By David Gold
July 6 – Damien de Bohun has been appointed as the new head of the Hyundai A-League, taking on the role vacated by Lyall Gorman.
Gorman is now the executive chairman of Western Sydney Wanderers, the newly formed team joining the A-League this season after the expulsion of Gold Coast United.
De Bohun (pictured above) has been with Cricket Australia as their game and market development general manager since 2005 and was previously involved with the Victoria Football Federation and as the operations manager of the A-League.
“Damien has a wonderful mix of senior executive experience in the sports industry and a life-long passion for football,” said Football Federation of Australia (FFA) chief executive Ben Buckley.
“His recent professional focus on game and market development is particularly relevant for the A-League and FFA’s strategic objective to connect with the grassroots and convert participants into fans.
“I’m delighted to have secured a high-calibre executive in Damien.
“I know he has the right skills, energy and football administrative knowledge to implement our goals for a stable and sustainable A-League.”
De Bohun will start his new role in August, and said he is excited by the challenge of taking on the post.
“Football has always been a big part of my life as a player, coach and referee,” he said.
“More recently, some of my most enjoyable experiences have been coaching our son’s junior sides and watching the next generation of boys and girls develop a love for football.
“But it’s the professional challenge of managing the Hyundai A-League that has me most excited about the new role.
“I think the current structure of the A-League provides a very solid foundation to build on the growth in attendances, television audiences and memberships last season and I can’t wait to get started.”
De Bohun will hope that his first season at the helm is not as difficult as the one Gorman (pictured above) experienced last year, when the league were affected by a dispute with Newcastle Jets, as well as the row with Gold Coast United, both of which are now over.
Having managed to keep together a 10-team league the FFA and A-League will be optimistic that calmer waters are ahead.
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