Athletics NSW Appoints New Directors

Athletics NSW (ANSW) is pleased to announce the appointment of Felicity Colbourne and Matt Baker as members of the Board of Directors. The appointment of Felicity and Matt follows an extensive public recruitment process embarked upon by the Board in late 2019 as part of its commitment to operating a professional skills-based Board.

Felicity is a specialist in transformation, change management and human resources, having worked in these spaces in both the corporate and sporting sectors, with a particular focus on surf life saving and gymnastics. Felicity is presently the Head of People Services and Systems leading the People Division Transformation Program at Ausgrid and has previously worked as the People and Culture Manager and National Sport Operations Manager at Surf Life Saving Australia, having led the people and change implementation of the that organisation’s merger with the Surf Life Saving Foundation. Prior to her time with Surf Life Saving Australia, Felicity had an extensive career in gymnastics, having worked as a Development Manager and Business Development Officer at Gymnastics NSW and a Regional Development Manager at British Gymnastics.

Matt has an extensive background in the commercial and marketing spaces, with a particular focus on digital marketing and engagement and specialising in the sporting sector. Matt is presently the General Manager of Member and Customer Experience at the Sydney Cricket and Sports Grounds Trust where he manages a staff of more than 30 people delivering upwards of 70 events per year. Prior to joining the Trust, Matt worked in rugby league, serving as the Senior Marketing Manager – Clubs, Premiership and Membership for the NRL after having spent time as the General Manager of Marketing and Sponsorship at the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs Rugby League Club. Matt also spent time as the National Event Manager of Red Bull Australia, a leader in the innovative events space.

Each of Felicity and Matt will bring new skills to complement the existing capabilities of the Board and are committed to the long-term success of ANSW. Their appointment reflects the Board’s commitment to attracting the best possible talent to serve the sport in NSW and a recognition that there are formidable skills and capabilities which exist outside the immediate world of athletics which the sport can benefit greatly from.

The public recruitment process attracted more than 40 high-quality candidates and the Board thanks each and every person who put their name forward to assist with the continued development of the sport in NSW.

Matt Whitbread

Chair

Athletics NSW