Explore AFL and AFLW Stars on the ICMI Roster

Bright lights, roaring cheers and thrilling tackles, passes and goals, nothing gets Australians pumped quite like footy. The ICMI roster has plenty of star speakers to inspire, motivate and bring new insights to your audiences, with players and coaches from the AFL and AFLW.

Since its invention in 1858, AFL has been one of the most-watched sports in Australia, bringing an average of 35,000 punters to each game, while the grand final brings a crowd of more than 100,000 and a television audience of millions. From former players to top coaches and big brains behind the scenes, our roster is bursting with visionaries from this iconic Australian game.

Browse our roster of AFL speakers here at ICMI

 

Why AFL and AFLW Speakers Are Powerful for Corporate Events

Bringing an AFL or AFLW speaker into a corporate setting isn’t about celebrity presence — it’s about accessing people who perform, lead and adapt under some of the most intense pressure in Australian sport. Their experiences translate directly into the realities of modern workplaces, where teams need clarity, resilience and purpose to succeed.

AFL athletes operate in environments driven by strategy, discipline and constant feedback. They understand what it means to perform in front of enormous expectations, manage setbacks publicly, and maintain focus amid high-pressure stakes. These lived experiences make them uniquely positioned to speak about resilience, mental toughness and navigating change — themes every business deals with, regardless of industry.

Here are a few ICMI speakers who can bring that fascinating, energising and entertaining keynote to your business event:

Michelle Cowan

Head of Women’s Football at West Coast Eagles, Michelle Cowan has over 20 years experience in the AFL. Her impressive career launched as a talent scout for Geelong when she was 17, before being appointed as the first female assistant coach in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) at the age of 21. Michelle is an incredible resource for insights on the sport as well as team dynamics, winning cultures and the importance of perseverance and passion in your own journey.

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Gavin Wanganeen

AFL legend and acclaimed contemporary Indigenous artist Gavin Wanganeen is one of the best to ever play the game with 300 games, two premierships, a Brownlow and a spot in the AFL Hall of Fame. Beyond his footy accolades, he continues to break new ground and achieve widespread acclaim as a contemporary Indigenous artist and activist. Gavin is also passionate about giving back to the community as an ambassador for Indigenous health initiatives and travelling to remote communities to encourage positive life choice. He’s an endless resource of insights as a speaker, covering everything from sport to art, culture, education, health and community.

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Akec Makur Chuot

From a childhood spent in a refugee camp to a star AFLW player, Akec Makur Chuot is an inspirational figure. Having tried footy for the first time after moving to Perth in 2009, she fell in love with the game and quickly rose up the ranks to the AFLW draft. Having played for Freo, Carlton and Richmond, she played with Hawthorn for 2 seasons before hanging up the boots at the end of 2023. Now she focuses on advocating for refugees and women in sport.

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Mick Malthouse

Iconic AFL premiership coach Mick Malthouse is an inspiring and well known figure of the game. With a total of 639 games coached across VFL and AFL, he’s coached the second most footy games of all time. Highlights include leading West Coast to 2 premierships and lifting Collingwood out of one of their worst long-term slumps to their 2010 premiership, breaking their 20 year drought. On the speaking circuit, he has a way of taking his experiences in footy and applying the lessons to life and business more broadly, all while doing so in an endearing and highly entertaining way.

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Erin Phillips OAM

Former AFLW player for Adelaide and Port Adelaide, Erin Phillips has been an inspiration for female athletes across all sporting codes in Australia. She wanted to be a pro footy player all her life, but with limited professional opportunities, she switched her focus to basketball, playing nine seasons in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). When the AFLW launched in 2017, Erin quickly emerged as the league’s best player and one of its biggest stars. Following her 2023 retirement, she continues to inspire and advocate for women’s sport as a speaker while working in the AFL Operations Department.

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Craig McRae

Having led Collingwood to their 2023 premiership, Craig McRae is one AFL’s most respected active coaches, with a unique prowess for building a winning team and finding the formula to victory. As a player he kicked off his career in Adelaide in the 90’s before playing a crucial role as a formidable forward in Brisbane’s 2001, 2002, and 2003 premierships. He’s got plenty of lessons to share as a speaker, from how to lead from the front to going from zero to hero.

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Bec Goddard OAM

Inaugural AFLW premiership coach Bec Goddard OAM is a passionate advocate for diversity and equality in Australian sport. She also holds the rare title of coaching success in two elite women’s sports – the AFLW and WNBL. Bec also spent 20 years as a member of the AFP, where she was deployed around the world to assist with natural disasters and tragedies. Describing herself as a ‘professional optimist’, Bec believes winning comes from focusing on the ‘1 percenters’, a big topic in her talks.

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The Business Value of an AFL Speaker

Resilience and pressure-handling
Elite footballers train their minds as much as their bodies. Their stories of pushing through injury, rebounding from losses and performing under scrutiny help corporate teams reframe stress and develop stronger, more sustainable approaches to pressure.

Teamwork and shared purpose
Footy clubs rely on trust, communication and role clarity — the same foundations that produce high-functioning business teams. AFL speakers can break down how elite teams build cohesion, stay aligned during chaos and keep morale strong through challenging periods.

High-performance mindset
Athletes are experts in setting goals, tracking progress and continually improving. Their insights on discipline, routine and deliberate practice give organisations practical frameworks to boost performance and accountability.

Culture and leadership
Modern AFL and AFLW teams emphasise culture almost as much as talent. Speakers can unpack how strong cultures are built, why cultural misalignment derails success, and how leaders can create environments where people feel included, motivated and supported.

When AFL Speakers Make the Biggest Impact

AFL or AFLW speakers work especially well for events focused on:

• Leadership development

• Cultural transformation

• Team offsites or kick-offs

• Sales motivation and target-driven teams

• Change management

• Resilience and wellbeing programs

• Diversity and inclusion (particularly AFLW talent)

Because AFL is such a shared touchpoint in Australia, these speakers also help break down barriers, energise rooms and create instant connection — even in highly corporate or technical environments.

Beyond the Keynote

An AFL speaker can contribute far more than a single presentation. They can run Q&A sessions, facilitate workshops, support leadership panels or participate in meet-and-greets that build momentum and boost engagement across the whole event.

Their stories have emotional pull, their lessons are practical, and their delivery is grounded in real lived experience — which is why AFL speakers consistently resonate with corporate audiences looking for authenticity, clarity and inspiration.

Interested in booking one of our speakers? Call us now on 1800 334 625 or make an enquiry online.