Goulburn Valley League has found its new operations manager, with Jo Spencer to take the reins from the outgoing Grant Wilson.
Spencer brings an array of skills across a wide range of industries to the role, having previously worked at GOTAFE as its marketing and communications officer.
She began work on Monday, taking over from Wilson who announced his resignation late last year after being in the role for more than three years.
“I'm really excited to be working with the organisation — working with the league, the board and all the clubs,” Spencer said.
“I'm really looking forward to it and looking forward to continuing to grow on the success the league has had.”
While despite working across a plethora of fields she has importantly not worked in the football and netball industry, Spencer said those sceptical of her appointment for that reason would see the light given time.
“As an outsider coming in, I understand there will be criticism from some,” she said.
“But I think once people get to know me, they'll see I give everyone a fair chance, I'm not judgmental and I'm not coming in with any pre-conceived notions of anything.
“I'm willing to listen to everyone, I'm not coming in to say ‘this is the way things are going to be’, I'm here to work collaboratively and achieve good outcomes.
“I'm not aligned to any club, I'm like Switzerland really, very neutral. I'm an open book, and I'm just looking forward to meeting with them all and finding out how I can assist them.”
Bringing experience in business, public relations, media and promotions is important, but just as crucial are Spencer's links within Shepparton, a board member and secretary at Shepparton Chamber of Commerce and Industry among her positions.
“My background is very diverse in operations across a lot of different industries,” she said.
“But I think as important as that, I'm a Shepparton girl born and bred, my family is being raised in the area, so I've continued to work within the area and we're looking to grow football and netball within that same area.
“I'm very community focused, I love the region and there's some fantastic facilities and people across all levels. I look forward to being there to facilitate the things the clubs want to do.”
Spencer said Wilson had been extremely helpful in handing over the reins and seeing her hit the ground running.