GWS GIANTS Chief Operating Officer to head Stadiums Tasmania

August 18, 2023

The Tasmanian Government has announced that James Avery has been appointed as the inaugural Chief Executive of its Stadiums Tasmania agency.

Appointed after a nationwide search, Avery will move into the new role having spent eight years as Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive of the GWS GIANTS Football Club.

Announcing that Avery brings extensive leadership experience in organisational governance, government relations, corporate affairs and communications, commercial partnerships, strategy and brand building to the role, Tasmanian Minister for Stadia and Events, Nic Street advised “James Avery is the perfect fit for the role of CEO of Stadiums Tasmania, and his business acumen, skills and significant AFL experience will be invaluable as we progress our stadia agenda.”

“Together with the Chair and five board members, we have a formidable team to steer the future of Stadiums Tasmania and deliver great outcomes for Tasmania.”

The Chair of the Stadiums Tasmania Board, Michael Malouf, said the appointment brings the national and international elite-level sports industry experience needed to build the authority’s team and stadiums portfolio.

Malouf added “James Avery is the commercially-focused, community-minded leader we were seeking. To secure a CEO of such calibre, who hails from Tasmania, fits perfectly with our commitment to the State and its people.

“We are looking forward to James commencing duties in September, once he concludes his commitments with the GIANTS.”

Avery, a Tasmanian, said he was delighted with the appointment, noting “I look forward to getting started on what is a wide-ranging and important agenda.

“This is a unique role as part of a new organisation and as a proud Tasmanian, I understand the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to the broader Tasmanian community and the importance of working closely with all stakeholders to successfully achieve our shared objectives.”

Stadiums Tasmania brings together the ownership, management, and future capital development of our major public stadiums under a single authority.

It is expected to assume responsibility for up to five stadiums, with MyState Bank Arena and the Silverdome already owned by the Tasmanian Government, and the transfer of Blundstone Arena, Dial Park and UTAS Stadium remaining subject to negotiation.

Prior to his role at the GWS GIANTS worked for the AFL, the England and Wales Cricket Board and the NRL’s Melbourne Storm in corporate affairs and communications positions.

Image: James Avery. Credit: LinkedIn.

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23rd February 2023 - AFL makes $360 million commitment for Tasmanian team funding contingent on new Hobart stadium

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