APL appoints three new executives for commercial and marketing

Liam Watson

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) have appointed three new senior executives who will develop a commercial and marketing function to be part of the APL’s ambitious growth strategy.

All three personnel have had extensive experience in marketing related to sport and global organisations, bringing across new ideas to promote the game.

Ryan Sandilands is set to be the APL’s first Commercial Director, tasked with supercharging the commercial and operational capabilities of the APL and club commercial teams. Sandilands is a sports and entertainment industry veteran of 20 years, having led commercial growth and strategic planning for companies such as Cirque du Soleil, Women’s Tennis Association, City Football Group and AEG.

Rob Nolan will lead the marketing and data operations function, as APL focusses on a new future about how it engages with football fans on a one-to-one basis. Nolan brings over 20-years of global marketing experience from six countries, including Kayo Sports, News Corp and iflix, one of south-east Asia’s biggest entertainment subscription VOD services. Nolan has also spent time building data capability to fuel growth with data agency Digital Alchemy and various telcos including Virgin Mobile, Vodafone and O2 in the UK.

Stacey Knox joins the APL marketing team to overhaul their operational capability to prepare the execution of the APL’s ambitious direct-to-consumer strategy. Knox has more than two decades of experience in global marketing organisations and agencies, including the Coca-Cola Company, News Limited and Inchcape. She’s also a coach and mentor to industry bodies and not-for-profit organisations.

“This team is here to innovate and supercharge the commercial and marketing capabilities of the APL as we realise our reinvention as a leading football entertainment company,” APL Chief Commercial Officer Ant Hearne said.

“We’re seeing the most entertaining football on the pitch and it’s our job to take that directly to fans with a world class fan experience and content offering.”

These new appointments add to the recently announced Managing Director Danny Townsend, Leagues Commissioner Greg O’Rourke, Chief Commercial Officer Ant Hearne, Strategy and Digital Director Michael Tange, and Deputy Commissioner Tracey Scott in the APL leadership group.

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Football QLD to team up with Restore Function Physiotherapy

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Football Queensland announced last week it will be partnering with Restore Function Physiotherapy in a multi-year collaboration.

Elite preparation and performance

By establishing a long-term partnership with a business dedicated to supporting athletes in the region, Football Queensland are showing their commitment to supporting current and future players in their physical preparation.

Furthermore, by ensuring injuries are kept at bay through physiotherapy, strength and conditioning services, Restore Function Physiotherapy will help Football Queensland to keep their most talented players fit and firing throughout the season.

Football Queensland CEO, Robert Cavallucci, expressed his delight at establishing the alliance and what it means for Football Queensland’s football development going forward.

“Our partnership with Restore Function Physiotherapy is a key step in continuing to raise the standard of FQ Academy and State Team programs,” Cavallucci said via press release.

“Restore Function Physiotherapy will deliver a range of services across our boys’ and girls’ pathways, including training and match coverage, injury screening, rehabilitation and high performance support,” he continued.

“The experience everyone at Restore Function Physiotherapy bring from elite sport will help to further professionalise our programs and support the long-term development and wellbeing of Queensland players.”

 

Supporting long-term development

As Football Queensland looks to build a sustainable footballing future across the region, prioritising players’ health will be essential. With training partners like Restore Function Physiotherapy, clubs can help their players become elite athletes, ultimately improving the footballing standards on the pitch.

Restore Function Physiotherapy Owner and Founder, Miranda O’Hara, revealed her pride at having established an alliance with Football QLD for the upcoming season and beyond.

“We’re proud to partner with Football Queensland and support its Academy and State Team players with high quality, evidence-based physiotherapy and high performance programs,” O’Hara said via press release.

“Our role is to work closely with players and staff to deliver injury prevention, rehabilitation and S&C programs that support sustainable high performance and long-term athlete development.”

It is clear that the impact of a partnership between Football QLD and Restore Function Physiotherapy goes far beyond a mere commercial venture. It is an alliance which can help a local business, as well as nurture future talents coming through the Football QLD system.

Ultimately, by providing Queensland players with elite training and support networks, a distinct culture of excellence and professionalism is created before they step onto the pitch.

 

Read more about Restore Function Physiotherapy and the services they provide here.

 

Who are the Key Speakers at the 2026 FV Club Administrator Conference?

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Football Victoria (FV) has confirmed the expert lineup for the 2026 Club Administrator Conference, set to take place at The Home of The Matildas on Saturday, 7 February.

While the annual forum remains a staple of the pre-season calendar, the 2026 edition arrives against a backdrop of increasing administrative complexity for the state’s grassroots ecosystem. Consequently, this year’s schedule moves beyond standard networking to prioritise specific subject matter experts who address three distinct pressure points: digital transition, infrastructure investment, and operational risk management.

Digital and Infrastructure Strategy

For club administrators, the immediate operational focus remains the integration of the new Dribl platform. However, FV’s Head of Government Relations & Strategy, Lachlan Cole, drives the broader strategic conversation.

Cole dissects the Facilities Strategy 2025-2035 during the “Level The Playing Field” session. Crucially, a bipartisan panel featuring Parliamentary Friends of Football Co-Conveners Anthony Cianflone MP and John Pesutto MP joins him. With the 2026 state election looming, their involvement offers clubs a rare mechanism to understand how to leverage political support for infrastructure funding.

Risk and Compliance

The burden of compliance on volunteers remains a central theme. Tom Dixon, National Manager at Play by the Rules, confronts the tightening regulatory environment regarding member protection. Dixon delivers a technical breakdown on complaints management, specifically targeting the tangible liability risks that volunteer boards face.

Moreover, Outside the Locker Room CEO Todd Morgan turns the lens toward the psychosocial environment. Morgan presents frameworks for managing mental well-being, equipping administrators with the tools to navigate high-pressure sporting contexts.

Further strengthening the governance focus, FV Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Project Manager Sophie Byrnes outlines the organisation’s new DEI Framework. Her session examines how clubs embed these standards into core business operations rather than treating them as peripheral activities. This structural approach finds a complement in Tarik Bayrakli. Bringing seven years of development experience, Bayrakli presents the ‘A.W.E.S.O.M.E.’ framework, a systematic methodology designed to help committees move beyond simple punitive measures and address club culture at the source.

Ultimately, this speaker lineup represents a shift from general club development to specific technical upskilling, reflecting the professionalisation required of modern volunteer committees.

 

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