Harwood resigns from AFL Barwon role

THE region’s leading sports body has announced the surprise resignation of its regional manager only seven months after he took up the role.

Bruce Harwood today (Monday, May 30) handed in his resignation to AFL Barwon  effective immediately. He was appointed to the position in October of last year.

In a statement issued by AFL Barwon, Harwood’s tenure has ended as a result of personal family reasons.

 “It is with regret I tender my immediate resignation from the AFL Barwon Region Manager position,” Harwood said.

“This is due to personal family reasons.

“I want to thank AFL Barwon for the opportunity afforded me and wish them all the best for the remainder of the season.”

AFL Barwon chair Craig Keating thanked Harwood for his efforts as regional manager after leading local competitions out of some of the harshest times brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“On behalf of AFL Barwon and all of our stakeholders I would like to thank Bruce for his work as Region manager,” Keating said.

“The return to play after two severely impacted years during the Covid lockdowns has been very challenging for all of our team and their families.

“We wish Bruce and his family well in their future endeavours.”

Harwood’s departure is the latest in a slew of AFL Barwon resignations following the recent exits of former operations manager Nathan Ervin, football manager Sean Atkinson and commercial partnerships manager Georgia Hillman.

Short-term options to replace Harwood will take place in the “coming days” in order to continue supporting AFL Barwon’s staff.