Retired AFL Chairman Passes Away

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

The football community is mourning the passing of former AFL Commission chairman Ron Evans, who passed away Friday, March 9. Evans, 67, stepped down as chairman several weeks ago due to his battle with cancer and had recently been re-admitted to the hospital  where he died Friday morning. He was first diagnosed with abdominal cancer last September.

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou said the football community would deeply miss his leadership and guidance and praised his integrity, dignity, sense of fairness, and humility. In a media statement, Demetriou said Evans' values guided his decisions and that his focus was always on the future of the game. He also said Evans had been a great mentor and inspiration to all who worked with him and that he would be missed.

Acting chairman Bob Hammond said Ron Evans' tenure as chairman stood as a model for every sports administrator in the country. He was quoted in the media release, "Ron was a wonderful man and it was a privilege to work with him. He believed it was the responsibility of every administrator to leave the game in better shape than he found it. Ron achieved that objective. Every level of the game of Australia Football has benefited from his energy, rock-solid integrity and his leadership.”

Evans' football journey began over fifty years ago and was recruited to Essendon in 1958 as a forward. He played 64 games over five seasons and kicked 210 goals with the Bombers, topping the league's goalkicking in 1959 and 1960. He then played for West Perth where he also topped the league in goalkicking. He represented both Victoria and West Australia at state level.

He was appointed Essendon chairman in 1988, a position he held until 1992. In 1993, he was appointed to the AFL Commission and became chairman in 1988, a position he held until just last month when he resigned due to his health. His time on the commission and as chairman saw a record growth of the game at all levels.

In June last year, Evans was awarded an Order of Australia for his contributions to Australian football as a player and administrator, and for his service to business and commence and to the community through his support of numerous charities.

He has been recommended by the AFL Commission for Life Membership of the AFL and the Commission is also considering a permanent memorial to Ron.

AFL Achievements Under Ron Evans as Commission Chairman:

The construction of Telstra Dome in Melbourne with AFL matches being the primary use of the venue.

Reconfiguring Telstra Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park for AFL matches. In 2003, two games at Telstra Stadium drew crowds of more than 70,000 and last year, more than 60,000 people attended the Preliminary Final between Sydney and Fremantle at the venue.

The AFL increasing its financial support to the re-development of the Olympic Stand at the MCG to provide world class facilities for supporters, players and the media.

The AFL competition has created a number of attendance records during this period including an all-time attendance record of 6.28 million people for the 2005 Season.

An all-time club membership record of 519,126 set in 2006 meaning that one in 39 Australians is a member of an AFL Club.

During the same period, national television audiences have also reached record levels with an average of some 4 million people watching AFL matches on television each week of the season.

Participation in Australian football reached a record 581,839 in 2006.

The introduction of key policies to deal with racial and religious vilification, the use of illicit drugs, and respect and responsibility towards women. The AFL was the first national sporting body to introduce such policies.

The introduction of the AFL Kickstart program for indigenous communities which not only promotes participation in Australian football but is also linked to education outcomes including attendance at school and the delivery of key healthy messages.

The introduction of community training camps during which the 16 AFL clubs visit 16 regions of Australia. During the camps in February, 2004, AFL clubs and their players visited 300 primary schools reaching 60,000 children, 75 secondary schools reaching 15,000 students, participated in superclinics for 8500 children, and visited 50 hospitals and aged care facilities.

Under his Chairmanship, the AFL Commission announced the strategy titled “Next Generation-securing the future of Australian football” in 2006 which allocates $1.4 billion to all levels of the game including the establishment of a Future Fund as security and a foundation for the game during the next 10-20 years.

The AFL securing record media rights agreements with the Seven Network, Network Ten, Foxtel, Telstra, News Limited, and various radio stations throughout Australia. Evans was Chairman of the AFL’s broadcasting sub-committee during the last two series of broadcast rights negotiations.

A strong balance sheet providing long-term security for the game.

The service will be held next Friday at St. Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne after which the family will attend a private cremation.

Source: Melbourne Age; afl.com; Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release

Essendon was the first to release a media statement regarding Ron Evans: 

Club CEO Peter Jackson said Evans had a special place in the club's history as a former player and administrator and praised his contributions to the game. Jackson also said Evans was "...a wonderful source of advice....articulate, measured, and with the good of the game front of mind."

Source: Emma Robinson, Club Media Release

The tributes to Ron Evans flowed from the football community:

From the AFLPA:
CEO Brendon Gale acknowledged Evans' contribution to the game, saying his efforts had helped grow the game into the most successful competition in Australia. He also praised Evans' commitment to the players and his support of the AFLPA and its programs of education and development of the players off the field.

Source: Jason Murnane, AFLPA Media Release

From Brisbane:
CEO Michael Bowers said Evans contributions brought him the respect of the entire football community.

Source: Sam Lord, Brisbane Media Release

From Sydney:
CEO Myles Baron-Hay described Evans as a "..gentleman" and "...a man of integrity" who was a visionary.

Source: Tara White, Sydney Media Release

From Carlton:
CEO, Michael Malouf acknowledged Evans' contributions to the game as a player and administrator who served football at all levels across the country.

Source: Ian Coutts, Carlton Media Release

From the Western Bulldogs:
Club president David Smorgon said Evans' involvement at all levels of the game made him a successful chairman of the AFL Commission. Smorgon said in part, "Ron understood the different needs of the various clubs and...the Bulldogs appreciated Ron’s understanding of a small club’s position and role within the wider AFL competition. Ron was always available to discuss matters and was always respectful, understated and displayed great empathy and care for whoever he dealt with." He went on to praise Evans' humility and concern for others.

Source: Rebecca O'Riley, Western Bulldogs Media Release

From St. Kilda:
President Ron Butterss echoed the sentiments of Brendon Gale and the AFLPA in acknowledging Evans' impact on the football industry in overseeing its growth across Australia. He said in part, "Ron always went out of his way to enquire as to the fortunes...of St Kilda...He provided great guidance, particularly during challenging periods. Ron’s unique ability to chair emotionally charged meetings with Club Presidents with dignity, purpose, clarity, and a poised leadership style will remain ingrained in us all." He said Evans' leadership, efforts, contributions, and success in business and football provided an example for everyone as to how things should be done.

Source: Georgie Fidge, St. Kilda Media Release

From the Kangaroos:
Club chairman Graham Duff said the game would be indebted for Evans' services as both a player and administrator.

Source: Matt Harrington, Kangaroo Media Release

From Fremantle:
Club president Rick Hatt echoed the sentiments of many others, saying that Evans' was not only a great leader and servant of the AFL but a "remarkable individual" as well. He, like St. Kilda president Ron Butterss, said Evans had been a great help to himself and the Dockers during some difficult times and used the old football cliche that the game would be poorer without him.

Source: Keith Black, Fremantle Media Release

From West Coast:
Club chairman Dalton Gooding also praised Evans' leadership and humility and said he always showed great fairness in dealing with the club. He said in part, ""It was a great privilege to not only have worked with him, but to also have grown to know him. He was an inspiration...as well as a guiding light and a very dear friend." He went on to say that Evans would be missed on a professional and personal level.

Source: Gary Stocks, West Coast Media Release

From Richmond:
Club president Gary March also praised Evans' contributions, integrity, and fairness, saying said Evans was respected throughout football. He commended Evans as being a mentor to many people at Richmond and said he was "...a true gentleman, who will be sorely missed."

Source: Glynis Smalley, Richmond Media Release

From Hawthorn president:
Jeff Kennett: Kennett noted Evans' success in business and said he applied those same high standards and values to his AFL leadership. He also said Evans' legacy would not be forgotten and echoed St. Kilda president Ron Butterss' sentiments that the standards Evans set should remain.

Source: Sarah Kalaja, Hawthorn Media Release

From Geelong:
Club president Frank Costa praised Evans, especially the support he provided during the club's financial difficulties. He said Evans' love for the game showed in his decisions. He also praised Evans' contributions to the community in general.

Source: Kevin Diggerson, Geelong Media Release

From Port Adelaide:
Club president Greg Boulton also praised Evans as a gentleman "...of high integrity..." and "...great vision for football at all levels." He said Evans was the sort of person who would take time to talk to gate attendants as well as the Prime Minister and said the club appreciated the help Evans provided when Port first entered the league 10 years ago. He also said Ron had left a lasting legacy and would be a big loss.

Source: Hitaf Rasheed, Port Adelaide Media

From Adelaide:
Club chairman Bill Sanders said Evans "...led with modesty and grace, but....a firmness that gave confidence to those around him." He continued that it had been a privilege to have been associated with him and that all at the club had the utmost admiration and respect for him.

Source: David Burtenshaw, Adelaide

Other tributes:

Prime Minister John Howard said Evans was friendly man with an "....infectious love of infectious love of Australian football."

Essendon Coach Kevin Sheedy said Evans had been an excellent mentor and a "...beautiful person".

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said Evans was not only a mentor to him, but a hero as well and that his impact on football could not be underestimated."

Former AFL CEO Wayne Jackson said Evans was a great man.

Channel Seven chairman Kerry Stokes said he felt a "...deep sense of personal loss" at the passing of his friend and would miss being able to speak with him.

Source: Melbourne Age

Finally, from Ron's widow Andrea:
“As a family, we are very proud of what Ron has been able to achieve in business, football and the broader community." She thanked everyone for the support provided during Ron's illness, which she said provided great comfort to herself and the family. She said, despite his public success, his greatest strength was as a family man - husband, father, and grandfather.

Source: Michelle Clyne, AFL Media Release