The Riverina Football and Netball League is on the hunt for a new president following Chris Flanigan's departure.
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Flanigan exits after three years at the helm, with his career to take him to Queensland later this month.
He said it's been a satisfying time in the position, even if 2020 was unprecedented in terms of workload after the coronavirus curveball.
"The thing I enjoyed most was the people that you meet. You get to know people from other clubs in a different light and you get to work with them," Flanigan said.
"I think everybody's got football at heart. Sometimes we get tangled up in our own clubs and that but I think deep down everyone just cares about making sure that footy happens."
At no time has that been more evident than in this year's one-off AFL Riverina Championship which saw five Riverina League clubs and Osborne (Hume League) compete in a high-quality six-game season and finals.
"It shone through, didn't it? All the other stuff didn't matter, as long as we could get a kick," he said.
"It is (a highlight), especially with the leagues that fell down around us, and the uncertainty in the community. With Marc Geppert's assistance (from AFL Southern NSW), it was just really pleasing to be able to have footy and netball for the community, especially those young people to be able to still have some normality.
"While people had apprehensions to start with, as the season got underway the crowds became bigger and people got used to doing what they had to do at training and on game day, it was good. It was pretty satisfying to sit back on grand final day and say, 'Well we got here'."
Flanigan said he's particularly pleased with the partnership between the league and the AFL focussing on club governance and sustainability, primarily through the player points system and the salary cap.
He is also proud to have worked with a strong competition management committee (CMC). The league is looking for the right person to replace Flanigan and lead the organisation through the return of the Riverina League.
"It can be a hard one to get people to take on but it is rewarding," Flanigan said.
"Everyone's got an opinion and tells you how it can be done. But we were more than happy to welcome as many want to come on board and help out."
The Farrer League management, meanwhile, will remain unchanged for 2021 after the outgoing president, David Oehm, elected to stay on for another season following 2020's year in recess.
"It was a bit pointless going out after nothing happened. So all the CMC is staying the same for next year," Oehm said.
He said he wants to be involved in the League's return for its nine clubs after this year's competition was abandoned.
The succession plan, of former North Wagga president Greg Fox succeeding Oehm as president, has been pushed back 12 months.
Oehm said Flanigan will be missed by more than just the Riverina League, paying tribute to the counsel and support of his counterpart.