AFL Great and Australian Football Hall of Fame inductee Stefan Kamasz has passed away at 76.
He migrated from England to Newcastle, NSW, Australia in 1969 and joined the Weston Bears.
Kamasz went on to win three championships with the Bears, going back-to-back-to-back in 1971, 1972 and 1973.
But his real impact on the game came when he retired from playing.
He was treasurer and president of the Northern NSW Soccer Federation from 1978 to 1982, then oversaw the establishment of the Northern State League.
He then took on a more senior role, becoming a director of the Australian Football Federation.
He was also the Socceroos team manager during their winning Merlion Cup campaign in Singapore in ’82.
Kamasz was also acting chief executive officer of Football Australia and later CEO of A-League Men’s club Sydney FC.
Tributes are starting to be paid to Kamasz in recognition of his passing.
“Stefan Kamasz was a towering figure in Australian football, leaving behind an enduring impact and a lasting legacy,” Football Australia Chairman Anter Isaac said in a statement on Wednesday.
He passed away quietly at his residence on the Tuesday evening.