Steve Forbes

Candidate Statement

My professional and football experience places me in a positive position to contribute to the Football Victoria board and help the organisation achieve its mission and goals. With an extensive career in technology, product development, marketing and strategy, I bring several of the key skills sought after for the director role.

Key Skills and Experience

I am a founder of a technology consultancy, leading our product innovation and customer experience practice. In my 15 year career, I have worked with some of Australia's largest organisations where I have contributed to the development of many well-known products & services. Today, I work with senior leaders on digital strategy, organisational design and culture. I help them manage enterprise technology platforms, portfolios of products and complex stakeholder landscapes.

Football Experience

I have a broad knowledge of the game having played since I was 6 years old. I grew up in a football family. My Dad was a club president and my Mum ran a canteen. As a teen, I represented Ballarat in the Country Championships as well as Country Victoria at the National Youth Championships. I played as an adult for Ballarat as well as later here in Melbourne with the Old Melburnians. I still play Futsal weekly. I've coached a youth team in the former VPL, Miniroos, as well as goalkeepers in a private academy. I have also been on the committee of a club.

I understand the different types of challenges that all these positions face. I also understand the change currently happening nationally within Football Australia, the congress, and the professional leagues.

Goals If Elected

I'm passionate about growing the game in Victoria. In particular, improving the support for regional clubs and district associations. Football in the country has unique challenges, but also many opportunities. I bring a commitment to seeing regional football grow.

I also believe that Football will benefit from greater adoption of Digital. Football is no longer just competing with the other codes. Player, Coach, and Administrator expectations increase with every new app installed on their phones. Football needs to learn how to adapt in this environment to capture attention, and deliver value off the pitch.

Digital provides a great engagement and marketing opportunity for Football Victoria. Digital can also play a big part in Grassroots clubs deepening their relationship with the community around them. But, we must enable them to capture this opportunity.

Personal Characteristics

To the Football Victoria board, I offer professional expertise and a true understanding, passion, and enthusiasm for the game. I am excited about the opportunities for Football going forward, such as the upcoming 2023 World Cup. I want to help the game reach its potential here in Victoria as well as across Australia.

I welcome the opportunity to talk with you all further to discuss the important role of a director of Football Victoria. You can contact me on 0409 517 847 at any time.

Yours Sincerely,

Steve Forbes

steve forbes