Episode 14: Blackburn’s Casey Johnson

Growing up in Melbourne’s working-class northern suburb of Reservoir, Casey was taught the value of community involvement and inclusion by his parents, who were heavily involved in volunteering during his early football years.

These days Casey finds himself at the helm of one of the largest clubs in the Eastern FNL, arguably Melbourne’s strongest league outside of the VFL.

We discuss Blackburn’s community-based business model and mindset, as well as the important role that football and netball are going to play in assisting communities to bounce back post-Covid.

We touch on some of the iconic local volunteers who help make his club tick, as well as the impressive role Blackburn’s leadership group played through Covid in keeping volunteers and sponsors connected through 2020.

A refreshing chat that proved to me that a community-first mindset is achievable regardless of the size of the club…