Former Richmond player Daniel Jackson has been appointed to the role of Adelaide’s Leadership Development Manager.

Jackson played 156 AFL games and spent six years in the Tigers’ leadership group, along the way winning the Club Best and Fairest.

He also claimed the inaugural AFL’s Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award in recognition of his commitment to the mental health and wellbeing of young people through his involvement with a number of charity and community-based organisations. 

Since retiring as a player in 2014, he has a strong and proven track record of working with sports and corporate professionals to optimise performance with a focus on leadership, purpose and resilience.

Jackson has also run workshops, covering a range of areas such as managing performance stress, at secondary schools in London, Melbourne and Adelaide. His diverse and successful background also includes serving as an AFL Europe Commissioner.

His appointment follows the Club announcing it would create a full-time leadership position after completing a thorough review of the football department at the end of last season.

Jackson, who will report to Crows Head of Football Adam Kelly, will oversee and facilitate leadership development and training for players across the AFL, AFLW and SANFL teams, as well as football department staff.

Kelly said Jackson, who holds a Masters of Science, Performance Psychology from the University of Edinburgh, would play a role in supporting the Club’s key leaders in strengthening a positive and engaging environment.

“Dan is a highly motivated individual with a diverse and relevant background working with organisations both here in Australia and abroad,” Kelly said.

“He is held in high regard by everyone we have spoken to within the AFL industry, as well as his corporate clients, for his ability to coach individuals on their leadership capability and traits.

“The way in which he can support leaders in bringing together teams of people to optimise performance is also important.

“He will be a valuable resource and support for all of our leaders in the football department and broader Club.”

 Jackson, who is currently working in London, is looking forward to starting with the Crows in March.

“After spending the last five plus years overseas working in and around high-performing teams and organisations, I have seen time and time again that sustainable success is built on putting good people in an environment where they can flourish,” Jackson said.

“Having met with Nicksy and Adam, as well as speaking to a number of others at the Club, I am very confident that Adelaide is on the right path and I am really excited to play a part in that journey.”