Board Members
MARC GAUCI – CHAIR
Year Elected: 2009. Chair since 2018.
Biography:
Current Position – Head of eCommerce Business Development at Australia Post.
A lifelong professional involvement in Business Development /Sales, Supply Chain, China and in the last 10 years eCommerce.
Currently, manages Marketplaces, Shopping Carts and eCommerce Platforms for Australia Post focussed on the customer journey, user experience and the technology and supply chain aspects that underpin this.
Actively involved in the administration of junior football for 8 years at East Malvern Knights where my 2 sons and daughter played football.
Joined the East Malvern Knights committee in 2006 as Sponsorship Manager before becoming Club Secretary in 2007 and Vice President and Club Secretary from 2009-2013
In 2009 Marc led the move of five WJFA Clubs to the MSJFL (now SMJFL) and in 2010 joined the board of the Southern Football Netball League. Marc was elected Chair at the 2017 AGM and is passionate about providing the best experience for all that are involved in community football and netball.
Sporting and Community Involvement:
Founding Chair China Australia Chamber of Commerce, Shanghai (AustCham Shanghai) 1994-1998
Vice President Australia China Business Council (ACBC) 2001-2012
Chair of MET3145 2005-2013
Vice President Secretary East Malvern Junior Football Club 2009-2013
Commitment to SFNL
As the Chair and Board Member, I ensure we live to our values of Trust, Accountability, Inclusiveness and Innovation and will continue to drive to ensure our “fans” have the best experience possible.
GARRY CRANNY – DEPUTY CHAIR
Year Elected: 2007
Background / Expertise:
Garry works as Manager of Sustainability for the family owned concrete and quarrying businesses based in the outer south-eastern area of Melbourne, the Yarra Valley and Bass Coast, which between them employ about 160 staff.
This follows a Federal Public Service career of 27 years and nearly 10 years as a partner and Director of an environmental consultancy business. This period included over two years as Director of a European based joint party venture based in England.
Interest and/or involvement in sport:
Garry played over 20 years and 300 games of local senior football with Glenhuntly (FFL, five years), Caulfield (VFA, nine years), Croydon (EDFL, two years) and St Kevin’s Ormond (ESCFA, five years) which included eight years as a Captain-Coach in the VFA and ESCFA and is a Life Member of the Caulfield Football Club having been the club’s inaugural President from 1993 to 1999.
Board and Committee Involvement:
Garry is currently Chair of the Construction Materials Processors Association (CMPA). CMPA members supply over 50% of Victoria’s quarried materials and concrete to the State’s construction industry.
Garry joined the Board of the SFNL prior to the commencement of the 2007 season and was an inaugural inductee into the SFNL Hall of Fame in 2015.
PAUL SHOEBRIDGE – TREASURER
Year Elected: 2018
Biography:
By providing strong Commercial and Governance input that will support the League, and guide the clubs, to operate within a sustainable business model to be enable community sport to be facilitated within the geographic boundaries of the SFNL.
Sporting Background:
My community sporting involvement has been extensive over a significant number of years through field umpiring in several community competitions and enjoying success with Grand Finals at all levels. Major contributions have been made the Southern Football Netball League (over 230 games), the Yarra Valley Mountain District League (530 games) and the Knox Junior Football Association (255 games). I am still running in the SFNL and intend to for several years to come.
Executive & Professional Experience
As a Chartered Accountant I have spent a significant part of my career in the retail franchising industry within many sectors. I have a passion for small business and ensuring franchises, small business operators, can achieve their goals, their passion, by providing guidance and direction to ensure their financial framework is robust and their corporate governance practical and effective. The small business in the SFNL are the clubs and helping them be successful off field will enable the League and the clubs to provide sustainable community sport in the region.
Commitment to the SFNL
I have a passion to ensure the Clubs and the Board have a sustainable financial strategy – both short and long term. This is lived by ensuring any operational decisions we take today as Board are challenged so as to be financially viable to all member clubs and our long term future drives all decision making from a financial perspective.
DARREN McLEOD
Year Elected: 2019
Biography:
With a strong background in sports administration and events management, including a degree In Human Movement and a Graduate Diploma in Sports Business, Darren has over 25 years’ experience across the sport/leisure, major events and entertainment industries.
Establishing his early career at some of Melbourne’s leading sports and leisure facilities, Darren’s career has seen him hold senior roles both in Australia and abroad, including positions with Lifesaving Victoria, Wimbledon Tennis Championships (UK), The Australian Open Tennis Championships (Tennis Australia), and Cotai Arena (15,000 seat Stadium) located within The Venetian Macau Resort Hotel/Casino in Macau (China).
Currently the Deputy Director of Sport for Monash University, with responsibility for sport strategy and operations across the Universities 3 campuses – including one of Melbourne’s largest integrated sporting precincts at the Clayton Campus. Darren’s role encompasses sports precinct master planning, sports club governance (to over 45 affiliated sports clubs) site and event operations, financial and resource management and sports program development.
Sporting Background:
Having established a successful career working in sport, Darren is also a sports enthusiast, as participant, administrator and spectator.
He has been involved in football for over 30 years, having played both junior and senior football for Knox Football Club (Eastern Football League) – including a member of the 2000 Senior Premiership Team. With two young sons, Darren spends his weekends volunteering his time to both helping coordinate Auskick sessions and umpiring under nine matches with Edithvale/Aspendale Football Club.
A tragic Melbourne Demons Supporter, Darren is also a keen golfer and regular swimmer, who enters the annual Lorne Pier to Pub Swim.
Executive & Professional Experience
Kingston City Council – Sport Advisory Committee (2019 – current)
Commitment to the SFNL
We have an engaging and wonderful community-based product (Football and Netball) which I am extremely passionate about, and the continuous improvement (year on year) across all facets of our business and operations, which then leads to improved engagement and experiences for our member clubs, participants, supporters and volunteers is what drives my commitment and involvement, on being a member of the SFNL board.
GREG RYAN
Year Elected: 2019
Biography:
For the last 35 years I have worked in the area of Education, community engagement and health promotion. In this time, I have developed many multi-faceted programs in Education and Road Safety.
Through work with RoadSmart, L2P and in Eastern Region I have established and maintained strong positive relationships across local communities and the state, with stakeholders in the Victorian Government, Local Government, human services, local businesses, road safety stakeholders and colleagues. I have worked hard to develop and nurture these relationships in order to sustain programs and deliver outcomes for VicRoads and the Victorian community.
Sporting Background:
Player
1992-1993 – Captain Coach of Thorpdale F.C. (MGFL)
1988-1991 – Captain Coach of Toora F.C. (Alberton F.L.)
1987 – Senior player St. Kevin’s F.C. (South Eastern Suburban Churches Association.)
1986 – Senior player with Kedron F.C. (QAFL).
1985-1986 – Senior player St Mary’s F.C. (NTFL)
1984-1985 – Senior player with Caulfield F.C. (VFA)
1982 – Senior player with South Mildura F.C. (SFL)
1974–1981/83 – Junior and senior player with Ballarat F.C. (BFL)
Coach Qualifications
1989 – Accredited Senior Football Coach – Level 2
1991 – Accredited Senior Football Coach – Level 3
Roles
2011-2015 – Development Coach Port Melbourne FC (VFL)
2010 – Assistant/Coach of Caulfield Football Club (SFL)
2005–2007 – Coach Alberton F.L. Interleague.(VCFL)
2002-2004 – Senior Coach Wonthaggi Rovers F.C. (Alberton F.L)
1993 – Assistant Coach of Gippsland Power (TAC CUP)
1992-1993 – Captain Coach of Thorpdale F.C. (MGFL)
1988-1991 – Captain Coach of Toora F.C. (Alberton F.L.)
1998 – Coach of Caulfield Football Club (SFL)
1981 – Coach of Ballarat High School Juniors (BFL)
Executive & Professional Experience
– Vice President Alberton F.L.& Club delegate
– Richmond F.C. Recruiting Officer
– Presenter and Organiser of Level 1 coach Education.
– Auskick Coordinator for Alberton League.
– Editor of Gippsland Coaches Association Magazine.
– Coordinator of Coach PD for Gippsland Region.
– Level 1 & 2 Assessor for Gippsland.
– AFCA member 1988 – 2010
Commitment to the SFNL
I commit my time to engage in strategic discussion and outcomes as well as supporting the Football & Netball deliverables to our member clubs.
NATALIE LOW
Year Elected: 2022
Current Position – Head of Corporate Governance & Risk
Organisation – Reach Markets
Background / Expertise:
Natalie is an experienced governance, risk, compliance, and capital markets leader with strong technical knowledge and over 5 years of organisation wide strategic oversight in a rapid growth, financial services start up.
Project managing capital raises, from set up to settlement, has given her broad exposure to a variety of industries, businesses, and boards within Australia. She is an active observer on the board of Wound Innovations, as well as having been an executive compliance committee member for an Australian Financial Services Licensee for the last 4 years.
In the UK, Natalie held a variety of management and leadership roles with extensive experience in customer service, events, sales, marketing, recruitment, training, and audit.
She is currently completing her post graduate diploma with the Governance Institute of Australia and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors as well as Women on Boards.
Sporting and Community Involvement:
Netball has been a key passion throughout Natalie’s life, playing from the age of 8 in the UK for school and local/community competitions with Leighton Buzzard Netball Club. Whilst playing for the senior team, she coached weekly and at summer camps for the junior teams.
Since being in Australia, she has played socially, initially with Melbourne Social Netball and currently with the Richmond District Netball Association Inc.
Camp Quality Volunteer – 2022 – present
Commitment to SFNL
“With a personal alignment to the leagues values and a gratitude for what community sport has given me, I hope to be able to leverage my professional skills and experience for the benefit of the league – with a focus on empowering others be the best they can be, for themselves, their clubs and the league.”
ADAM ARNESS
Year Elected: 2023
Biography:
Adam is a passionate advocate for community, and the power of grass roots community groups to empower all people of all ages, backgrounds, and creeds.
Adam has lived out that mantra from a young age, having joined the Board of the Dingley Sports & Recreation Club at the age of just 18, and progressing to President of the Club by the age of 23. Throughout this period, Adam also served on the Committee of the Dingley Football Club, where he spearheaded the change to the Constitution and renaming of the Club to the Dingley Football Netball Club, in recognition of the invaluable contribution of Netballers to the fabric of the Club. He liaised with local Council and other external stakeholders to achieve positive change, whilst also representing the Club as Tribunal Representative at the SFNL as he completed his law degree.
Adam’s commitment to community sport has not waivered, and he is honoured by the opportunity to continue the work of the SFNL in supporting all the wonderful Clubs, participants, members, and supporters associated with the League – to achieve their goals both on-and-off the field.
Sporting & Community Background:
Adam currently serves as the Deputy Chair of the Dingley Village Bendigo Bank Branch of the Community Bank. He has served on that Board for almost ten (10) years in various capacities, illustrative of his commitment to serving the community and improving the lives of those within it.
Through his involvement with the Dingley Village Bendigo Bank, the Dingley Football Netball Club and the Dingley Sports and Recreation Club, Adam has developed an innate understanding of community and sport, and the inseparable relationship between the two.
Executive & Professional Experience
Adam has extensive professional experience. As a lawyer, Adam has practised in many areas including commercial law, family law, wills & estates, and employment law.
Currently, Adam serves as the National Workplace Relations Manager for Kinetic, Australia and New Zealand’s largest bus operator. In this role, Adam is responsible for providing high quality, strategic and practical advice, and support on all aspects of Industrial and Workplace Relations, advising on best practice and compliance with legislation. He is a subject matter expert and liaises with all aspects and elements of the business to achieve positive outcomes for all involved.
Commitment to the SFNL
Adam is committed to ensuring the League abides by its core values and in the pursuit of the Strategic Plan 2023-2025. Adam will draw on his vast experiences and varied skill set to ensure the SFNL can continue to grow and prosper.
CHELSEA FRAWLEY
Year Elected: 2023
Biography:
After having lost her father to suicide in 2019, Chelsea made a career move from SEN to the St Kilda
Football Club to help bring to life a focus on Mental Health. Chelsea played a pivotal role in
developing and creating an AFL first mental health initiative in Spud’s Game, which aims to raise
funds for Mental Fitness programs at the Danny Frawley Centre. In addition to her work on the
game, Chelsea drives partnerships, programs and operations for the Danny Frawley Centre, an elite-
level mental and physical fitness facility located in Moorabbin whilst also being an outspoken mental
health and concussion advocate.
Sporting & Community Background:
Received rowing scholarship to the United States
Australian National Rowing Champion – U23 W8+ 2013
Captain and Founder 2017 – 2022 Old Haileybury Football Club
Executive & Professional Experience
Bachelor of Science 2015 – Syracuse University, New York, USA
Masters of Teaching 2017 – Monash University
Strategy and Solutions Manager 2018-2020 – Sports Entertainment Network
Marketing and Community Engagement 2020- 2022 – St Kilda Football Club
Community Impact Manager 2022 onwards – Danny Frawley Centre
Commitment to the SFNL
My commitment to the SFNL is to ensure the sustainability of our clubs as the heartbeat of the
communities they inhabit. Alongside my colleagues, I commit to driving an inclusive and sustainable
framework for clubs, so that our members can reap the physical, social and mental benefits from
being a part of it.
AMANDA DEL PRETE
Year Elected: 2023
Biography:
Background / Expertise:
Amanda is an experienced global leader holding senior product development, marketing and sales roles with Hallmark Cards in Australia, USA & UK. Amanda’s most recent role at Hallmark was Group Managing Director of Hallmark UK & Australia/New Zealand. After living and working overseas for 10 years, Amanda returned home to Melbourne with family so her son could finish his schooling in Australia.
Current Position:
Amanda joined Tennis Australia in 2023 as the Director of Product & Customer Experience and was part of the record-breaking 2024 Australian Open with +1.1 million attendees enjoying the iconic global sporting event.
Passion for Sport:
Growing up in a sports-loving family, Amanda is die-hard Geelong supporter, avid tennis player and watcher and still cheers for NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs from afar. Amanda and her husband have been proud to watch their son embrace sports from around the globe. Having moved schools a number of times, Amanda has seen the significant role that sport has played in helping her son adapt to new environments, develop leadership skills and create life-long friends.
Commitment to SFNL:
“Joining the SFNL provides a fantastic opportunity to combine my love for sport and desire to reconnect with and support my local community. I am committed to partnering with the SFNL Board and Leadership Team to further strengthen the league and deliver strategic goals for an even brighter future.”
TED TURNER
Year Elected: 2023
Biography:
Married to Brooke with two sons Sam and Tom, living in Black Rock.
A Partner at Ashfords Accountants and Advisory being CPA Public Practitioner, for over 30 years.
Working closely with SMEs in the South East Area of Melbourne providing financial peace of mind.
Sporting & Community Background:
Family connection with both Football and Netball.
Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters have all been engaged with community sport.
Former AFL South East Commissioner
Former President of Edithvale Aspendale Sporting Club
Former President of Edithvale Aspendale Netball Club
Former Treasures of Edithvale Aspendale Sporting Club
Former Committee of Edithvale Aspendale Sporting Club
Life Member Edithvale Aspendale Sporting Club
Life Member of Edithvale Aspendale Netball Club
Former Senior Premiership Player
Former Senior Captain of Edithvale Aspendale Sporting Club
Team of the Century – Edithvale Aspendale Sporting Club
Team of the 90s – Edithvale Aspendale Sporting Club
Team of the 80s – Edithvale Aspendale Sporting Club
VAFA Interstate Player
Executive & Professional Experience
Partner – Ashfords Accountants and Advisory
Former CPA Victorian Divisional President
Currently Councillor – CPA Victorian Divisional Council
Commitment to the SFNL
I have seen how community clubs can enrich local communities, and bring people together from
different backgrounds. The diversity of the SFNFL really appeals to me, and I am happy to offer my
experience in assisting the strengthening their offering to the community.
