsors,” she said.

“Ritchie brings expertise and demonstrated capability to develop grassroot sports organisations and work with clubs, participants, commercial and government stakeholders to grow deep partnerships.

“Ritchie’s experience will complement our high performing WRFL HQ team who run our football and netball league operations, work with our clubs to grow participation and manage our digital and social media presence with extensive reach across the west.”