CHANGE OF AAFC CHAIRMAN

The Chairman of the Association of Australian Football Clubs (AAFC), Rabieh Krayem, will step down from the role at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the organisation next month.
 
Krayem was voted as the inaugural Chairman in 2017 after AAFC formed that same year.
 
He quickly established AAFC as a recognised lobby group as part of the governance discussions with FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation in 2017 and 2018, resulting in preliminary recognition status under the newly structured FFA Constitution in October last year.
 
AAFC has also led the debate for a national second division, releasing its discussion paper on the key features of a competition in October 2017, with most football stakeholders suggesting at the time that it would not be viable.
 
Since then, as deputy chairman to FFA’s National Second Division Working Group chaired by FFA Board member Remo Nogarotto, Krayem has overseen a white paper for feedback and consultation. A Steering Committee will now form final recommendations for final implementation of a national second division by 2021-22. 
 
AAFC has also been heavily involved in the re-writing of the contentious National Club Identification Policy and has argued strongly for the costs of playing football to be reduced. 
 
Krayem said it has been an “intense” two years as Chairman of AAFC with big political battles.
 
“Now that we are in a different phase of AAFC’s evolution, it is a good time for someone else to lead the organisation and continue to pursue the issues of concern to our members,” said Krayem.
 
Krayem, who is also President of Wynnum Wolves FC in Brisbane, will continue to represent AAFC on the national second division working group, along with the incoming AAFC Chairman, Nick Galatas, in the interests of continuity. 
 
Galatas, who is a former Chairman of South Melbourne Football Club, was instrumental in establishing AAFC. He has been AAFC’s honorary legal advisor for the past two years, and has also been involved in the work related to the national second division.  
 
The AAFC AGM will be held in Melbourne on Saturday 27 July, in conjunction with a briefing from FFA Board member Remo Nogarotto.
 
“We encourage all our members to join us in Melbourne – not just for the AGM, but also to hear from Remo on the national second division and other important football issues,” Krayem said. 
 
President of South Hobart FC, Vicki Morton, will be reappointed deputy chairman of AAFC with other state representatives to include:

• Pye Augustine, Western Pride, Queensland
• Christo Patsan, Hamilton Olympic, Northern NSW
• John Boulos, Sydney Olympic, NSW
• Jon Thiele, Tuggeranong United, ACT
• Dean Hennessey, Pascoe Vale FC, Victoria
• Amin Ayoubi, West Torrens Birkalla, SA
• Gary Marocchi, Perth SC, WA.