The Bendigo Bank Maryborough Castlemaine District FNL regrettably announces that on Tuesday 25th February, Peter Kerr announced to the MCDFNL Executive that he would be standing down from his position as MCDFNL President, effective immediately.
Kerr, who has been President since 2012 when he took over from Troy Driscoll after serving as league Vice-President, stated increasing work commitments as his reason for vacating the Presidency.
Kerr has had a long and storied footballing history, not just with the MCDFNL, but throughout country Victoria. He played his first game of senior football as a 17 year old with Ouyen in 1977, and finished his senior footballing career 30 years later with the Newstead FNC. In between, he had playing stints (in no particular order) with Kyneton, Castlemaine, Mount Waverley, Nandally, Golden Square, Hepburn and Trentham, as well as coaching Hepburn, Newstead and Trentham
Whilst in the President’s chair, Kerr oversaw some dramatic changes to the MCDFNL and its structure which, in his opinion, have helped to strengthen the league overall.
“Looking back, the most pleasing aspect has been the increased strength of the league over the last few years”, Kerr said.
“The way the new sides [that came over from the Lexton Plains league] have integrated and the way that clubs worked together to introduce the Under 12 competition last year showed that the league is quite strong and clubs are willing to work together”.
“As President, I very much benefitted from the work of Troy Driscoll before me, and to see him as part of the new AFL Goldfields commission is exciting for the future of the league”.
MCDFNL Operations Manager Scott Carey, who started in his role with the MCDFNL in the same year that Kerr took on the Presidency, praised Kerr for his work as league President.
“Peter has done a tremendous job as MCDFNL President, and it’s going to be hard to find someone with as much footballing knowledge and passion as him”, Carey mentioned.
“The MCDFNL will miss the leadership of Peter Kerr, there’s no doubt about it, but the legacy that he has left will help smooth the path for whoever takes over as President”.
AFL Goldfields Regional General Manager Rod Ward was also glowing in his praise for Kerr, having worked alongside him as head of the MCDFNL’s administration team since Kerr joined the Executive.
“Peter’s leadership skills and appreciation and knowledge of grass roots football is something that won’t be easy to replace”, Ward commented.
“His great leadership, combined with always strategically looking to do what was best for the league leaves a strong legacy for Peter Kerr as a person, and I’m sure that the MCDFNL community will join me in wishing him well for the future”.
Kerr won’t be lost to the MCDFNL though, as he still plans on taking in a few games throughout the season wherever his work schedule allows to enjoy the games and catch up with friends.
“One of the most pleasing aspects [of my time with the league] is the friendships that I’ve made, I can find someone at most clubs that I can have a friendly chat with and I look forward to continuing these friendships going forward”, Kerr said.
The MCDFNL will now look for someone to serve as President going forward. At this stage, there’s no official timeline about when a decision will be made as to Kerr’s replacement.
Last Modified on 28/02/2014 11:41