The Brisbane Lions AFC is pleased to announce that Manny Lynch has filled the critical role of Club Welfare Development Manager made vacant following the recent departure of Craig Lambert.

Lynch was appointed as the Lions' Leadership & Development Coach in October 2009 and was responsible for implementing a range of successful leadership programs throughout the 2010 season.

He was the key driver behind the Lions Leaders program which culminated in seven players and four staff being presented with a Diploma of Management at last week's Club Champion event.

Lynch is a former Royal Australian Navy officer who was heavily involved in the football industry back in his home state of Tasmania before joining the Lions last year. His cultural development, team-building initiatives and interpersonal skills have already proven an asset for the Club.

Lynch has developed strong relationships with the Lions players and will now direct his focus more towards their welfare programs.

Senior Coach Michael Voss said Lynch was the perfect fit for the Welfare Development Manager position and thoroughly deserved his promotion.

"This Club places a great deal of importance on its player welfare programs and it was therefore critical that we found the best possible person to fill this role," Voss said.

"We were fortunate to be able to promote from within because Manny was such an outstanding candidate for this position."

"He already has runs on the board after proving a valuable and popular addition to our Football Department in 2010."