Carbis’ passion for footy leads him to a new role in Far North

BEN Carbis could not have picked a busier time to be hopping aboard the AFL Cairns bandwagon.

The new operations manager at the organisation came on deck just two weeks shy of the AFL clash between St Kilda and Port Adelaide – it ended up being a genuine trial by fire.

“It’s been a pretty busy first few weeks to start off with but I wouldn’t have it any other way to be honest,” Carbis said.

“It was awesome, any chance to see the top level of play up here is pretty exciting.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t stressed at times, it was a long week but it’s a great way to learn the job, who’s who around Cairns and that’s a really important part of the job.

“I got thrown in the deep end there but it’s served me good in the weeks of following.”

Carbis fills a vacancy left by current AFL Cairns general manager Craig Lees.

The former moved to the Far North for the gig after spending most of his professional life in the Australian Army as an officer.

From there, Carbis moved into a job with the NSW Institute of Sport.

Eventually, however, he was able find his calling in the tropics to pursue his passion for working in Aussie rules.

“I really enjoyed that experience down in Sydney, but that sort of lifestyle is not my speed,” Carbis said.

“I enjoy the laid back warmth up here.

“Getting into footy was always the long term goal and after a couple of years working in sport I managed to snag myself this role as operations manager.” Other than the typically sunny weather, Carbis said the competition in Cairns and it’s growing reputation helped him make the easy choice.

“It’s a great foot in the door for footy in general,” he said.

“I’m really stoked to see that footy’s on the rise here as we’ve seen some ex-AFL players come up here and have a kick.

“If you look through the last few rounds of this year, there’s been some really close ones.”

This won’t be Carbis’ first foray in Far North footy, having been stationed in Townsville and even playing briefly for the Hermit Park Tigers.

“It’s always a bit tricky when you’re in the army, being away for six months of every year,” he said.

“I always played for my local army or squadron platoon team.”