Operations specialist Emily Chandler has been named the final nominee of the inaugural Dean Moore Award for 2024 - a Sydney Swans staff equivalent of the team’s Best Clubman.   

The news was announced by CEO Tom Harley on November 5 following the conclusion of the AFL and AFLW seasons. According to Chandler the nomination is both a personal and professional highlight.  

It’s such an honour. I’m shocked that I received a nomination because there’s so many incredible staff.

To be presented annually at the Sydney Swans’ AFLW Club Champion Dinner, the Dean Moore Award is a peer nominated award that will recognise a Sydney Swans staff member who has best embodied the club’s values of respect, discipline, courage, and conviction.  

Dean Moore – whom the award is named after – served as the club’s team manager in the late 1970s and managed the logistics of South Melbourne’s move to Sydney in 1981. After a stint with the then VFL, Moore returned to Sydney to replace Andrew Ireland as General Manager – Football at the end of the 2009 season.  

Chandler admitted that explaining her role is difficult as she holds several touch points across club operations, events, special projects and The Sydney Network. Her expertise in the space comes off the back six years as a Project Manager before joining the Swans in 2022.  

“I came into the job having never done a corporate event before, so I just jumped into the deep end with that,” she shared.

Here at the Swans, you can pave your own path and go in the direction you want [to take your career].

"Recently, I've been able to take a lot more responsibility and work on bigger projects.” 

Working closely with the sales team her core role incorporates expanding opportunities for the broader business.  Chandler was also a key contributor to the Kick the Habit program in West Arnhem land this month.  

02:09

Swans play footy in Maningrida

The 'Kick The Habit' Footy Festival was a resounding success, and the weekend was made all the more special when our AFL and AFLW players had a kick with the local community.

She explained that her passion for sport is what drives her dedication to career growth, her attitude infectious within Sydney Swans HQ.  

“Sport is such a cool place to work because we work with such like-minded. I love that I can push myself and work hard.” 

The winner of the 2024 Dean Moore Award will be announced on December 5, 2024.  

From our staff: 

Emily has a classic lead by example approach to her work, never shying away from a new project and brings others along on the journey. Most recently she played a leading role in delivery of the Kick The Habit program in West Arnhem land. She is respected across the board for being a reliable, committed and a dependable member of the team. Em never lets you down. – Scott Dalby, Executive General Manager - People