East Fremantle's CEO Adam Kelly appointed to new role at SANFL

The East Fremantle Football Club advises that CEO, Adam Kelly, has tendered his resignation and will depart the Club in mid October.

Adam was appointed CEO in July 2010 and has given 4 years of excellent service to the Club. Whilst we are sad to lose him, the staff and directors wish Adam all the best with his new role as the General Manager of Football at the SANFL.

“It has been a pleasure to have someone of Adam’s calibre as a part of our great Club and his dedication in his role cannot be questioned” Mark Stewart, Vice President of EFFC said earlier today.  “It is with sadness that Adam is leaving us, however a part of East Fremantle’s culture is to support its people in developing and pursuing their career goals, both on and off the field. On behalf of the board and members of East Fremantle Football Club, we would like to wish Adam all the very best and congratulate him on this appointment.”

In his time at East Fremantle, Adam has made a significant contribution to the Club and has led initiatives that have improved culture, community involvement, recruitment and the financial stability of the Club, including:  

• Increased the Club’s commitment to our community through partnerships and support, most notably Motor Neurone Disease Association of WA, Batten’s Disease, Angelman Syndrome, Legacy, Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation and St Vinnies. The Club was awarded a special commendation for outstanding community service by Clubs WA in 2012
• Improved the inclusiveness of the Club, including initiating our association with Harmony Day, strengthening ties with the Women's Club and beginning the Reconciliation Action Plan of the Club.
• Overall revenues increased by 25% allowing for increased resources allocation to improve Club performance.
• At League level the Club achieved the second highest winning percentage of 60% (2010 to 2014) compared to other WAFL Clubs, a vast improvement over our previous four years where winning percentage was 38.75%
• The Club made finals appearances in 2010, 2012 and 2014 including all three grades playing in the 2012 WAFL Grand Final.
• 21 players were drafted to the AFL, the most of any Club in Western Australia through this period.
• The establishment of the Midwest Academy
• The introduction of the East Fremantle Football Club Hall of Fame in 2012

The significance of Adam's impact on the Club will continue to be felt in years to come, as the culture he has helped to create ensures that the Club continues to attract the very best people: players, staff and volunteers.

I have been blessed and privileged to have been CEO of the Club over the past four years, Adam commented. "The East Fremantle Football Club is home to some great people and it has been my good fortune to have been mentored and guided by leaders who have aided my own development as a leader.  In my time I have worked alongside terrific staff, coaches, players, volunteers, Club stakeholders and partners.

The Club is well positioned to continue our improvement on and off the field with the team committed to the succession of the culture we have worked toward in recent years.

It is pleasing for me to be staying in Australian Rules Football and I look forward to contributing to the growth of the game in South Australia and collaborating with my friends in the West.  Our great game holds a unique place in our heritage and culture and regardless of which State it is played there is a common understanding of the ability of the game to positively impact our community.

I will certainly miss the people of the East Fremantle Football Club.”