Victoria Racing Club appoint Kylie Rogers as chief executive

AFL executive Kylie Rogers is set to leave the league to lead the Victoria Racing Club after being selected from “a list of high calibre candidates through an intensive process”.

Kylie Rogers is taking the reins at the Victoria Racing Club. Picture: Joel Strickland

AFL executive Kylie Rogers is set to leave the league to become the first female chief executive of the Victoria Racing Club.

One of the AFL’s high flyers will now be in charge of staging the Melbourne Cup Carnival and the famous Flemington racecourse.

Rogers will become just the 14th chief executive in the VRC’s 160 year history, replacing outgoing boss Steve Rosich who has held the role since 2020.

“The VRC is one of the world’s greatest sporting and cultural institutions, and it is an organisation I am extremely excited and honoured to be leading,’’ she said.

Rogers will become just the 14th chief executive in the VRC’s 160 year history. Picture: Aaron Francis

Rogers will take over the gig in September, with former Fremantle footy club chief executive Rosich to serve his final day on July 31, at the end of the racing season.

The AFL’s executive customer and commercial general manager, told colleagues at league headquarters on Monday afternoon.

Ms Rogers then visited Flemington to meet with VRC chair Neil Wilson.

“I love racing, and I look forward to working with Neil, the board, and the entire VRC team to elevate the club and the Flemington precinct into the future,’’ she said.

Future VRC chief executive Kylie Rogers with VRC chair Neil Wilson. Picture: Joel Strickland

Mr Wilson said Ms Rogers’ “extensive experience led to her being selected from a list of high calibre candidates through an intensive process over the past six weeks”.

He said Rogers was “one of Australia’s most well-known and respected senior executives’’

“She brings a high level of commercial acumen, and impressive customer and media experience across major events, entertainment and sport,’’ he said.

“As part of an impressive resume, Kylie has overseen the significant commercial growth of the AFL, been instrumental in the redevelopment of Marvel Stadium, the growth of AFL’s digital and marketing platforms.

“And has been pivotal in improving the customer experience and fan acquisition strategy.’’

Mr Wilson said Rogers would be tasked with “accelerating our local and global ambitions across racing, events and media, including the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

“And to build the next generation of the Flemington Racecourse precinct as a year-round sport and entertainment destination.’’

Rogers has worked on the AFL executive for almost seven years and previously voiced interest in becoming the league’s first female chief executive when former boss Gillon McLachlan announced his resignation.

Kylie Rogers has worked on the AFL executive for almost seven years. Picture: Michael Klein

Ironically, McLachlan could also soon see himself in the equine executive as favourite to become the new Racing Victoria chairman.

AFL chief Andrew Dillon said Rogers had “amazing vision and extraordinary leadership”, helped the league restore its revenue base and partnerships post-covid and “made us a better organisation.’’

“She had aspirations to be a CEO and to lead an organisation again, and while I am personally sad to lose her, I am also excited that she is going to run another one of our great sporting institutions in the VRC,’’ he said.

“Kylie and her family will remain great friends of our game.”

Rogers, who is believed to have turned down the chief executive job at Hawthorn last year, was a director of women’s media group Mamamia for three and a half years before joining the AFL.

Amanda Elliott is the only women to serve as VRC chair, having led the board from 2016-20.