The Sport SA Board represents the South Australia sports industry’s view on matters brought before the Board.
The Board understands and takes its role as the representative of sport, from grassroots through to high performance, very seriously and works tirelessly to ensure all sports in South Australia have a seat at the table when decisions are being made at local, state and national levels.
Michael is a former South Australian Member of Parliament and held the seat of Lee from 1997 to 2014. He was the Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing from 2002 to 2011 and retired from politics in 2014.
Michael was a physical education teacher in Kadina from 1979 to 1985, before entering politics.
Michael filled the casual vacancy position on the Sport SA Board before being appointed President in September 2015.
Michael’s passion for sport also sees him serve on the World Tennis Challenge Board.
Dr Mark Giancaspro is a Senior Lecturer and practising commercial lawyer at the University of Adelaide Law School. He teaches and researches contract law, consumer law, and sports law, and regularly provides training to sporting organisations across the country.
He has worked closely with FFSA and SASMA, and publishes widely on contracting issues in sport, particularly with respect to buyout clauses and transfer requests. Mark joined the Board of Sport SA in April 2019 and is passionate about helping the organisation advocate and deliver for its members and the sporting sector.
Andrew is a Chartered Accountant across 4 continents and is currently a CFO in the private sector for an international corporation. Originally from Wales in the UK, Andrew has over 25 years of experience in the Finance Leadership world primarily with Corporations such as Sony, and GE. Andrew’s work passion is business commercial strategy which he has a Master's in as well as process improvements using his Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt.
Andrew’s passion is sport in particular round ball football where in his 12 years in Australia he has coached the Northern Demons A grade in Port Pirie and is currently the Senior coach in Div 2 amateur league with Gleeson FC.
Andrew joined the Board in November 2021 and also heads up the Finance and Risk Committee for Sports SA.
Sally Underdown has career experience spanning the public service and not-for-profit sectors. She has worked as an allied health clinician and held senior leader roles within several federal government departments as well as non-government organisations, including peak representative bodies.
A strategic and innovative leader, who has developed and implemented a range of policy and programs with a focus on sport and health, as well as Aboriginal affairs. Sally has extensive experience in the development of social policies, as well as national program development and delivery. She has worked as an Exercise Physiologist and as an Assistant Director within the Australian Sports Commission. She has also held volunteering roles in several community sports organisations.
She has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise Physiology); and a Grad Cert in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Sally is currently the State Manager SA and NT with the Alcohol and Drug Foundation; a Board Member of the South Australian Network of Drug and Alcohol Services; and a Member of the South Australian Suicide Prevention Council.
Mike is semi-retired following a very extensive career working with Local, State and Federal Governments in the Education and Sport / Recreation sectors.
Mike started his working career as a Physical Education Teacher at Victor Harbor where he also ran the Aquatic Centre. This is also when he started his community sport and recreation involvement via coaching, sports administration and the creation of new sporting opportunities for the community.
After 12 years he moved across to the Department of Recreation and Sport in a Sport Development and Youth Leadership role working with Local Governments, Schools and Sport Development Officers from all sports.
This led to a similar role at a national level with a job at the Australian Sports Commission in Canberra where again he worked in Sport and Leadership Development across Australia. Whilst in Canberra he also picked up a role undertaking Sports Development across the South Pacific. Again, this was working with Governments, Schools and Sports Development Officers to develop leadership and assist in creating strong communities. Mike was responsible for the program in Fiji, Western Samoa and American Samoa.
With the birth of his first child, he moved back to Adelaide to be near family where he again got a job back in the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing. He continued to work there for a number of years working his way up through Management to be appointed the Director where he stayed for 8 years prior to going into semi-retirement but continuing to work at various roles on a part-time basis.
Throughout this time he has continued involvement at a local community level in coaching and administration mainly in Surf Life Saving and Aussie Rules.
John has been involved in club, State and National sporting committees and boards since 1984 with various sports – SANFL, Squash and Dragon Boat. He played pennant Squash for 40 years and took up Dragon Boat in 1999 to give his knees a rest. Sport has always been an integral part of his leisure time.
After retiring in 2008 Johnn pursued his sporting interests and gained accreditations in coaching, officiating and training. He has a Cert IV in Training and Assessment as a Dragon Boat Coach trainer.
He was the President of Dragon Boat SA for 13 years until 2017 when he retired to join the Australian Dragon Boat Federation and has now served the maximum 6 years as Finance Director and President retiring in November 2023.
He has been the chair of numerous Australian Masters Games and SA Masters Games Dragon Boat events as well as the World Police and Fire Games, Australian National Dragon Boat Championships and Australian Masters Squash Championships.
John joined the Board of Sport SA in September 2023.
Alex is the Founder and Managing Director of Lemon and Lime Digital, a consultancy practice specialising in marketing, communications, events and business strategy.
With over a decade of experience working in community engagement and events, Alex now brings her vast experience and skills to Lemon and Lime Digital, to help small to medium businesses, associations and not-for-profits to develop and maintain and an effective online presence and communication lines with their clients. Alex also works closely with businesses in a consultancy capacity, focussing on membership, marketing, sponsorship/ partnership and streamlining business practices.
Alex is also an Independent Board Member with the Fleurieu Regional Waste Authority and an Independent Member of the City of Unley's Business and Economic Development Advisory Committee.
In her downtime, you are likely to find Alex with her head in a book, as she is an avid reader, playing with her cat, Vegas -the best little gray cat around or going out for coffee with her husband David, as coffee is a key essential for every day!
Sport SA has established a number of Sub-Committees to advise and make recommendations to the Board and/or Staff.
These may reflect the strategic directions of the organisation, may be operational or project-based or reflect current business and trends in the sports industry.
Andrew Witts - Chair
The Hon Michael Wright
Mary-Ann Trevaskis
Leah Cassidy
The Hon Michael Wright
Andrew Witts
Kelly Rourke - Chair
Karla Della Pietra
Thomas Etherton
James Harris
Marija Lentic
Chelsea Packer
Jane Woodlands Thompson
Julie Anderson
Nicole Rodden
The Hon Michael Wright
Robert Gerard AO- Chair
Andrea Williamson
Juliet Haslam OAM/OLY
Rachael Sporn OAM/OLY
Pat Mickan OLY (Chair)
Steven Trigg
David Washington
Pat Mickan OLY (Chair)
Michelle den Dekker OAM/OLY
Ben Hook
Bruce McAvaney OAM
Anna Meares OAM/OLY
Katrina Webb OAM/OLY
Michael Sexton
Individuals who have made a significant contribution to Sport SA are honoured with the esteemed recognition of Life Membership.
Colin Steinert (2002)
Murray Tippett (2002)
Kathy Stanton AM (2003)
John Dicker APM (2010)
Joe Stevens OAM (2021)
David Hutton (2022)
Jill George (2008)
At Sport SA, our staff are the heartbeat of our organisation, working collaboratively and passionately to achieve our shared vision.
Leah has more than 25 years of experience in sport and recreation, education management and human services working in Australia, Hong Kong and Turkey. Leah joined Sport SA in late August 2018. Leah has a Master's Degree from the University of Leicester (UK) in Sport and Recreation Management, a Bachelor of Education Degree (Physical Education) and a Diploma of Government (Project Management).
Leah comes from a multi-sport background having participated in hockey, cricket (indoor and outdoor), athletics, cross country, vigoro, badminton, basketball and tennis.
Leah has a strong belief in the power of sports to change lives and communities. It is this belief that led her first into teaching Health and Physical Education and then into sports administration.
Julie has thirteen years of experience as a senior executive with Softball, Football, Basketball and Equestrian. In addition, Julie has over ten years of service as a Board Member with Women’s Sport Australia (Vice Chair), Sport SA (Vice Chair) and East Marden PS (Chair) Governing Council.
Julie resided and worked in sports in England (UK) for five years with a Sports Partnership and Sports Coach UK. Additionally, Julie coached Basketball at a National League level with Manchester and an International level with England.
Julie has a BA in Sports Management; a GD in Applied Science Sports Coaching; Certificate in Recreation and Facilities Management; is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is currently completing a Bachelor of Laws.
Julie played, coached and officiated in Basketball and Football at the community through to elite level. Julie has competed in seven World Masters Games winning Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.
Julie is a lifelong advocate of women’s sports and is currently the Women’s Sport Lead responsible for the establishment of the Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Centre for Women’s Sport.
Nicole has worked at both club and state sporting organisation levels and was employed at SA Country Basketball as a Member and Executive Support Officer. Prior to this, she provided administrative and marketing services to South Adelaide Basketball.
Nicole has been a small business owner and consultant and a project coordinator at Flinders University. Nicole was a participant in the AIS Women Leaders In Sport – Leadership Workshops, Basketball SA – Female Participation Strategy Action Group Member and SA Country Basketball – Women Leaders In Basketball.
Sophie joined Sport SA while undertaking a social media and marketing internship at Softball SA. A keen softballer herself, and an advocate for women's participation in sport, Sophie is excited to play a role in fostering participation and furthering the growth of sport in South Australia through the delivery of targeted marketing and social media activities. Sophie is in her third year of media and marketing at the University of Adelaide.