Peter McDougall has been appointed the new chief executive officer of the Northern Football League.
McDougall joins the NFL after 12 years at AFL Victoria, where he served as manager of community football development and, more recently, as metropolitan football operations manager.
McDougall said he was honoured and excited to be appointed to the NFL’s chief position.
“The NFL is a very professional organisation, one that I have watched grow and develop on and off the field and I feel honoured to become its CEO,” McDougall said.
“The image and brand of the NFL has improved considerably over the past few years and the league is well positioned to become the best community sporting organisation in the Northern Metro Region of Melbourne, if not all of Melbourne.
“I am excited to be appointed as CEO to lead the NFL into the future and to enhance the image and reputation of the NFL within the community.”
NFL chairman Dean Philpots said McDougall’s football background and experience made him the standout amongst a strong field of applicants for the CEO position.
“Peter’s extensive football background, which includes a great knowledge of football in the northern region, made him the ideal person to take us into the next phase,” Philpots said.
“We’re very pleased to have him lead us into an exciting period of growth for the Northern Football League.”
During his time at AFL Victoria, McDougall led the development of community football at state and national level – implementing many current rules, regulations and programs across the nation.
He has overseen the restructure of many leagues within the state, including the Northern Football League’s development from the former Diamond Valley Football League.
He has sat on the board at each of the Eastern Football League, Southern Football League and Victorian Women’s Football League, and is a life member at both the Boronia Football Club and Whitehorse Colts Junior Football Club.
McDougall said club viability, creating quality environments for players and officials and growing participation numbers would be his priorities as NFL CEO.
He will officially commence in the position on December 2.
McDougall replaces Jeremy Bourke who served in the position for three seasons before accepting the role of regional general manager under the newly created AFL South-East Commission.
