AFL Asia is pleased to announce that Rob Spurr and Rod White have been re-elected to the AFL Asia Advisory Board (AAAB) for 2023 and will be joined by Judy Gao.

The appointments are the result of a month-long process where AFL Asia accepted nominations from across the globe. AFL Asia is excited to welcome Judy to the community and continue working with Rob and Rod. The Board is confident that the future of AFL Asia is in very capable and passionate hands.

Judy, Rob and Rod will serve a two-year term, through to the conclusion of the 2023 season.

Judy Gao responded to her appointment with delight.

“It’s my great honour to serve AFL clubs located in over 20 countries in Asia with my strong Asia capabilities and board governance skills, along with my deep seated passion on AFL and international relations”.

AFL Asia Development Manager and Chair of the AAAB, Simon Highfield, is pleased with how the 2023 Advisory Board has taken shape.

“AFL Asia is excited to welcome Judy onto the Board, and humbled with the reappointments of Rob and Rod to the Advisory Board. It is a credit to all three individuals, and recognition that our AFL Asia community value what they can bring to these positions, and how they can contribute to the growth and development of Australian football across Asia. We are confident that the Board will be able to take this on and get the job done.

“There was an extraordinary response to the nomination process once again. I’d like to thank all of the nominees, and I look forward to continuing to work with them through all things football in Asia”, Highfield said.

Existing AAAB Members Grant Dooley and Matt Gale will serve the remaining year of their two-year terms in 2023, which shapes to be an important year for the region as it plans to continue the post-COVID recovery. The AAAB vows to continue working to explore opportunities to develop football in the region.