Lina Messina
Candidate Statement
For most of us, the love of the global game of football has been life-long endeavour. I first developed my passion as a young child, cheering on my Papa’s knee from the couch or standing beside him at our local pitch. My Papa and the love of sport taught me strategy, culture, determination and social connection – skills that have carried me through life’s many challenges to be the person I am today.
My name is Lina Messina, and I want to give back to a sport that has given me so much joy, passion and learning. I firmly believe that I will bring a wealth of attributes to the board table and the broader football community, which also must include regional clubs.
Firstly, I am a long-time passionate football follower, involved with and lover of grass roots local clubs, and a keen observer of our beloved Socceroos and the Matildas. I am adamant that their continued success is important to our national pride and I know that their success is built on the framework of grassroots football.
Profile:
As a strong leader, I have been a positive change agent, successfully and strategically guiding organisations through many roles including;
✓ Mayor of the City of Darebin ‘21
✓ Audit Risk Committee Member
✓ Chair of the Local Government Waste Forum
✓ Executive Member of the Melbourne Transport Forum
✓ Director of Melbourne Innovation Centre
✓ Property Accountant & Franchise Manager Roger David Stores
✓ Occupational Health & Safety Manager
✓ Multicultural Regional Advisory Member
✓ Reservoir Revitalisation Board Member
✓ Founder, Director CEO of Feminae
My Philosophy
I believe that grass roots sports like football bring values, richness to our youth, families and communities. Participation and social connection is critical and fosters inspiration, empowerment to the disadvantaged. The essence of the Football Federation is to provide members, it’s valued volunteers, players and the community the ability to access support to ensure the whole sporting economy thrives. Success is not only measured on field performance. Investment must include mental and social health as well as addressing environmental infrastructure that is fast becoming the corner stone to the success of football in an integrated community. We must strive to ensure that our beloved game promotes and provides a football culture that is focussed on enjoyment and fairness for all players regardless of ability, age or gender and continues to be community grass roots based and is affordable for all.
A clear, forward thinking strategy is crucial to the ongoing viability and relevance of the Football Federation. The Board needs to develop a stronger long-term strategic direction in the new chapter, tackle the vexed issue of membership affordability and participation, incentivise clubs to grow, invest and create cultures that foster collaboration, engagement, and success in a competitive environment.
The development of a stronger local and national identity in the face of fierce competition from other sports codes must address;
✓ Membership affordability
✓ Incentivising clubs to develop the growth of players and further address inclusivity
✓ Investment in coaching
✓ Developing a culture between all the clubs that harness collaborative success off the field
✓ Navigation within the three tiers of government to plan and fund the future of training and playing infrastructure.
What I offer:
Coupled with a passion for community advocacy and a background in the development of strategic visions, my work as Mayor has given me a thorough understanding of how to achieve results when dealing with the three tiers of government, which is crucial to extending the success of football.
Every code and sports clubs are pitching for and working on improvements during tough economic times and we need to be creative, clever and strategic on how we achieve ours. Submissions for grants are crucial to the success of our sport during its current building phase. As the Mayor of Darebin and my years of experience as a councillor prior, I can successfully navigate through the complexities of government policies, legislation, services, grants and funding agreements. My leadership style is courageous and progressive, a visionary who continually make things happen by pushing the boundaries to achieve outcomes. As a female independent in a political powerhouse like Darebin City Council, my strong leadership strength that lead me to become Mayor is the same strength that I will bring to the Federation.
Opportunities:
The world game has expanded in Victoria and we need to focus on a junior system that develops long term players whilst continuing to focus on growing participation in all formats of the game, on all levels. The on-field success of the Matildas, the announcement of the new home of the Matildas, coupled with Australia hosting the Women’s FIFA World Cup Soccer 2023 will all serve to increase female participation in sport. As the Founder of Feminae and a community leader, I understand the importance of female empowerment and social change. It is critical to the future of football and most importantly for youth development.
I recognise the benefits and challenges of environmental infrastructure. Victoria is growing and as we grow our population and house density increases, putting pressure on allocation of recreational spaces to sports grounds. We need to be bold and ambitious with our vision. The level of major investment in effort and resources over many years. As the gap of supply and demand widens, we need to be clever about our use of space and consider options like the vertical playing infrastructure we see overseas.
I bring to this nomination my passion and determination, underpinned by leadership to ensure the global game in Victoria continues to thrive through a collaborative decision-making process, good governance and strategic vision. Football is a great game. It is quintessential you elect the right people whose concerns are for the game for your sons and your daughters for generations to come.
LINA MESSINA
(m) 0488 444 744