AFL Europe is the representative body for Australian Football in Europe, who support over 20 Countries across the continent to grow the game of AFL
AFL Europe's vision is to expand the sport and help implement strong frameworks throughout its member leagues.
With a strong focus on game development and event planning, we intend to provide nations across Europe with a platform of contacts, equipment and facilities to grow the game within their nation. Through events such as the Champions League, ANZAC Cup, European Championships, and Euro Cup, we are continually looking to develop the standard of football from both a qualitative and quantitative standpoint.
As a game which is foreign to much of its market in Europe, we continually strive to embrace all individuals willing to take part in the sport. With the administration repeatedly producing new projects and initiatives to promote both attendance and interest within the sport, AFL Europe remains motivated to ensure the game can prosper and progress through all male and female competitions in Europe.
PATRONS & AMBASSADORS
His Majesty, King Charles III
Patron
His Majesty, King Charles III, officially became a Patron of AFL Europe in August 2013, having developed a fondness for Australian Football after spending time at Geelong Grammar in 1966. His Majesty has a great passion for the development of young people, which contributed to his support of AFL Europe.
Bill Muirhead AM
Ambassador
Renowned adman and passionate South Australian, Bill Muirhead AM was South Australia’s 25th Agent General. In 2013, Bill became a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia, for significant service to the community of South Australia through the promotion of international trade. Bill is an Adelaide man through and through who believes there is no better place to watch footy than the Adelaide Oval.
Sir Lynton Crosby AO
Ambassador
Sir Lynton Crosby has had an esteemed career as a political strategist right around the world, having joined the Liberal Party of Australia after graduating from the University of Adelaide. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2005 for his service to Australian politics, and was knighted for his service in 2016.
Robert Champion de Crespigny AC
Ambassador
Robert Champion de Crespigny is the founder of Normandy Mining Limited and influential Australian businessman who hails from Melbourne. Having graduated from Melbourne University, Robert also spent time in football mad Perth and Adelaide during his professional career.
The Commission
Josh Philpot
Chairman
Josh became Chairman in December 2023, after serving as Deputy and Commissioner since 2020. He moved to London from Melbourne in 2017, where he worked in professional sport across several coaching and administrative roles during an eight-year stint at the Victorian Rugby Union and Melbourne Rebels and was also involved in the Melbourne Uni Blacks Australian Football team for many years. Josh has strong expertise in sport, commercialisation, and technology consultancy, supporting sporting rights holders, start-ups, agencies, and entertainment clients integrate emerging technology, digital and data opportunities into traditional commercial strategies.
Sarah Howell
Deputy Chair
Sarah found the sport of Australian Football in 2012 and having never seen or heard of it before, became instantly hooked. Sarah holds valuable experience in corporate management and volunteers in numerous roles throughout AFL England at club, league and national level. These roles include Secretary of Wimbledon Hawks, Co-Chair of AFL London, Travel and Finance Manager for Great Britain Bulldogs and Swans, as well as Treasurer of AFL England. Although she has never played the game, she is extremely passionate about building and developing the game throughout Europe.
Parri Gregory
Commissioner
Having started his career as an academic health researcher, Parri then transitioned to sporting industry operations and commercial management, working in cycling, alpine sports and, more recently, Australian Football. Parri brings extensive AFL industry experience to the Commission having spent six years working at AFL House, Melbourne, where he held leadership roles in commercial operations, consumer business, football operations, and diversity and inclusion. With particular expertise in driving industry growth across membership, ticketing, merchandise, hospitality and engagement, and combined with almost a decade of experience as a professional Tour Director based in Europe, Parri is very well-placed to contribute to the growth of Australian Football across Europe.
Dr. Graham 'Doc" Howard
Commissioner
Graham began as Community Commissioner with AFL Europe at the end of 2023. He has been an English lecturer at Kiel University in northern Germany since 2009 and has been a member of the Kiel Koalas AFC since 2022, when he also became one of the team managers for the German Eagles and the Results Officer for AFL Germany. In 2023, Graham was a member of the AFL Europe Events Sub-Committee and part of the Kiel Koalas / AFL Europe organisation team that delivered the Euro Cup. Before moving to Germany, Graham was also a manager for railway projects in New South Wales and subsequently worked as a musician, photographer, and events coordinator. He grew up in Western Sydney before AFL had taken a foothold there, and is now looking forward to helping provide opportunities for AFL players throughout Europe that he didn’t have access to when he was younger.
Carissa Turner
Commissioner
Carissa became a member of Cardiff Panthers in 2018 and has since gone on to represent South Wales Universities, Wales and GB as a player and has also been Umpiring since 2021. She began volunteering at Cardiff Panthers in 2018 and most recently served as Vice President & Treasurer from 2020-2023. She sits on organising committees for the Wales & England Women's 9s League, AFL Wales and the GB Bulldogs & Swans. Carissa also volunteered as a member of the Eligibility Committee in 2022. Carissa has further sporting experience as a former international badminton player for Wales who she represented at two Commonwealth Games before working for the National Governing Body as their Events & Marketing Officer. She now works as an Operational Services Manager, delivering projects and overseeing contracts in the Telecare sector. With a passion for providing the best service possible, problem-solving, achieving goals and a perfectionist attitude, Carissa is looking forward to helping support the further growth and development of initiatives and opportunities for AFL in Europe.
Miles Rose
Commissioner
Miles joined the AFL Europe Commission in January 2024 is currently the Commercial Director at SportsPro Media. Miles has global experience in sports marketing on all sides having previously worked with rights holders, clients and agencies. He specialises in sponsorship strategy, leveraging sponsorships via activation, business development and event management. His previous experience includes working as Commercial Director for the Tour of Britain, Regional Head of Partnerships for Ironman Oceania, Head of Business Development for Swimming Australia as well as being the European Sports Marketing Manager for Speedo. With a strong commercial background and network, Miles will look to develop strategic partnerships and drive the commercial value of AFL Europe.
Staff
Jason Pedulla
General Manager
Jason joined AFL Europe as General Manager in June 2023 and has extensive experience in the sports industry, having previously worked at Tottenham Hotspur FC within their Global Football Development department, as well as managing the talent academy at the South Fremantle Football Club for over five years prior to moving to the UK. He has an array of expertise within sports operations, program development, coaching and talent pathway departments, which will support him greatly in this role. Now based in London, Jason will head up AFL Europe operations from our central London office.