Ben Smith

General Manager of Player Development, AFL Players’ Association (AFLPA)

Ben commenced with the AFL Players’ Association (AFLPA) as the General Manager of Player Development in June 2018.

Ben holds a Bachelor in Business (HR Management) and has previously held management roles in Human Resources. Prior to commencing at the AFLPA, Ben worked in a player development role at the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA), working with state associations and Cricket Australia to deliver career and welfare services to past and present players, along with developing new initiatives to service the needs of the ACA’s membership base.

In his time at the ACA Ben established a strong professional development program, this also included oversight to the expansion of the program to include female players; a significant change taking a more individualised case-managed approach to player development and wellbeing.

Since his arrival at the AFLPA Ben has been working closely with the AFL and clubs to shape player development across the AFL industry, with a focus on working more collaboratively to enable players to perform and live their best lives in and away from football.