Carrissa Bellottie replaces long-standing GNFL president Colin Cox

The Great Northern Football League has a new president in Carrissa Bellottie, becoming the first Indigenous person to be elected to the position in the league’s history after she replaced outgoing president Colin Cox. Bellottie is the 16th president in the league’s 62 years and only the second woman after Cathy Vanderweide, who served from 2001 to 2003. Born in Shark Bay, Bellottie has spent most of her working life in Indigenous Affairs and currently works in the Education sector as a Youth Transition Coordinator “It sure is a big job and definitely the biggest challenge I’ve taken on apart from being mum to my daughter,” Bellottie said. “Colin did speak with me prior, letting me know of his intentions, which gave me time to ponder my decision and I felt the many years I’ve given to the GNFL board gave me some good insights.” She takes over from Cox, who stepped down from the position but will remain on the board as vice-president for the rest of the season. Bellottie has been on the GNFL board for nine years, coming in midway through the 2013 season to replace Terry Brennan. “Our immediate task is to source more umpires — Rob Bennett and Steve Pratt are working to sustain existing numbers and recruit new umpires,” she said. Cox, a GNFL life member as was his father Alan, was president for 12-and-a-half years in an era in which country football in some ways had to reinvent itself to stay relevant. During his record tenure — he passed John Rock this year, who led from 1966-1976 and 1980 — other leagues lost clubs or battled to keep league, reserves and colts competitions. But the GNFL has endured. All seven clubs have survived with a promising women’s league inaugurated in 2018. Cox was a driving force in competition being held in 2020 despite COVID. There were calls to can the season like some leagues did but the GNFL held a successful shortened season. “I’ve sold my restaurant to my daughter Haley and head chef Elangu Iyyapillai and after a long run as president and 14 years on the board, it’s time to make a break,” Cox said. “The GNFL is among country WA’s best three managed leagues and the WA Football Commission is developing strategies to assist country football. “Carrissa has been on the board for eight years and more than capable of taking the helm but I’ll help with the transition until my term ends after this season.”