CHIEF Executive Officer Marc Turri has informed league staff, board and clubs of his upcoming departure from the EDFL.
The highly-regarded Turri arrived at EDFL headquarters in 2010 and has been a driving force behind the league’s extraordinary growth over those eight seasons.
Under Turri’s leadership, the EDFL has grown from 293 teams in 2010 to 377 in 2017 and eight new clubs have become affiliated with the league, including full members Coburg Districts, East Sunbury, Burnside Heights and Ascot Vale.
Other major achievements include the introduction of three Senior Men’s divisions in 2012, the Senior Thirds competition in 2015, Youth Girls & Senior Women’s competitions and junior grading and age group restructures.
At headquarters, the EDFL’s staff has also grown from three to nine full-time employees.
League headquarters itself also relocated from Airport West to Windy Hill in 2016.
“It was difficult to tell some people,” a reflective Turri said.
“Particularly those people who gave me my first start at the EDFL, those like Ian Price (former Chairman), Arthur Crofts (former Treasurer) and Brett Scott (current Chairman), who was here under Pricey’s Chairmanship when I started.”
When asked what his proudest achievement has been with the EDFL, Turri looked to the expansion the EDFL has experienced in his time.
“Getting East Sunbury into the competition,” he responded.
“The first thing it did was provide validity for the three senior competitions, because getting Coburg Districts and East Sunbury in meant we could have an eight-team competition for Strathmore Community Bank Division 2.
“That made it a real competition and also allowed us to expand into a new market in Sunbury, which is a developing market with a population that is due to double over the next 30 years.
“So strategically, they’re vitally important to the EDFL.”
Turri’s tenure with the EDFL will officially conclude on Friday, December 15.
The league will soon look to advertise for its new Chief Executive Officer.
