Female AFL executives encourage more women to pursue a career in footy

They’re at the top of their game and these female AFL executives are driving for more women to work in footy — while one wants to be the big boss.

Kylie Rogers isn’t putting a cap on her trailblazing feats.

One of three women on the AFL executive — and the league’s chief money-maker — Rogers has confirmed she is keen to be a CEO.

“I have ambition one day to be CEO of the AFL,’’ she said.

“I am really looking forward to contributing more when I get the opportunity.”

AFL executive general manager, customer and commercial Kylie Rogers. Picture: Michael Klein

Rogers is leading the way for many females after more than 25 years experience across various media platforms.

Since joining the AFL six years ago she has overseen membership, ticketing, events, corporate hospitality, Marvel Stadium, digital channels and sponsorship — and also landed Robbie Williams for the grand final and oversaw record revenue.

“It’s vital to our development and growth to have more women at every level of our game,’’ Rogers said.

“Honestly, maybe because of my background and where I’ve worked in the past, broadcast in the 90s was tough going for a young girl, so when I arrived at the AFL all I felt was excitement and energy and passion around me from both men and women.

“I just feel really grateful that I have the opportunity to support other women around me. I was welcomed with open arms when I first arrived and we are a better organisation when there’s more diverse people around the boardroom.”

Tanya Hosch says her job is never dull Picture: Michael Klein

Sarah Fair meets with clubs and chief executive Gillon McLachlan to look at the culture, health and wellbeing of the company. Picture: Michael Klein

Tanya Hosch started in her groundbreaking role, overseeing inclusion and social policy, six years ago.

Among the achievements she’s most proud of so far are the 18 clubs and the AFL coming together to write a substantial apology to Adam Goodes; Peter Matera being the first Indigenous person to be appointed to the AFL tribunal and the review of the vilification rule which she says “gives people a voice where sometimes previously they’d be silenced”.

“I feel like my position is always a challenging one because it’s the sort of role where you’re looking at things from lots of different levels and seeing how you can improve things so that everyone’s experience in the game is better and fairer,’’ Hosch said.

“My job is never dull and there’s always something challenging to go along with it. (AFL CEO) Gill (McLachlan) often says the thing about my job that is different to some others is that there’s no finish line. I think that’s true.”

Sarah Fair has mainly women in her team, regularly meets with clubs and McLachlan to look at culture, health and wellbeing and how to recruit the best people, as well as overseeing Marvel Stadium.

“We attract more women from outside of sport than inside so it’s such a diversity of background skills and experiences,’’ she said.

“Today we actually have over 40 per cent of women at the AFL and even more overseeing our leader level and we’ve come a long way in a relatively short period of time.”

Fair has also been integral in campaigning for and implementing the parental leave policy which is one of the best in the country.

“Gill and I have a very close working relationship. If you don’t have the support of the CEO it’s almost impossible to do a good job,’’ she said.

The only current female CEO at the AFL, Jennifer Watt, said there is absolutely a pathway for women to rise and succeed. Picture: Michael Klein

Laura Kane says her long-term vision is to the get more women in senior leadership positions in footy. Picture: Michael Klein

The women who run the game: Tanya Hosch, Jennifer Watt, Sarah Fair, Kylie Rogers and Laura Kane. Picture: Michael Klein

Jennifer Watt, the only current female CEO, says there absolutely is a pathway for women to rise and succeed.

“I have worked in footy for 20 years now and particularly over the last 10 years the industry has been really active in trying to encourage, nurture and support females to be successful,’’ she said.

“It doesn’t take away from the fact you have to work really hard. I don’t think there’s blatant sexism in our industry but there’s certainly bias, mainly unconscious that is just taking time to straighten up. And I think people looking from outside wonder why it’s taken so long probably, but the game has orbited around men for 150 years. Now there is genuine acknowledgment that women play a really important role in the game at every level. And it makes the game better.”

She said she’s loving her new role.

“These jobs are rare privileges and I do feel a big sense of responsibility to do a good job and be successful in it because I understand it’s important for others to make sure this pathway continues to exist,’’ she said.

There are big wraps on Laura Kane, who works closely with Andrew Dillon, Executive General Manager Football Operations, Legal & Integrity and General Counsel.

“I think the long term vision is to get more women in those senior leadership positions particularly those more traditional football positions like a general manager of football, and I feel proud to be part of it,’’ she said.

“I’m a product of that pathway. Coming from a career outside of football working across men’s and women’s football and holding a leadership position at the AFL. It’s for the better.”

Originally published as Female AFL executives encourage more women to pursue a career in footy