THE AFL'S most influential indigenous official has entered the public service, leaving head office after nearly 10 years to accept a role within the Victorian state government.
Mifsud, who has been the AFL's leading voice on indigenous and multicultural affairs, has been announced as the executive director of Aboriginal affairs in the Victorian office of premier and cabinet.
He will remain on the AFL's indigenous advisory committee, which he established early last year.
In his role as the AFL's head of diversity, Mifsud's key achievements included increasing the indigenous football participation base from three per cent to six per cent and the indigenous workforce from 0.7 per cent to four per cent.
He oversaw the growth of a number of indigenous and multicultural programs and introduced multicultural round in 2012.
Under his leadership, the AFL has increased and maintained 10 per cent of AFL lists with players from indigenous backgrounds and 15 per cent from multicultural backgrounds.
Direct investment into indigenous programs has also grown from $2.1 million to $13.3 million annually over the past eight years.
"Jason Mifsud has made an incredible contribution to our game, to indigenous players, and to the community through his work at the AFL, and the Commission and clubs wish him well in his new role," CEO Gillon McLachlan said.
"I would like to personally acknowledge Jason’s leadership and the very positive impact he has had on our approach to indigenous and multicultural affairs."