World Footy News

The Australian Football Association of North America (AFANA) is undergoing a change of leadership with Rob de Santos (Chairman) and Ann Solomon (Editor-in-Chief) leaving those roles after 13 years with the organisation.

Both have been there since the start, as AFANA has sought to promote Australian Football in North America and in particular has been a focal point for lobbying efforts to improve television coverage of AFL matches. de Santos and Solomon leave with coverage in North America in very good shape, via Setanta Sports and MHz Networks.

In a statement on their website, de Santos said, "After much deliberation and thought, Ann and I have decided that the time has come for us to move on from AFANA. We’ve both been on board since the founding in early 1996 and after 13 years, the time has come to do other things. We will step away from our roles in AFANA effective April 1st. AFANA is ready for new leadership and new ideas. It’s time for Rob to move on to work on the writing projects he has put off too long and spend time with his daughter and for Ann to start her new life in London with her Welsh husband-to-be".

No word yet as to who will fill the vacated positions, and AFANA is taking enquiries, and have said that "We don’t know yet who that will be and it is up to the other officers and members to decide".

WFN has had a good working relationship with AFANA, particularly through our contact with Rob de Santos, and we wish both Rob and Ann all the best in their new pursuits.