Nigro hops into top role

THE Anglesea Football Netball Club will have a familiar face leading the club off the field in 2024, with former senior coach Paul Nigro taking over as club president.

Mr Nigro was elected at the club’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in November, taking over from Jamie McKenzie who has stepped down due to travel commitments after a four-year tenure.

The incumbent president is a board member of the Community Bank Surf Coast, co-owns the Anglesea News and Lotto and is a former senior football coach at St Albans, Belmont and three major clubs in Melbourne.

Mr Nigro said it was an honour to be elected as the president of such a “proud and inclusive” club.

“Over the six years, the club has been very good to me, particularly during my senior coaching tenure,” he said.

“I just felt the time of transition was right. Jamie had said he needed a break, and it seemed a terrific fit for me.

“Given my network with the governing football bodies and other teams, it gave me more confidence I could do it [the president role] the diligence it needs.

“As well as the football history, having run our own business for over 20 years, I’d like to believe I have strong business accruement and have an eye for detail and accuracy.

“The club is in a great position and fortunately I’m the next leader to steer the ship.”

Mr Nigro said he has a series of goals and visions for the club in 2024 and beyond, however much will hinge on the details surrounding AFL Barwon’s competition structure proposal.

“There certainly will be a couple of changes, but our coaching staff and most of the rest is already very stable,” he said.

“Most of it will be the transition into 2025 and what AFL Barwon deem to be right or wrong moving forward.

“Whether the competition changes direction will certainly impact on how things go. There is a fair bit happening behind the scenes with it.

“Maintaining the wellbeing, structures, fixtures and looking after the Anglesea community will always be at the forefront.

“We want to embrace everyone as a whole and for who they are.”

Joining Mr Nigro as new additions to the committee will be Marie Mirkovic, Sam Zitta and Paula Fowler who will join all existing committee members.

“My philosophy is if volunteers come a knocking, then always welcome them,” he said.

“I’m open to ideas, innovation, criticism and I look forward to forming a really great team with those who are keen to get their hands dirty.”