Rod Ward holds the top footy job in the region – general manager of AFL Goldfields.
He’s a man that often divides opinions, but he’s got a deep love for the game that goes right back to his childhood.
Tim O’Connor spent some time with him and found out a little bit more about what makes him tick.
Tim O’Connor: Thanks for joining me, Rod. We've known each other in a professional capacity for about 10 years or so now and I've always been intrigued as to how you got to be where you are now. So, take us back to the start and through your childhood…
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Rod Ward: I grew up in Queenscliff and moved to Wedderburn during my grade six year as Dad was posted there as branch manager for the state bank. It was a wonderful childhood. We lived across the road from the footy ground, tennis courts, town pool and I played basketball, cricket, went yabbying etc. Dad was heavily involved in the local football and cricket clubs and I guess that’s how I grew up to be involved in community groups.
We moved to Bacchus Marsh in December of 1985 for my HSC year and was all set to sign for Bacchus Marsh when Dad discovered his old school mate from St Josephs in Geelong (Ian Dominguez) was coaching Darley.
I joined Darley in 1986 and played until the end of the 1998 season. From 1998 to 2002 I was secretary of the club. Professionally, I worked for Telstra in finance and administration from 1987 before taking a voluntary redundancy in 2002. And in October 2002 I was appointed as the first area manager for the VCFL for Western Victoria – covering an area from Geelong to Mt Gambier to Mildura. I thoroughly enjoyed that, but with a young family I wasn’t home too often. When the opportunity came up to apply for the Ballarat Football Netball League CEO role in October 2003, I jumped at it. This evolved into the CEO role for the Ballarat hub and now today as the regional general manager for AFL Goldfields.
TO’C: When did football come on the radar for you and was it an instant love of the game that grabbed you?
RW: I can only ever remember being involved. My grandfather was president of Queenscliff and I think I first pulled the boots on as a seven-year-old. I think I was mascot of their 1985 premiership side!
TO’C: What were some of the on-field highlights and lowlights?
RW: Premierships with Darley in 1989 and 1995 (playing alongside my brother) and some representative games were also a highlight. Losing the 1988 grand final still disappoints, but there’s no real regrets.
TO’C: What other sports have you tried your hand at along the way?
RW: Cricket, basketball and tennis – I even did several triathlons many years ago!
TO’C: You've really made a successful career out of football through administration so take us back to the start of where that journey began...
RW: As Darley entered the 1998 season, I was on the committee as the players’ representative and basically we got to February and the club was without an executive. I then contacted some respected locals and we formed a new committee. And that began my involvement in football administration. My playing career was fast coming to a halt, so it kept me involved and led to a career change that I hadn’t even contemplated.
TO’C: Whether you like it or not, you're in a polarising job and with that I'm sure plenty haven't seen eye to eye with you. What has been some of the more difficult issues you've had to tackle as head of AFL Goldfields?
RW: I am aware of that, but it is important not to personalise the negative feedback. We always try to genuinely make the decision that may be best for the game in the region, but juggling regional, league and club interests – and the welfare of staff and volunteers – can be challenging. Certainly the senior review was the most challenging period, and of late being unable to secure Smythesdale a home in the MCDFNL was very disappointing.
TO’C: According to many – including myself – the widespread senior competition review didn't yield a great deal of change. Were you disappointed with how that all played out?
RW: Yes I was. I believe that our number one priority must always be club sustainability, and I felt the growing imbalance between the stronger and struggling clubs in several competitions provided an opportunity for a restructure that would aid in the survival of several clubs which were desperate for change.
Going into the review we had 55 senior clubs spread across four competitions and I genuinely was excited at the prospect of possibly putting those 55 clubs into five more equitable competitions or divisions.
TO’C: Do you see major structural change to the leagues under your banner in the near future?
RW: The commission advised at the end of 2017 with the review announcement that it would put in place a two-year “watching brief” to see if the introduction of the points system and salary cap would lead to more equitable competitions. So that will continue until the end of the 2019 season. My personal view is that to ensure the sustainability of all clubs that change to competition structures must be inevitable, but whether that change occurs from a competition review or clubs applying to change leagues voluntarily remains to be seen.
TO’C: Do you have any major regrets from throughout your time with AFL Goldfields?
RW: My two biggest regrets were being unable to deliver structural change from the competition review, as I was aware that such change would aid in the survival of several clubs which were desperate for change. And most recently being unable to secure Smythesdale a home in the MCDFNL was very disappointing.
TO’C: What are your professional aspirations for the future?
RW: I am fortunate in that I am still passionate about my role and I genuinely love coming to work each day to work professionally with people I respect and admire. My aspirations don’t stretch beyond the next two or three years where we hope to continue to grow the game in the region and support our volunteers and those struggling clubs.
TO’C: I'm sure the role takes up many, many hours each week, but what does Rod Ward like to do when he turns the phone off and takes a break?
RW: I am a very “hands on” dad and I love spending time with my wife and three kids – most often as the taxi driver. I love gardening and reading – I often read two or three books a week.
Growing up I was a devoted backpacker who was fortunate to travel pretty extensively and I am still passionate about travel. My wife would say I am constantly planning our next trip. Spending summers as a family in our caravan in Ocean Grove is also pretty special.
TO’C: And finally, what does the future hold for you and your lovely family?
RW: Hopefully lots of travel and great experiences – there is nothing more exciting than going for a walk in a new city!