Head of AFL NSW/ACT appointed

Andrew Varasdi has been appointed Head of AFL NSW/ACT.

The AFL is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Varasdi to the key role of Head of NSW/ACT, based in Sydney.
 
Varasdi comes on board at a crucial time for the game in an important growth market, as the AFL sets out to build from a solid foundation, embed a new structure and boost awareness, participation and fandom across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
 
Varasdi brings extensive experience, leadership credentials and local knowledge from a corporate career spent mostly based in Sydney, predominantly in the advertising industry across start-ups through to established businesses.
 
Through being a local junior and senior Australian Rules Football club president, including with the Manly Warringah Wolves in 2024, Varasdi is well placed to understand the challenges and opportunities that are part of the grassroots game and the demands placed on volunteers, players, coaches, umpires and facilities.
 
AFL Executive General Manager Game Development, Rob Auld, welcomed Varasdi to the role.
 
“I am very pleased to welcome someone of Andrew’s calibre and experience to the role of Head of AFL NSW/ACT and congratulate him on the appointment,” said Auld.
 
“Australian Rules Football in NSW/ACT is well placed to set a path for growth and leverage the interest in the elite game given the success of the Sydney Swans and GWS GIANTS. Andrew’s recent experiences with community football coupled with his strong leadership, proven commercial acumen and drive for results means we are very well placed to capitalise on the huge opportunity in NSW and the ACT. The AFL is steadfast in its commitment to significantly growing the game and Andrew’s appointment gives us confidence we can achieve those ambitions.
 
“Andrew’s skills and experience from a long and successful career in business as well as extensive local knowledge and networks across government, corporate and community football, will help him to work with stakeholders across the board, from grassroots through to the elite level, for the benefit of the game.
 
“We have a tremendous opportunity to take the game forward in NSW/ACT and I look forward to working with Andrew and his team on what is an exciting time for footy in one of the AFL’s most important growth markets.”
 
Varasdi, who becomes part of the AFL’s national Game Development leadership team, expressed his excitement at the opportunity in front of him.
 
“I am in incredibly passionate about the game of Australian Rules Football and grateful for the opportunity to lead the AFL NSW/ACT business as we enter an important growth phase,” said Varasdi.
 
“The game has been challenged in recent years, but it is exciting to know that the AFL is fully committed to seizing the opportunity in NSW/ACT and establishing a strong grassroots base that secures the future of the game.
 
“I look forward to working with stakeholders across all aspects and levels of community football to help unlock the game’s potential.”
 
Varasdi commenced in his role at AFL NSW/ACT in mid-October. He replaces Tiffany Robertson, who finished with the business earlier this year.
 
As part of the ambition to get footy in every home, the AFL has enshrined 10 per cent of the game’s revenue annually to go towards game development, highlighting the game’s commitment to having a strong grassroots foundation.
 
More than 500,000 registered participants have been involved in the game in 2024 across the country, an uplift on the previous record set in 2023, and the AFL has the aim of nearly doubling registered participation to one million by 2033. NSW/ACT is a huge part of this with a focus on driving growth in emerging markets. There are more than 70,000 registered participants in NSW/ACT in 2024 with many areas and programs experiencing growth, including the game’s introductory program, NAB AFL Auskick, which is up 12 per cent on 2023.