2023 Annual General Meeting Results and Co-Chairs
Disability Sports Australia Welcomes New Directors and Co-Chairs
Disability Sports Australia (DSA) is pleased to announce the election of four new members and one returning member to its Board of Directors following its annual general meeting.
The organisation is also thrilled to announce an exciting leadership transition with the appointment of Renae Domaschenz and Kerri Griffiths as co-chairs of the board.
David Thompson, Brett Bennett, Erin Hoare and Simone Pearce join the DSA board as new directors, bringing with them a wealth of expertise and experience in various fields, including sport development, finance, risk, commercial and legal.
Leeanne Grantham, who has been a DSA director since 2018, was re-elected for another term.
These accomplished individuals were deemed suitably qualified for the positions with their skill sets assessed against the DSA candidates' criteria.
The criteria were developed to ensure that the DSA board has a diverse and balanced representation of skills, knowledge and perspectives that align with the DSA vision, mission and values.
Kerri Griffiths one of the new co-chairs welcomed the expertise and experience of the new Directors.
“On behalf of Disability Sports Australia, I would like to welcome our newly elected Directors to our Board, and welcome back Leeanne Grantham.” Mrs Griffiths said.
“As we embark on the implementation of our new strategic plan, we look forward to working with them and leveraging their fresh ideas, insights, and experience.”
The 2023 AGM also marked the departure of four esteemed Directors from their positions on the DSA Board. DSA expresses sincere gratitude to Dr Phil Hamdorf, Steve Loader, John Hart, and Catriona Rose for their dedicated service to the organisation.
Steve Loader was on the board for nine years and held the role of chairperson during his tenure, and Dr Phil Hamdorf, was the chairperson for the past year.
“I would like to thank Steve, Phil, John and Catriona for their outstanding service to DSA. They have been instrumental in shaping the future direction and culture of our organisation alongside other directors.”
DSA now has nine Board Directors under the leadership of Kerri Griffiths and Renae Domaschenz
Kerri Griffiths
Dr Renae Domaschenz PLY
Dr Nathalie Mann
Garry Goodman
Leeanne Grantham
David Thompson
Brett Bennett
Erin Hoare
Simone Pearce
David Thompson
Following a 30-year career in the rag trade, including 25 years with Bonds, David decided to chase a career in sport. David’s first role in sport was with Cricket NSW, a sport he played with distinction and loved. David held the position of General Manager State Cricket Department taking charge of the High-Performance department. Coaches, Support and Sports Medicine Staff reported to him, including contracted elite cricketers, male and female for the Blues and Breakers as well as the two Big Bash teams in years two and three.
In 2015, David chose to move to Hockey NSW - a sport his family fell in love with. David chased his dream of becoming a CEO of a state sporting organisation. It came true when in July 2016. During this time, David was awarded the Administrator of the Year Award in 2017 at the Sports NSW Annual Awards. David held this position until October 2021.
In November 2021, David joined Hockey Australia in a Strategic role working with CEO colleagues across hockey in Australia looking for strategic projects that created efficiencies for Australian Hockey. David has recently overseen the creation of the first Australian Hockey Strategic Vision to 2032 and Strategic Plan 2023-24.
David has now worked in the sport of Hockey for the past nearly 9 years and in Sport for 14 years. His core capabilities of key stakeholder management, the development and implementation of commercial strategies combined with his team leadership skills have provided positive results to his career in sport.
Brett Bennett
Brett Bennett is a passionate and experienced leader in the disability sector, with a personal connection to DSA’s vision and mission.
He has a diverse background in sports science, clinical therapy services, business transformation, operational leadership, growth, sustainable cost management, government relations, and NDIS experience.
Brett started his career at the University of Sydney’s Cumberland Health & Research Centre, where he led the Disability Rehabilitation Unit and ran fitness and rehabilitation programs for people with disabilities.
He has also consulted for disability services businesses, contributed significantly to the National Disability Insurance Agency, and served on the Advisory Board of Supported Travel experiences.
With extensive financial management expertise, including full P&L ownership up to $400 million and cost base management up to $1.3 billion, he has a proven track record of managing risk and advising board members in both small private companies and large publicly listed entities.
Brett has demonstrated significant HR leadership experience, driving business performance improvements with a core focus on people and capability. He has strong government and public sector relations, including advisory roles with WorkCover Authorities and State and Federal Government engagements.
Brett has also accepted the position of new Chair of the Finance Audit and Risk Committee.
Simone Pearce
Simone has been working at the University of Sunshine Coast since 2014.
Prior to 2014, Simone practised law for nearly 22 years and was a partner of a prominent Sunshine Coast Law firm in the final 15 years of that period. Simone’s practice included all areas of General Practice, with a specific interest and focus on Family Law and Litigation, Crime, Succession Law and Sports Law.
Simone’s PhD ‘Towards Guidelines for the Inclusion of Children with Disability in Sport’, argued for changes to the way sport is structured to promote ‘true inclusion’.
Simone has an interest in discrimination issues and the equitable treatment of minorities or the underrepresented and excluded. Simone also has considerable history and experience in directorships and acting as company secretary for several sporting organisations at varying levels. Simone has a track record of effective advocacy and stakeholder engagement, especially with State and Local Government, Netball Australia, and Little Athletics Australia.
Simone has been a Director with State and National Sporting bodies and advised on various committees to State and National bodies, particularly in relation to inclusion. She has been involved in leading the development of policies and a culture of integrity and transparency.
Simone is currently Chair of Sunshine Coast Sports and a Director of Sunshine Coast 2032.
Erin Hoare
Erin Hoare has extensive leadership experience as an academic in the University sector, in sports administration in her current role at the Australian Football League, and as an athlete across two codes (Netball, AFL Women’s). She is a Senior Research Fellow with expertise in the relationship between physical activity and mental health and wellbeing.
Alongside her sporting and academic pursuits, Erin is a psychologist with expertise in neurodiversity, and has worked as a psychologist in the NDIS. She is deeply passionate about enabling inclusive sporting environments in which all people can thrive.
After 10 years in the Academic sector at Deakin University, where she spent time on a visiting research fellowship to the University of Cambridge, she commenced in sports administration in a research role at the Australian Football League. Erin holds a PhD in public health and has a strong research track record including lead authored publications in the Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, and JAMA Psychiatry.
Erin is Chairperson of the AFL Research Board and brings to Disability Sports Australia expertise in data governance and national ethical standards, subject matter expertise in relation to sport and recreation for health and wellbeing, lived experience as an athlete, and knowledge in relation to strategy and community engagement.
For more information about our team, please visit: Our Board — Disability Sports Australia
Media Contact:
Max Reilly
Communications and Participation Officer
max@sports.org.au
