AFL Western District is set to undergo another restructure with Jason Muldoon taking over as Regional Manager for the region as well as overseeing AFL Goldfields.

The Hamilton resident has been at AFL Wimmera Mallee for the past nine years in a variety of roles, with Muldoon set to start in the new role on March 28.

He said he was excited to get stuck into a new role and work in a more local environment.

“It has been a pretty quick process, AFL Victoria announced a re-structure a month ago and it obviously went through a process,” Muldoon said.

“They advertised the roles and it was probably at that point I thought I’d been at AFL Wimmera Mallee for nine years and looked at it and thought it might be time to take another opportunity.

“I am under no illusions that this is a very big role, but I think that is what excites me the most.

“It is an opportunity for me to continue my career with AFL Victoria and expand my horizons.

“I am coming from managing two leagues to 11 or 12.

“I am not daunted, more excited than anything.”

Not only will the new role expand geographically, but it will also shift Muldoon away from operational duties and give him a different range of things he will do.

He said it will be more about being the connection between leagues, regions and AFL Victoria.

“My role is predominantly dealing with the commissions and advisory committees, then a bit of club development as well,” he said.

“Obviously I live in Hamilton and keep an eye on what is happening in the region.

“The education I have received from AFL Wimmera Mallee has been invaluable and hopefully I can bring some learnings with me into the new role.”

Coming out of two drastically different football years, due to COVID, Muldoon said there were certainly areas he would prioritise to ensure communities bounced back as well as possible.

“I think it is the sustainability of leagues, with COVID and not having footy in 2020 and reduced season in 2021, it has re-enforced just how important teams are to communities,” he said.

“So just making sure there are still opportunities and making the leagues and game accessible to everyone will be important.

“It will be a matter of working with (leagues) and I will be the conduit between AFL Victoria and those leagues.

:Certainly it is a collaborative approach and they are very successful with what they do, it won’t be me coming in and overruling them or anything.”

As a result of Muldoon’s appointment, Matthew Ross will conclude his official duties as AFL Western District on March 25, completing other tasks up until the end of May.

Ross said he was glad to have played an important role guiding leagues through what has been a difficult period for the game at community level.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time leading the region’s footballing community,” he said.

“It has been one of the most challenging periods for the sport in its history and I’m proud of the fact that clubs, leagues and umpiring associations have come out the other side in reasonable shape.

“I will be assisting with transition of the region and also completing a number of project related tasks until my last day with the AFL on May 27.”

Jock Whiting will also finish in his football development manager role, with Alicia Drew filling the newly formed participation coordinator role in its place within the new structure.