“It gives me pleasure that AFLSA has created this role that will help support the participation program in all four provinces that we working in, It’s  truly a great initiative. In the process after being promoted to this role, it opened up opportunities for people to grow into” said July Machethe,  AFL South Africa National Participation Manager

Newly appointed  July Machethe is a South African success story worth telling.

July came to AFL South Africa in 2005 following a prior history as a volunteer at South African NGO, SCORE (Sport Coaches Outreach). At SCORE, July helped introduce a number of sports to disadvantaged areas in the North West Province and it was here that he was first introduced to AFL through Dayle Alsford, the first Australian Volunteers International helper to lend a hand for the AFL in South Africa – the year was 2002.

July spent three years with SCORE before making the shift to AFL South Africa.

With the launch of the footyWILD program in 2007, July was appointed as the North West Provincial Development Manager, overseeing a small team of field staff in places like Vryburg, Mafikeng, Rustenburg and Potchesfstroom.

In that capacity, July was able to instill a strong ‘reward for effort’ philosophy amongst his staff and volunteers producing consistent participation outcomes and a solid work ethic in his Province.

“His recent management of the Flying Boomerangs and AIS / AFL Academy tours to South Africa was a real indicator that July is well and truly ready for the next step in a National position and I’m sure everyone agrees that this is an opportunity that is thoroughly deserved,” said Operations Manager Joel Kelly.

“July is a great example of hard work reaping reward – he has raised the bar on standards in the North West and we are confident he will have an enormous impact in his new role nationally,” said Kelly.

Not wasting any time, July has hit the ground running by conducting site visits to all four Provinces to get a better understanding of how the staff and volunteers operate in each area.

“It gives me pleasure that AFLSA has created this role that will help support the participation program in all four provinces that we working in, It’s  truly a great initiative. In the process after being promoted to this role, it opened up opportunities for people to grow into” said July Machethe

July’s replacement in the North West is Oupa Motlhankane, another volunteer who has worked his way through the system to become a Provincial Development Manager.

“Having this opportunity really shows the faith that the company has in me to be amongst the people to grow this new game that roars within our rainbow nation” said Oupa.