New executive director for Maccabi Australia
President of Maccabi Australia Jeff Sher has announced former Swans and Essendon AFL player Ryan O’Connor has been appointed Executive Director of Maccabi Australia.
Ryan O’Connor
Ryan O’Connor has been described by Maccabi Australia as an outstanding leader with strong relationship building skills. In a statement, Maccabi said: “He is a professional sports administrator who has had an enviable record in coordinating and delivering effective sport development programs. He is well regarded in the sports industry and has had a remarkably successful career over 20 years as an AFL player and as an administrator holding a variety of senior management roles most recently with AFL Victoria as a Region Talent Manager and at the Coburg Football Club as the General Manager.
As a footballer, Ryan represented both the Essendon and Sydney Swans Football Clubs at AFL Level and will bring a wealth of sports knowledge and team development to Maccabi.”
As a family man, Ryan O’Connor has two wonderful children Rory and Ruby and he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Administration.
Ryan has played a role in ‘Not for Profit’ organisations and appreciates the role of the volunteer. He has been responsible for revenue raising and working with stakeholders to create sponsorship programs while fostering strong connections with the communities he has served.
Jeff Sher said, “We are excited to attract a sports administrator of Ryan’s calibre to our organisation and look forward to his passion for sport and the role he will play in leading our strategic objectives.”
“Ryan will bring great enthusiasm to the role and with a strong set of humanistic values will lead from the front. He will be a strong advocate for the development of our sporting clubs. Ryan has demonstrated a great understanding of the community needs and the Maccabi strategic plan, which places particular emphasis on growing participation in sport as well ashealth and wellness activities.”
He is well equipped to provide guidance to the development of our sports programs as well as lead the implementation of our Maccabi Life programs. With his array of skills, he will be more than able to support our members, volunteers and the greater Maccabi communityacross Australia.”
Ryan O’Connor expressed his delight in being able to work with Maccabi – “My partner Adriana and her family have been part of Maccabi for many years, and I have enjoyed my many and varied connections that I have had with the organisation over a long period of time.
I am honoured to be appointed as the ED of Maccabi and to have the opportunity to work closely with a very forward-thinking and experienced Board, a highly skilled and dedicated staff and the 54 clubs spread across the length and breadth of the country.
I look forward to working amongst the community to grow Maccabi to new heights.”
He will commence duty on 25th February 2019.
