Williamstown’s new general manager of football, Stephen Soulsby, has taken the road less travelled to the VFL.
Soulsby, 32, who grew up in Warrnambool, “wasn’t the greatest footballer”, by his own admission, but he was passionate about the game, playing local junior football and moving up to the senior ranks before beginning a new chapter.
Soulsby’s career took off once he hung up the boots and went into sports management.
At the young age of 25, Soulsby landed the job of chief executive at the Hampden Football Netball League.
“I was very young in the role, so you’re always going to make mistakes, but as with anything in life, you learn from those,” Soulsby said.
“I did that for two years and I certainly learned a lot.”
It was that role that kick-started Soulsby’s career path in football.
He has not stood still since, landing jobs with St Mary’s in the Northern Territory Football League and Eastlake in the North East Australian Football League.
“I’m taking a step each time up the ladder in terms of the level of competition,” Soulsby said.
When Williamstown advertised for its football general manager after Chris Dixon departed for Collingwood, Soulsby did not have to think twice about applying.
He wants to reach the big league of the AFL and the best way to get there is through the VFL.
“Being back in Victoria, you’re able to connect and work with the AFL clubs,” Soulsby said.
“It’s the little things you can continue to learn in and around the AFL system.”
Soulsby was attracted to the Seagulls because of their recent success.
With that comes the pressure of having to help keep the club at its high level.
“As we know, they’ve been very successful over a number of years, especially the last 10,” he said.
“Walking in day one, and through the conversations before coming on board, you can see they set very high standards from an on-field point of view and that’s reflected in the results they get.”
While Soulsby will work closely with Williamstown coach Andrew Collins, it’s not only the on-field results for which he will be responsible.
As well as making sure the Seagulls continue to be compliant with AFL Victoria regulations, Soulsby will focus on the continued development of people within the club, including players, coaches and staff.
“A key focus of the role is looking to assist and making sure the players and staff are developing themselves off the field,” Soulsby said.
“I know the club has done a lot of work in that area and will continue to do so.
“Not only are they successful on the field, but they’re looked after from an off-field point of view in terms of … life outside of footy, if and when that time comes.
“So as much as we want the players to get the most out of themselves, it’s the same for our staff. We give them the opportunities to build themselves up in their own areas that they want to focus on from a career point of view and work with them and assist them in their development.”
