The AFL New Zealand Board is made up of seven directors. Four are appointed by the AFL and three are elected by the voting members at the Annual General Meeting.
Bernard Saundry brings with him a wealth of experience within the sporting landscape and an important skill set that will benefit AFL New Zealand.
With over 14 years’ experience as a CEO and a demonstrated capacity to manage and develop key commercial outcomes in a multi stakeholder environment, he has successfully managed business outcomes across Racing Victoria, RV Media, Seven West Media, Radio Sports Network, Racing Australia, TABCORP Joint Venture, VicRacing Pty Ltd and Thoroughbred Racing Productions.
Currently Chief Executive Officer of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing based in Wellington, Mr Saundry has held similar positions with reputable organisations including the Western Bulldogs Football Club and Racing Victoria.
His extensive experience in New Business Development in both digital and Free to Air TV broadcast platforms will be of great benefit to AFL New Zealand.
Michael is a former St Kilda and Fitzroy AFL player, and former St Kilda CEO and Director.
Now a prominent Melbourne business entrepreneur, Michael brings a lifetime of football and business experience to the AFL New Zealand board.
His appointment was based on his depth of successful business experience, management style and background with both the game and the club.
The St Kilda Football Club was involved in the first ever international AFL fixture hosted by the city of Wellington in 2013 with two further matches scheduled in the following years.
Following on from this and his election on to the New Zealand Board in 2015, Michael has been impressed with the board’s commitment and efforts to develop the game within New Zealand and looked forward to an exciting future and the challenges that lay ahead.
Andrew McKenzie has played AFL in NZ for over twenty years, firstly in Wellington for the Saints and then in Auckland for Mt Roskill and Auckland. He has three sons who have also played the game within New Zealand, two being members of the New Zealand men’s team.
He has assisted AFL New Zealand initially as an independent member of the Risk and Finance Committee and has now served on the AFL New Zealand Board as an Elected Director for six years.
He has over twenty years of senior executive experience in both corporate and operational roles within organisations that have had provision and support of sporting bodies as part of their roles.
He has an extensive range of contacts in both the private and public sectors that will be relevant to AFL New Zealand, including within Sporting bodies and facility providers.
Andrew is currently CE of government organisation Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities.
Adelaide based, Ms McNally is an experienced, executive-level marketer who has worked with major brands in Australia and New Zealand with an emphasis on the media, entertainment, hospitality and telecommunications industries.
Most recently, Ms McNally held the role of Chief Marketing Officer at SkyCity Entertainment Group in Auckland, New Zealand and prior to that she was Chief Marketing Officer at New Zealand Media & Entertainment (NZME). Her professional experience also includes a 14-year career with News Corp Australia, Australia’s leading multi-media organisation. Ms McNally is a passionate marketer with specific skills in the areas of brand strategy, retail marketing, communications, customer experience, digital and social.
Previous governance roles held by Ms McNally include being trustee of the Farmers Santa Parade (2015-2020) and as a non-executive director on the board of Restaurant Hub (2016-2017).
Ms McNally was appointed Deputy Chair of AFL New Zealand in 2021.
Chris Mundell is currently the National Sport Development Manager at Tennis NZ after recently transitioning from his role as Game Development Manager at Auckland Rugby
Mundell has over 10 years of experience working in New Zealand sport leadership roles primarily in tennis, cricket and rugby. His sports sector experience also includes leading the creation and alignment of High Performance, RSO, and Community level strategies.
In his role with Auckland Rugby he lead the design and implementation of a new Game Development Framework and strategic implementation of initiatives in the areas of coaching, participant development and female participation.
He also has a strong background in coaching, with 20 years of experience coaching both tennis and AFL. Serving as the current Head Coach of the New Zealand Falcons, Chris has bought a wealth of knowledge into the local game at all levels.
Mundell’s vast experience of AFL in New Zealand and his work around Game Development within different sports, make him an asset to AFL New Zealand and it’s work to grow the game across the country
Chris resides in Auckland and most recently held the role as Chief Executive of Regional Facilities Auckland.
His role was responsible for attraction and delivery of events and exhibitions across sports, entertainment, arts, culture and conservation to enrich life in Auckland. The portfolio included Mt Smart, Western Springs & North Harbour Stadiums, Auckland Zoo, Auckland Live, Auckland Conventions and Auckland Art Gallery.
Chris has a full understanding of the strategic direction of sport in New Zealand and more particularly the opportunity for AFL to further develop this exciting code.
Over the last 20 years as a Chief Executive operating with and on Boards, he has had a direct input into the governance and strategic direction that has supported the growth and development of those organisations.
He has a lifelong interest in sport, particularly AFL. Additionally, experience in sports administration, events and facilities investment and management, including his current role as Chief Executive of Regional Facilities Auckland, as well as General Manager of Launceston City Council. He was also Finance Director of the World Rowing Championships held in Australia.
Mr Summers currently serves as Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director, Executive Director of AVJennings Ltd.
In September 1995, Mr Summers was appointed Chief Financial Officer, becoming Finance Director of AVJennings in August 1998. He was appointed Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company on 19 February 2009. Mr Summers has extensive experience in general and financial management as well as mergers and acquisitions.
Mr Summers served as President of the St Kilda Football Club for five years including a time period that saw them play Premiership matches in New Zealand from 2013 to 2015. Having spent a maximum cumulative term of nine years as a Director at St Kilda Football Club, Peter has been a member of the St Kilda Football club for over 50 years. His attributes are valued for the integrity, leadership and the stability he has brought to the club.
Mr Summers strong legacy included the successful return of St Kilda to its home in Moorabbin and a $50 million state of the art facility when fully completed. Backed by community football partners, the state government, the AFL and a donor-funded groundswell, Summers led the once seemingly impossible task of ensuring the return to Linton St was financially viable. Years of work towards this goal culminated in St Kilda ultimately shifting its operations and training base back to Linton St from Seaford in March, 2018.
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