THE EDFL is proud to announce Shannon Colgan as its newest full-time staff member.
Shannon has been installed as the League’s new Football Operations Officer and commenced her new role this week.
We sat down with her as she settles into Windy Hill.
Shannon, welcome to the EDFL. How do you like your new digs here at Windy Hill?
It’s great. They don’t really feel completely brand new having been a regular visitor to Windy Hill for the past few years. It’s also nice having a bit of fellow red, white & blue support (Football Operations Manager Stuart Balloch – a fellow Bulldogs fan) in the office. He has helped settle me in.
You’re no stranger to the EDFL. Tell us about your history with our League?
I’ve umpired (goal and a little bit on the field) here for the past three years after switching over from the WRFL. I also coached a junior girls team (Flemington) in 2016 which was a fantastic experience and allowed me to see the strength of some of our junior girls clubs.
And, like quite a few of your new EDFL colleagues, you’ve also spent time with the Western Jets?
I was lucky to do my first university placement with the Geelong/Western Youth Girls Academy as Team Manager in 2016 and was introduced to Shane Sexton. I then agreed to go again for a second year when the Western part of the academy aligned with the Jets for 2017 and now work with Gavin Mahony (AFL Victoria Football Development Manager based at Windy Hill) as part of the coaching team. I grew up following the Jets having been a western suburbs girl and I’m a big Brad Johnson supporter so happy to have had the opportunity. I’m now looking forward to a strong competition from the girls playing under the Jets banner for the first time.
It’s going to be a big year for the EDFL on the female footy front. Are you looking forward the growth we’re about to have with AFL Women’s just around the corner?
Definitely. I’m passionate about women’s participation in both umpiring and playing. Having coached in a four-team Under 12s competition in 2016, it’s outstanding to hear that the competition may have even doubled for the upcoming season. So many opportunities are available, so I urge all girls to get involved because I’ve seen the value of playing and establishing friendships and confidence first hand.
What are you looking forward to about working full-time here at the EDFL?
Learning about the back-end operations (goes with the job title I think) of how the EDFL runs. Finals time always gets me excited so playing a bigger part in that is a bonus. I also can’t wait to see the growth of female football in the region.
