Selina Holtze steps in as Football Northern Territory chairman after Stuart Kenny steps down

A prominent Football Northern Territory board member has resigned amid ongoing concerns of conflicts of interest at the peak sporting body. A new leader has been brought in - find out who.

The Darwin Football Stadium at Marrara. Picture: Harry Brill

Football Northern Territory chairman Stuart Kenny has stepped down from his role after eight years as supporters of the game continue calls for investigation into the sporting body.

Kenny, who is also on the NT Cricket board of directors, had been in the role since 2016 but has stepped away to focus on business commitments, he says.

The FNT in a statement on Friday morning said Kenny had overseen a successful period in the sport where he helped grow the profile of the sport across the NT.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on the Board of Football Northern Territory,” Mr Kenny said in the statement.

“Over the past eight years we have overseen significant growth in participation, club facility upgrades, government and commercial funding and where the interest in female programs is the highest we have ever seen.

Stuart Kenny has stepped down as FNT president. Picture: Julianne Osborne

“I’d like to thank all of the clubs and players of football across the Territory and look forward to seeing this great sport continue to thrive.”

It was announced Selina Holtze will fill the role of interim President until the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in May 2025.

She is the first female and first Indigenous leader of the sport in the NT.

Holtze is a member of Football Australia’s Women’s Council, current member of the National Indigenous Advisory Group and is the first Aboriginal Member Federation Director.

“I would like to thank Stuart for his stewardship over a long period which has seen our game come a long way,” she in the announcement.

“We will continue to advocate for our sport and work with government on our key strategic objectives including facility upgrades and leading growth in 5–11-year-old age groups plus our diversity and inclusion programs.”

Selina Holtze will fill the role of interim President until the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in May 2025.

The significant reshuffle comes as conflict of interest complaints have emerged against the league and its management of academy NAFA.

NT football supporters have called for external authorities, including the Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC) to investigate the league in recent weeks.

The escalation comes after this publication in July revealed accusations had been levelled against Football Northern Territory by members of Darwin-based clubs.

Since then, members have taken their issues, including alleged preferential treatment towards academy side NAFA, to the ICAC, Football Australia, and even new Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro.

Concerns included perceived conflict of interest due to the FNT management team also running the North Australian Football Academy, which participates in junior league competitions within Darwin.

The Darwin Football Stadium at Marrara. Picture: Harry Brill

By dual-wielding their FNT and NAFA responsibilities, the management team therefore administers the same competitions, which their academy teams play in.

At least two formal complaints have been submitted to ICAC NT, and have been obtained by this publication.

One of the complaints, which claims to represent the “NT football community”, requests ICAC formally investigate the allegations.

Acting anti-corruption commissioner Naomi Loudon said the ICAC had no comment in response.

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, along with a host of football club, FNT figures and media members, were sent an email by a mother calling for greater accountability.

The Darwin Football Stadium at Marrara. Picture: Harry Brill

They raised concerns about FNT, who received $188,500 in grants by the NT Government in 2023.

“As an NT taxpayer, I am infuriated that the FNT board is so confident in its ongoing funding and hold on public assets,” they said.

Football Northern Territory chief executive Bruce Stalder said the sporting body “strongly refutes these claims”.

“(NAFA) will ensure footballers across the Northern Territory are exposed to the best available coaches to help develop their football,” he said.

“In developing the new program, Football Northern Territory has undertaken significant consultation with the 11 Darwin based clubs.”

Football Australia said they would not provide further comment in response to the claims.

Originally published as Selina Holtze steps in as Football Northern Territory chairman after Stuart Kenny steps down