“It is with mixed emotions that I say farewell to AFL South Africa.  In the last four years, I have witnessed a growing love for the game in this country and I am confident that footy has a great future here”, said Allison Simons, AFL South Africa National Community Development Manager

Kenyan-born Aussie, Allison Simons’ ‘sport for development’ adventure continues following her decision to head back to Australia to pursue a senior role with the Australian Sports Commission.

Allison has been involved with AFL South Africa firstly as a volunteer and more recently as National Community Development Manager since July 2006.

“It is with mixed emotions that I say farewell to AFL South Africa.  In the last four years, I have witnessed a growing love for the game in this country and I am confident that footy has a great future here”, she said this week from her Cape Town base.

“I am proud of what we have achieved so far and I will be watching closely from afar, as AFL South Africa continues to achieve fantastic results in not only the development of the game, but also in the impact it has on the lives of our participants.” added Simons.

Allison’s is an amazing story – in 1992, as a 17 year old wet behind the years, she left behind a boarding school education in London and ventured to Perth, Western Australia with no more than a 100 pounds to her name and little more than the clothes on her back. Later that year she saw her first game of AFL, when the West Coast Eagles beat the Geelong Cats in the ‘92 Grand Final – she was instantly hooked.

She spent two years travelling extensively throughout Australia picking up odd jobs where she could, before settling back into Perth as a 20 year old to pursue another passion .... archaeology – whilst studying, she played and coached footy in the local women’s competition and in 1999 represented WA at the National Championships.

A move to Melbourne to further her studies, helped further her passion for footy at the same time. With a Masters Degree and PhD under her belt, she continued to play with the Heidelberg Women’s FC in the Victorian Women’s Football Association.

It was in 2006, that a sea-change beckoned and Allison packed her bags to help develop the game in South Africa.

“During her tenure as an Aussie volunteer, Allison oversaw the development of a small Western Cape team and established what is now the country’s strongest Open age competition”, said Operations Manager Joel Kelly. “After 2 years of seniors, the competition has recently expanded to include Under 14’s, a further legacy of Allison’s tremendous work in the Western Cape”, added Kelly.

“Not only has she shown the way in Cape Town, Allison has also worked very hard to help establish both our internal monitoring and evaluation processes and the external research project being conducted in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg.  As National Community Development Manager she also established the framework for footyWILD PRIDE, which will continue to use AFL as a vehicle to improve health, education and employment outcomes for young South Africans”, said Kelly

“There is no doubt she will be sorely missed, but as one door closes, another one opens – it was pleasing to see that the local staff have already made a commitment to learn from Allison’s example and to take it upon themselves to step up to the plate, following last week’s Development Conference in Cape Town” said Kelly.

For Allison, AFL South Africa will always remain close to her heart,

“I would like to thank the AFL in Australia and all the staff and volunteers at AFL South Africa for all their support and encouragement over the years and for the opportunity to gain invaluable experience and skills that will undoubtedly be of great use to me in my new role,” she said this week in Cape Town. 

“I would also like to thank the communities of Nyanga, Khayelitsha, Gugulethu and Mitchell’s Plain who welcomed me with open arms and helped me to share my passion for footy and for community development with their communities.  None of this would have been possible without them”