The Bid management team has been drawn from the day-to-day business of Football Federation Australia (FFA) to ensure that the ongoing business of FFA and business associated with the bid are coordinated and strategically aligned as appropriate.
Ben Buckley, Chief Executive Officer
Ben Buckley was appointed CEO of FFA in December 2006 with a strong background in
sports management and administration.
His position immediately prior to joining FFA was Chief Operating Officer at the Australian Football League (AFL) where he worked for seven years as a member of the executive management team in roles encompassing commercial operations, broadcasting, strategy and major projects and, in that role, was responsible for securing AFL's record broadcast deal. He previously worked with Nike, including three years as Director of Marketing for Nike in Japan, and was General Manager of EA Sports.
Ben was also a professional AFL player having played 71 games for North Melbourne AFL club.
John Boultbee AM, Head of International Football Development
John’s professional life includes a long time in private practice as a Barrister prior to a career in sport administration.
He was CEO of the International Rowing Federation for six years and CEO of the Australian Institute of Sport for five years prior to joining FFA in 2004. He is currently also a Judge of the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). John was awarded an AM in 1990 for services to sport administration. He is director of UNHCR Australia, as well as a director of Sport Knowledge Australia and Rowing Australia.
Stuart Taggart, Head of Bid Operations
Stuart joined FFA in 2004. He managed FFA events and operations delivery nationally between 2004 and 2007 and was appointed Head of Major Events in 2007. In recent times Stuart has project managed the event delivery of the 2007 AFC Gala Awards and 2008 FIFA Congress and FFA’s bid to host the FIFA Club World Cup 2009 and 2010.
Prior to joining FFA Stuart worked at the Australian Rugby Union for six years during which time he led match venue operational planning nationally for the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
