NEXT season will mark a new direction for Jamie Macri.
The Mallee Eagles coach starts up as the region’s new football development manager next month and will consequently relinquish his role at Lalbert at the end of the season.
“The job starts [next month] and I’ll finish the rest of the year [as Eagles coach]. This opportunity came along and you need to be out there supporting all the leagues and clubs — it’s Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays,” he said.
“You can’t be connected to one club.”
Macri was appointed to the AFL Victoria Country — Central Murray development role earlier this month and will finish up at Kerang Technical High School as he moves into the new Swan Hill-based position.
“I’m pretty excited to develop relationships with people and increase the development of football,” Macri said.
“I have a passion for football and the development of the sport.
“This is an exciting opportunity to support pathways and develop the game.”
Starting up a girls’ football competition at Swan Hill, implementing an Indigenous Auskick program and fostering relationships between neighbouring leagues are high on Macri’s to-do list.
“I am looking forward to the community engagement and working with the leagues, clubs and umpires,” he said.
The appointment is the first to be made relating to the new structure of the sport’s management within the district.
