SANFL announces key appointments

By SANFL Media

SANFL is pleased to announce the appointment of Lisa Faraci as its new Head of Community Football and Sean Toohey as Head of Football Operations.

Faraci, who has over 20 years’ experience in community football and netball, replaces Tom Hurley who left SANFL in late October to take up a senior football operations role with the Adelaide Football Club.

Faraci, a former lead consultant to the AFL and Netball Victoria for regional planning, community development and infrastructure projects, joined SANFL in 2018 as Facilities and Infrastructure Manager.

During this time she has overseen the establishment of the Football, Cricket, Netball Grassroots Facilities fund, which has so far resulted in over $60m worth of facility projects, and led the AFL and SANFL response to bushfire affected areas in South Australia.

As Head of Community Football, she will be responsible for managing the affiliations of the 24 regional Leagues across the State and the metropolitan Adelaide Footy League. Faraci will also oversee SANFL’s Indigenous and Diversity Programs, Planning, Infrastructure and Club Development.

SANFL General Manager Football Matt Duldig said Faraci’s high performance in overseeing facilities and infrastructure across the State had positioned her well to lead Community Football.

“Lisa’s professional experience and hands on involvement in community sport and strategic planning, including as a former club president in Victoria, has given her a great understanding and appreciation of the importance of sport in regional communities,” Duldig said.

“Lisa’s current role in managing football’s infrastructure and facilities planning has also helped her develop strong connections across the South Australian football industry and all levels of government.”

Faraci said she was thrilled to be taking on the new role and continuing to support and strengthen grassroots football throughout the State.

“A key priority is to support and resource community leagues and clubs, especially through the coronavirus pandemic which has had such a significant impact,” she said.

“Ensuring the sustainability of our great game at all levels is vital to continue the enjoyment and connectiveness for so many South Australians.”

Toohey returns to SANFL after three seasons as Talent Manager with the Eastern Ranges Football Club in the AFL Talent Pathway Program – one of Victoria’s most successful NAB League regions and producers of elite Victorian talent. Prior to this he was SANFL’s Integrity Officer from 2016 to 2018.

Duldig said Toohey’s new role at SANFL, managing the operations of the Statewide Super League, Women’s League and U18 and U16 Torrens University Cup competitions would be an important pillar as the League prepares for season 2021 and beyond.

“Sean left a significant mark on SANFL in his two years with us and that, coupled with his success and development in his role at Eastern Ranges, positioned him as the ideal candidate for Head of Football Operations,” Duldig said.

In addition, Toohey will oversee the National Pharmacies SANFL Juniors competition – the biggest junior competition in the nation with approximately 12,000 participants – and SANFL’s coaching department.

“I’m looking forward to supporting our clubs in maintaining the SANFL’s status as the premier state sporting competition in the country, as well as overseeing the continued growth of National Pharmacies SANFL Juniors and our state coaching programs into the future,” Toohey said.