Sports researcher and writer, Dr Kasey Symons, has been appointed to the Fitzroy Football Club Board as the Director Marketing and Communications.

Kasey is a Research Fellow at Swinburne University of Technology and part of the Universitys newly-launched Sport Innovation Research Group.

With a decade of experience in football communications and media, Kasey has held various communications roles at the AFL and the St. Kilda and Western Bulldogs Football Clubs, working to design campaigns, implement media management strategies and run social media accounts (including game day live reporting).

Kasey frequently writes on sport particularly womens sport for The Guardian.

She recently completed her doctorate on the role of women in sports fan culture and representations of women in sports literature.

Kasey has been involved with Fitzroy this year, first as emcee for the Women in Footy lunch to start the season and then as the emcee for the Redlow earlier this month.

President Joan Eddy said the club was delighted with the appointment of such an accomplished all-rounder, who would bring fresh energy and ideas to the communications portfolio.

Speaking at the Redlow recently, Kasey said she loved football... Because it is more than the game.

Its the people you get to talk to before the bounce. Its the smell of the grass as you run onto the field. The sound of that leather smack when the ball hits the boot. The burn in your chest when you scream Baaaaaall!from the sidelines. Its putting your arms around your teammates to sing the song. Its a top-notch burger from the BBQ. Its the leaders you see, on and off the field who inspire you. Its the connection to community. Its bringing people in and sharing a culture. Its being a custodian of history. Its belonging to something bigger. Its being part of the team./p>

We couldnt have said it better. Congratulations Kasey.

Vice President Kate Nolan will stay on the Board as Director Events having also managed the communications and media portfolio for four seasons.

This brings the Fitzroy Director numbers to 10 a full complement under the clubs constitution for the first time in many years.

This weeks appointment was to a casual vacancy on the Board. Kasey will stand for a full appointment to the Board at the AGM on 1 December.