Capital Football have confirmed that Samantha Farrow is the new Chief Executive Officer, effective from Monday, February 12.
Samantha arrives in Canberra with nearly 10 years’ experience as CEO at Surf Life Saving NT, previously, Samantha held key talent identification positions at the Australian Sports Commission in the lead up to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Despite her lesser involvement in football, Farrow has experience in sports administration and community engagement as well as working closely with key stakeholders to build significant growth and improvements to the organisations she has worked for.
Samantha Farrow explained that she has a huge role to play in the potential growth of football in the capital.
“I would describe myself as an open approachable person, with a strong belief in community who loves to pursue a challenge. I know the task ahead is one that holds a great deal of interest to so many participants and supporters of the game here in ACT. I look forward to making a positive contribution to all involved,” she said in a Capital Football statement.
Capital Football chair, Angelo Konstantinou expressed his excitement at the new appointment and fresh start for Capital Football.
“We are delighted to have Samantha leading the office into the next exciting chapter. There’s so much going on, and so much to look forward too.” he added in a statement.
“We can’t wait to work alongside Samantha as the game continues to grow in the region. The Board would like to thank David Palywoda and the Capital Football staff who continued to remain committed to the running the office and all our functions under difficult circumstances over the past few months, we are grateful to them all.”
A huge task for Farrow will be the completion of the Home of Football in Throsby. On the 22nd of July, 2023, the Estate Development Plan for the $33.5 million Throsby Home of Football project was approved. Construction is scheduled to start in 2024 and the delays it has experienced so far since its initial plan in 2019 has been a big issue for Canberra United’s recruitment and the state’s football development.
Canberra United, who currently sit last in the A-League Women’s competition, are the only professional football team in the state and they currently play their home games in McKellar Park before they eventually move into Throsby.
Farrow will also have to weigh up the prospect of putting in another bid for a capital expansion team in the A-League Men’s competition after Auckland edged them out of the latest spot last November.
This appointment could certainly prove to be a substantial one and the federation has opted to go with Farrow’s experience to steer the ship and help football significantly grow in the state on all levels.
