ASC welcomes new Chair

20 May 2024

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) is delighted to welcome Kate Jenkins AO as our new Chair, following her incredible 30-year career as Australia’s foremost authority on respect and equality in the workplace and in sport.

Ms Jenkins extensive experience includes high profile roles as Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner and Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner, leading a number of successful cultural change reforms in complex environments including parliament, the university sector as well as defence and law enforcement.

Ms Jenkins has a very strong connection to sport including being Chair of Play by the Rules, serving on the Carlton Football Club board, as Ambassador for the T20 Women’s World Cup Cricket 2020 and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, and conducting the Independent Review of Gymnastics in Australia in 2021.

Ms Jenkins said she is honoured to step into the role at such an important time for Australian sport.

“We are in an exciting period for Australian sport and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to the leading work being done by the Australian Sports Commission,” Ms Jenkins said.

“I know the joy and pride that sport can bring us all, and the opportunities it provides. On the eve of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, and 8 years out from Brisbane 2032, my vision is for sport to be safe, fair, accessible and inclusive for everyone, with every athlete supported to reach their full potential.

I look forward to leading the ASC, including in its work towards ensuring there is a lasting legacy for all Australian sports and the community from this “green and gold decade” - when the eyes of the world will be on Australian athletes, Australian sport and Australian venues.”

Kate Jenkins AO is announced as the new Chair of the Australian Sports Commission, May 2024. Photo credit Kristoffer Paulson.

ASC CEO Kieren Perkins OAM has welcomed the appointment.

“Kate is one of Australia’s most distinguished leaders and her record of making systemic change across a range of sectors speaks for itself,” Mr Perkins said.

“There is no doubt that Kate’s expertise will be a wonderful asset to the ASC and our whole sector as we strive to ensure sport has a place for everyone and delivers results that make Australia proud.”

Ms Jenkins is one of three new faces joining the Commission after Minister for Sport, Anika Wells also announced appointments of Dr Bridie Kean PLY and Nicholas Green OAM as new board members.

Dr Kean is a dual Paralympic medallist and lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Dr Kean served as the Paralympic athlete representative during the Brisbane 2032 bid process and was recently appointed Deputy Chef de Mission of the 2024 Australian Paralympic Team.

Mr Green is a dual Olympic gold medallist and senior executive with experience working in large global corporations, the public sector, and not-for-profit organisations.

Mr Green has held sport roles as Chief Executive Officer of Cycling Australia, Director of the Australian Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Australia, President of the Victorian Olympic Council, and Chef de Mission of the 2012 Australian Olympic Team.

The trio join an accomplished Board of Commissioners with a range of expertise, including:

• Andrew Ireland (Deputy Chair)
• Amanda Laing
• Kurt Fearnley AO
• Lynne Anderson
• Craig Redman
• Dixie Marshall
• Blair Comley PSM

Ms Jenkins replaces Josephine Sukkar AM who concluded her three-year term as ASC Chair earlier this week.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Josephine Sukkar for the incredible legacy she leaves on sport through her role as ASC Chair,” Mr Perkins said.

“Australian sport is better for having your passionate advocacy in recent years.”