Neil Balme - Hire Keynote and Guest Speaker

Neil Balme

Highly experienced coach, player, mentor and administrator

A footballer forged in grit and grace, Neil Balme has been part of the soul of Australian rules football for over five decades.

Once known as a fearsome presence on the field, he’s since redefined his legacy as one of the game’s great strategic minds and wise mentors.

From premiership glories to boardroom influence, Balme brings calm authority, wry wisdom, and rare emotional intelligence to every team he touches.

Whether guiding coaches or shaping culture, his impact runs deeper than the scoreboard.

Now, he turns his lens to leadership beyond footy, offering insight, connection, and the courage to lead with heart.

Neil Balme Book as a speaker/entertainer for your next event

Key Points for Neil Balme

Neil Balme has spent over 55 years in elite Australian football, including roles as player, coach, football manager and now board member at Adelaide Crows.
He has guided eleven premierships across clubs including Richmond, Norwood, Collingwood, Geelong and Melbourne, often as the behind-the-scenes force of calm, clarity and connection.
Neil has successfully mentored top AFL coaches like Mick Malthouse, Damien Hardwick and Chris Scott, shaping game-day minds and long-term cultures alike.
Now a keynote speaker and leadership consultant, Balme offers deep, practical insights into team dynamics, purpose-led leadership and human-driven success.

Topics for Neil Balme

Driving high performance
In teams, through developing culture, understanding and empathy.
Strong leadership in challenging and high pressure situations
Moving with the times
Through generations of working with thousands of young men and women to equip them with the necessary skills, knowledge and understanding, as well as empowering them to make bold and strong choices.
Adapting to changes in your career
From playing to coaching to administration and mentoring the next generation. How building others up helps everybody in your team.

Testimonials for Neil Balme

Neil has a spiritual element to him... compassion, kindness, forgiveness, and he's not scared to show it.
Head of Conditioning
Collingwood and Carlton Football Club

Footy clubs are a great melting pot... [Neil] had an ability to balance everyone. He had the right touchpoints for each person.
Jimmy Bartel Brownlow Medallist

His most important strength is he makes people feel good about themselves... he looks you in the eye and takes the tension out of a room.
Former CEO
Richmond Football Club and Tasmania Football Club

Neil is good at picking momentum changes in footy departments... he reads people very well.
Former CEO
Geelong and now Carlton Football Club