Inclusion and Diversity videos

The 2021 Diversity and Inclusion in Sport Forum was a livestreamed panel discussion conducted in October 2021 with Scott McDougall, Carmel Guerra OAM, Lilian Shamoon, Maia Tua Davidson, Faye Shee-Durnion, Kerry Tavrou, Courtney Hagen, Mark deWeerd, Taliqua Clancy and Tanya Hosch, discussing issues affecting Multicultural Youth and Indigenous Youth across Australia.

The 2020 Diversity and Inclusion in Sport Forum was a livestreamed panel discussion conducted in October 2020 with Beau Newell, Moya Dodd, Dr Ben Gauntlett and Sam Turner considering the impact of COVID-19 on culture, diversity and inclusion in sport. 

Karen has spent 19+ years at Basketball Victoria as General Manager Inclusion and Strategy championing the inclusion investment across a wide variety of platforms and earned respect for her vision, forethought and ability to influence and assist others to step into this space. She is now currently the Executive Manager Women and Girls at Football Victoria.

Cassie has over twenty years’ experience working across government, industry, not-for-profit, education and sports sectors. Recognised as a prevention of violence and gender equality expert in the sports environment, Cassie has developed tailored programs for Rugby Australia, NRL, AFL, FFA and Netball Australia to build their capability for positive cultural change.

Few people have the drive and dedication of Mitch McPherson. When his younger brother Ty took his own life in 2013, Mitch, a glazier by trade, turned the devastating loss into the successful suicide prevention charity SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY.

Dr Niki Vincent is the South Australian Commissioner for Equal Opportunity. Prior to this appointment, Niki held the position of CEO of the Leaders Institute of SA which, amongst other programs and initiatives, delivers the renowned Governor’s Leadership Foundation (for the development of wiser, more ethical and adaptive leadership for the common good). She has authored numerous academic publications. She is also a member of the Play by the Rules Management Committee. 

Julie Inman Grant is the eSafety Commissioner. She commenced this five year appointment in January 2017. Julie has extensive experience in the non-profit and government sectors, and spent two decades working in senior public policy and safety roles in the tech industry at Microsoft, Twitter, and most recently Adobe.

Peter Rubinstein is Managing Director of Media Heads. He has spent more than four decades working in the entertainment and media industries, in Australia and the US, and has more than 29 years’ experience dealing with Government on major campaigns and initiatives. Peter is also a highly respected oral historian.

Dave Carter is Director of Content and Strategy at Media Heads and has worked in the media industry for 33 years, developing radio and TV content as well as numerous national awareness campaigns. He has extensive experience as a copywriter and is highly regarded for product creation and format development.

Shari is the Member Protection Officer for Maccabi Australia and is passionate about sport and recreation being welcoming, inclusive and safe for everyone. She is also the All Abilities Inclusion Coordinator for Maccabi Victoria, and works in the fitness industry with older adults and people with disabilities.

Patrick Kidd has been employed as a principal consultant in Deloitte since leaving the Australian Army in early 2015. He was seconded from Deloitte to be the CEO of the Invictus Games Sydney in December 2016 after winning the bid to host the Games and he then led the planning and delivery of the Games building a team of over 140 full time staff and 1000 volunteers. Before joining Deloitte Patrick had a 30-year career in the British and Australian defence forces during which he had the privilege to work alongside people from many different nations leading teams in dynamic and challenging environments; his operational service has included extended service in the Balkans, the Middle East and Asia.

Yashar is the project officer at ‘GoActive’, a health and fitness initiative run by the Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA) for girls and women. Yashar is driven to promote physical and social well-being programs, provide social and emotional learning to youth and ultimately provide an opportunity to all women to lead healthier lives, primarily through participation in sporting and health programs.

Beau Newell is the National Program Manager of Pride in Sport Australia, an Australian first sporting inclusion program specifically designed to assist sporting organisations at all levels with the inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) employees, members, volunteers and spectators.

Jo Fernandes has worked in football administration for more than 20 years. On graduating from the University of Canberra, she commenced her professional career at the ACT Women’s Soccer Association, before becoming the Team Manager for the Westfield Matildas. She was then General Manager Westfield W-League within the FFA, before moving to her current role at Football NSW. Jo was the first female to be appointed to manage a Final at a Men’s Football Tournament - the 2017 FIFA Under 17 World Cup in India – and only a few months ago she worked as a General Coordinator at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia - the first time a female had been appointed to this role.

A former elite Australian rules footballer, television and radio sports commentator, Chyloe Kurdas has spent a decade building the catalyst for Australia’s first ever national women’s professional competition, AFLW, as AFL Victoria’s Female Football Development Manager. In doing so, Chyloe combined her studies and work in health promotion, psychology and education to build award winning high performance sporting programs for adolescent girls that focus on the whole athlete.

Emma Staples is the Diversity & Community Engagement Manager at Cricket Victoria. With Post Graduate studies in Public Health and an equality and equity advocate, her work involves driving cultural change across the business and the broader cricket community to embrace diversity. Previously she has worked as a senior advisor in community sport and recreation for the Victorian Minister for Sport and Recreation and as a Health Promotion project lead using sport for social change in India, Fiji and remote Australian Indigenous communities.

Dr Jeff Walkley is the National Disability & Diversity Manager with Belgravia Leisure, and CEO of the Belgravia Foundation. Over four decades, Jeff has made exemplary contributions in sport, inclusion, physical activity, physical education, and disability. He has created sustained improvements in sport, physical education and inclusion in Australia. His achievements have led to his advice being sought by government departments and national and state sport organisations. He has provided expert advice in legal proceedings related to inclusion, culminating in improved access to sport for girls and women.

Dr Sean Gorman has worked in the Indigenous studies programs at Murdoch University, Edith Cowan University, the University of Melbourne and Curtin University. Gorman’s PhD was published by Allen and Unwin in 2005. Brotherboys: The Story of Jim and Phillip Krakouer was adapted for theatre and commenced a national tour in 2011.

Tavale Ilalio is the Creative Director of Mahana Culture. He works to support people and organisations to harness the power of Culture and Diversity in their professional lives. Tavale brings a passion for what truly harnessing and celebrating diversity in the sport and community looks like, and the endless possibilities it can bring if done well and with cultural dignity.

Wayne Herbert is a prominent, in-demand, and outspoken public speaker, presenter, advocate, and writer promoting the rights of and opportunities for people with disability and people in the LGBTIQ community. As a leader, Wayne has a unique, humorous, thought-provoking, and challenging insight into why diversity and inclusion matters.

Julia Symons has worked in sports administration, community engagement, communications and philanthropy across the corporate, not-for-profit and sports sectors in Australia, Hong Kong and Fiji. She currently works in the Strategic Partnerships and Projects team at Australia Post. Julia was a recipient of a 2017 Churchill Fellowship, investigating cultural diversity in elite women’s sport.

Lisa Laing has worked in the AFL Industry for 14 years, 9 years in the AFL leading a team responsible for membership services across the AFL Industry and 5 years St Kilda FC initially leading the Consumer Business and currently the Saints Community Engagement and Football programs. Lisa is an alumni of the Leadership Victoria FOLIO Community Leadership Program and is passionate about bringing social issues to the fore through the powerful voice of elite sports people and clubs.

Megan Mitchell is Australia’s first National Children’s Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission, appointed in 2013. Megan has previous experience in both government and non-government roles in child protection, out-of-home care, youth justice, disability, and early childhood services. In her role as Commissioner, Megan focuses solely on the rights and interests of children, and the laws, policies and programs that impact on them.

Irena has a deep passion for projects that promote healthier lifestyles, particularly access to sports for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.Irena has been involved with Deaf Sports Australia for 8 years where she established the Active Deaf Kids and Active Deaf Sports Club programs.

Nick Hatzoglou is the Manager of Club Cricket with Cricket Australia. He is Australian-born with Greek heritage and has a passion for cultural diversity and sport. He combines experience gained within the multicultural sector, local government, Australian Football League and Football Federation Victoria with his appreciation of the positive role sport plays in a vibrant multicultural Australia.