HINTON APPOINTED WRFL CEO
The Western Region Football League (WRFL) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ritchie Hinton as the league’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Originally a UK qualified lawyer, Ritchie has spent the last 16 years working in the Victorian and wider Australian and international sports industries.
Previously Head of Football (Soccer) with Elite Sports Properties/TLA Worldwide, National Field Manager with Cricket Australia, and a lecturer at Masters’ level on ‘Sport, Law & Regulation’ at Victoria University, he has served as CEO of two state sports associations, Table Tennis Victoria and Baseball Victoria. He is also an elected Board Member of VicSport, the peak body for sport in Victoria working to enable the growth of a thriving Victorian sports industry.
Ritchie has a passion for using sport as a tool for social cohesion and improving physical and mental health outcomes for its participants.
Ritchie is a Western Suburbs local, having lived in the area since arriving from the UK and has been involved at a grassroots level with his local football and cricket clubs as a coach and parent volunteer.
Ritchie brings significant management experience and leadership skills to the role, as well as a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges of grassroots sports participation across a range of sports.
WRFL President Meredith Angwin said Ritchie was chosen after a comprehensive recruitment process, citing his strategic and commercial development experience as a key factor in his selection.
“The WRFL Board is delighted to welcome Ritchie as the new CEO of our league. We look forward to introducing him to our community and sponsors,” she said.
“Ritchie brings expertise and demonstrated capability to develop grassroot sports organisations and work with clubs, participants, commercial and government stakeholders to grow deep partnerships.”
“Ritchie’s experience will complement our high performing WRFL HQ team who run our football and netball league operations, work with our clubs to grow participation and manage our digital and social media presence with extensive reach across the West.”
Commenting on the appointment, Ritchie said he was keen to get started in the new role and work closely with the WRFL community.
“I am really excited to be joining the WRFL to lead such an important community sports organisation in the West,” he said.
“Our focus will be to provide as many opportunities as possible for people to play football and netball in the Western Suburbs and help our clubs be the best they can be.”
Ritchie will commence in the role from Monday, November 7, 2022.