IFAF is delighted to confirm that it has appointed Orla McAleese to chair its newly formed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. The new role will be dedicated to ensuring everyone is able to enjoy the benefits of being involved in football regardless of their background and to ensure that those who lead and deliver the sport reflect the diverse global football community. Orla’s background is in event management, and in addition to her 18 years of experience in this field, Orla has held the position of event manager of Ireland’s largest hotel, event, and convention centre, planning, and organising groups from 8 - 8000 people. From that Orla went into Recruitment and HR and has established herself with one of the Europe’s largest engineering firms - Mercury. She holds a BA Degree in Tourism & Marketing as well as Certificates in Business, Recruitment Practices (NRF), Sport and Corporate Governance from (IPA) and CIPD Diploma in Human Resource Management from National College of Ireland. Her studies continue. Orla first got involved in football by accident back in 2012, when I was asked to go onto the board to help out a new team just starting out in the league - there was very little persuasion to be done as her husband was a coach on the team. She held the PRO role for 2 years making sure that there was a voice for the club in the public and getting them known in the local towns and area, building up good relationships with the local press, radio, and businesses. In 2015 she was voted in as Chairperson of the club and sat on the board of the North Kildare Club which the Reapers where a sub section. In 2015 she was also appointed as the General Manager of the Irish National teams by the then Irish American Football Association (IAFA), working out of National Sports Campus with the Senior, U’20’s and Flag programmes. In 2018 Orla ran for President of IAFA and was voted in as the first female president ever of IAFA in a landslide victory. This was a 3-year term which was tough in that the organisation had to radically restructure and brought governance and regulation to ensure it was functional and transparent for everyone from grassroots upwards. She has along with her board dramatically and radically changed the face of American Football in Ireland, bringing the organisation into IFAF and competing at international level. A complete rebranding was undertaken and successfully completed; the organisation now known as American Football Ireland (AFI). While in her role as president of AFI, Orla has far exceeded success. Her dedication and commitment to American Football Ireland is unmatched and undeniable. In 3 years, Orla has worked tirelessly to develop strong relationships within AFI and with external stakeholders. As a result, this has really set up AFI for continued growth and success long into the future. She has given up her free time to run and promote the association at all levels. She is a key figure and reason why AFI are on a journey of governance compliance. In her final year, the board established a program to encompass all matters involving the practice diversity and inclusivity with respect and integrity - doing the right thing even when no one is looking. IFAF will be recruiting for Committee Members to the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee shortly.