MILLICENT business and sporting identity Frank Brennan has been appointed to the helm of a new regional sporting authority.
He will chair the eight member South Australian National Football League South East Regional Council.
Mr Brennan and his fellow members have served on the interim council for several years and their appointments have now been confirmed by the state’s peak body.
Formerly an A-grade player with the Hatherleigh Football Club, Mr Brennan is a past secretary of the Millicent Football Club and chairman of the Mid South East Football League Junior Committee.
Mr Brennan spent 35 years in senior roles in local government, chairs the Millicent-based South Eastern Water Conservation and Drainage Board and has just stepped down as the presiding member of the SE Natural Resources Management Board.
Millicent and district is well represented on the new council as its members include Millicent businessman Scott Duncan, former Millicent lawyer Bill DeGaris and Kalangadoo potato grazier Tim Heysen.
The other members are Naracoorte Lucindale Council chief executive Dr Helen MacDonald, former AFL and SANFL player Robin White and former West Torrens footballer Brendon Smart.
Mr Brennan said it was a fantastic initiative by the SANFL.
“The South East is the first one and they will be rolled out across the state,” Mr Brennan said.
“We will be looking to support football and netball clubs and associations and ease the administrative burdens.”
SANFL community football manager Matt Duldig, formerly of Millicent, said the regional appointments are a high calibre group with extensive expertise across various industries.
“There is one remaining position to be filled and the regional council will look for the appropriate skill set to ensure maximum benefit to the three leagues and clubs when making the next appointment,” Mr Duldig said.
In other football news, Mr Duldig has announced the resignation of Millicent-based Tony McNamara who had taken up the role last month of SANFL South East football operations coordinator.
Mr Duldig said the resignation was due to unforeseen family reasons which has meant that Mr McNamara has needed to return to his home in Bendigo.
“While we’re naturally disappointed to farewell Tony so early in his appointment, we are dedicated to the new football model and finding a replacement as quickly as possible,” he said.
“There were many exceptional applicants for the role and we have already begun the process of working through these to find the new South East football operations coordinator.
“The SANFL and the three South East leagues are committed to the success of the new structure and off-field collaboration, which has already been strongly supported by the clubs.
“We look forward to making a positive announcement in the coming week.”
