New AFL Tasmania boss urges footy fans to look at results, not his age

“I’m not going to take a backward step”: The new boss of arguably Tasmania’s biggest sport has broken his silence and takes on the critics who have questioned his age and experience.

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“JUDGE me on my results, not my age,” says Tasmanian football’s new boss.

Damian Gill, the soon to be Head of AFL Tasmania, has spoken exclusively to the Mercury about his new role that will see him take arguably the state’s toughest sporting administration role at just 29-years-of-age.

Gill has not spoken since the appointment was announced late last month but has heard criticism raised he lacks the experience and age to take the code forward.

“I hear that and I understand that, but for me I don’t think until this appointment was made anyone knew my age and no one treated me any different,” said Gill, formerly AFL Tasmania’s public affairs and infrastructure manager.

“I know the game, I know Tasmanian sport, I have been working at AFL Tasmania for four years now.

“I’m really confident I can do the role and I don’t think my age is really a factor.

“I’m not going to take a backward step because I’m 29 and a stakeholder is older than me.

“I understand not everyone is familiar with my background and skill set.

“Some people think I was just a media man, I’ve been a whole lot more than that. I believe the results of myself and my team moving forward will do the talking.”

New Head of AFL Tasmania Damian Gill at the TCA Ground. Picture Chris Kidd

The last two AFL Tasmania boss’s have come from interstate, stayed a short term before furthering their career interstate, but Gill said he was here long term.

Gill was also appointed without opening the job for applicants or an interview process, but he said that was due to the code’s restructure nationwide.

“I understand it, but I believe I’m the right person to drive the game forward in Tassie,” he said.

The football community has also viewed the role as more “AFL” than “Tasmania” – working for the paymasters from Melbourne rather than the state’s best interests.

Gill believes he can work for two masters.

“For the most part, they are really aligned.” Gill said.

“The AFL wants footy in Tasmania to be strong and that’s what I want.

“My role is about the grassroots of the game and the strength of grassroots football and the AFL wants participation to be strong in Tasmania.

“They want the grassroots to be strong in Tasmania.

New Head of AFL Tasmania Damian Gill at the TCA Ground. Picture Chris Kidd

“I don’t see that as a major issue. I understand the conversation about it but my role is to lead Tasmanian football and that’s what I’m going to do.”

He said the biggest challenge facing Tasmanian football is the come back from COVID-19 that saw many leagues and clubs shut down this season.

Gill said getting those players, clubs and leagues up and running again would be vital to the health of the sport.

“In Tassie, we are pretty good at talking ourselves down and being negative about things but there is so much good in footy.

“I’m a passionate Tasmanian and I’m really privileged to take on the role to lead the best sport in the world in the best place in the world.”

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