Award-winning journalist Mark Stevens is marking a ‘full circle’ moment as he returns to the Goulburn Valley.

The former Shepparton News cadet was unanimously accepted onto the Goulburn Valley League board last Wednesday, set to be positioned in the role for the next two years as the league transitions to a self-managed competition when the AFL Goulburn Murray hub closes at season’s end.

The Shepparton-raised media personality soared into the journalistic spotlight when he worked for two decades at the Herald Sun and then became chief AFL reporter at broadcast network Seven, while most recently taking the managing editor reins at Zero Digital Sports, known for its flagship sites Zero Hanger and Zero Tackle.

GVL board chair Peter Foott stated Stevens “didn’t take much convincing” to embrace his Shepparton roots again as the league prepares for the change in its management.

“He still considers Shepparton his home, his mum and sister still live here and he felt like it was a good way to give back to the town which gave him his start in the industry,” Foott said.

“Mark will work with our board on some high level communication and stakeholder matters that will help us to build a runway toward a stand alone Goulburn Valley League competition.”

Stevens said the challenge of helping the GVL enter its next era was an exciting prospect.

“This opportunity appealed to me on a number of fronts – being a league based in my home town, helping the league transition into a stand alone format and working with a board I see as energetic and future-focused,” Stevens said.

“It feels a little like I have completed the full circle by coming back into football in the Goulburn Valley.

“I remember cutting my teeth as a young journo working with GVL greats Keith Wellman and Barry Connolly and I have such great memories of that time.

"I am excited to do my bit to help the board achieve its goal to have the league challenge for the mantle Victoria’s strongest country football league."

Stevens will join Foott, deputy chair Jason Sherlock, Alice Milner, Ashok Kumar, Sharon O’Dwyer and Daniel Irwin on the league’s board.

Riverine Herald Google News Panels

Friday, 24th August 2029

Your Morning Headlines

Select Stories

Publish Panels