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.
RICHARD SMITH
Year Elected: 2017
Biography:
Broad experience in marketing, communications and commercial across government and corporate sector with specific expertise in stakeholder engagement and partnerships management across various organisations such as:
Australia Post – Partnerships Manager
Australian Grand Prix Corporation – Head of Corporate Sales
Melbourne & Olympic Parks – General Manager – Marketing & Commercial Services
Department Premier & Cabinet – Project Manager – Major Events
Department Economic Development – Executive Director – Strategic Communications
Westpac Group Property – Communications Manager
Sporting & Community Background:
After playing and coaching football in the VAFA, Richard has remained connected to sporting clubs believing that strong sporting organisations can help bring together communities in so many positive ways. Reflecting on this, it is important that individual club health remains a significant priority and the entire leagues draws on the experience of the Board to strengthen our future.
Executive & Professional Experience
Previously serving as a Director – Destination Melbourne Ltd (2006 – 2012) and Director – Doxa Youth Foundation (2014-2018), Richard combines a community focus with a business mindset to ensure the SFNL remains a strong and vibrant league continuously looking at ways to grow and develop its operational base and reach across the south east.
Commitment to the SFNL
Richard will continue to balance community values with a strong business lens to ensure the SFNL is firmly focussed on growing into the future. The requirement of the Board and its individual members is to create the best conditions from which the organisation can expand and reach for opportunities to become the best the League can be from an operational perspective.
SARAH RADLOW
Year Elected: 2021
Biography:
Sarah is currently studying a Batchelor’s Degree in Sports Media and Business and is a qualified Graphic Designer. Through her studies she plans to strengthen and develop her skills in sport, media, journalism, and communications.
Sarah has an intimate knowledge of sports marketing and the potential of social media in regard to promoting events, recruiting players and developing a club brand. She hopes to use her experience with online marketing and communications to benefit clubs within the SFNL, assisting them in developing their own platform and providing as much opportunity for innovation as possible.
Sporting Background:
Sarah currently plays both Football and Netball for the Bentleigh Football Netball Club. Her position as an active member of the SFNL will assist her in developing and maintaining a sense of community across the league. She was on the Bentleigh FNC Committee from 2018 to 2021 and acted in the role of their communications coordinator and as a Sponsorship Manager & Business Development manager in their coterie group. She has also participated as a player and volunteer across several sporting codes such as Basketball, Football, Netball and Archery.
Executive & Professional Experience
Sarah currently is the Marketing Coordinator for a Sports Media company GameFace, a digital media company that provides an affordable range of services to local community sport. She is also currently the Head of Design at Fundraising platform builder ClubZone, a platform that specialises in fundraising for local sporting clubs and organisations.
She is also currently a panel member on the Sportzfan radio show, covering what’s happened in the previous week of sport on Spotify and YouTube.
Sarah hosts the Southern Women’s Footy Show as well as assisting in the production of the Southern Netball Show. This experience assist’s Sarah in maintaining a deep understanding of women’s sport in the SFNL and surrounding areas.
Although she is still in the early days of her career, Sarah has already developed her talents in the sports industry to be of a high standard. She hopes to use her experience to assist the league in their governance and supporting the SFNL community.
Commitment to the SFNL
“My experience playing Football and Netball in the Southern FNL has taught me the importance of sustainability in sporting clubs and in building a strong connection among all clubs. Above all I hope to encourage community members to lend a hand and for clubs to look to the future and be prepared.”
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.
