Our team

Our Board

UniSport Australia (UniSport) is a not for profit company limited by guarantee. UniSport is governed by a nine person board comprised of six member elected directors, two independent directors appointed by the board, and one director appointed by Universities Australia.

Each elected Board Director and the Chair serve on the board for an initial two year term, after which they can choose to submit a nomination to be re-elected for a further term.

The board meets a minimum of five times per year and is represented by the following people.

David Schmude

Chair – Member elected, 2016–current

David has extensive experience in sport management and marketing at a national and regional level. As UNE Life CEO at the University of New England in Armidale, David has a proven track record in extending sport’s influence in the community and corporate sector to improve student services and enhance university sport’s profile, including forging partnerships with multiple state and regional sport organisations.

He shares UniSport Australia’s commitment to foster university sport as a part of university life and represent university students’ sporting needs in government decision making. At UNE, David has spearheaded policy initiatives that enhance the place and potential of university sport, especially for regional universities who typically combine an on-campus residential population with externally enrolled students living in various cities and regions.

Katrina O'Mahony

Deputy Chair – Director – Member elected, 2018–current

BA (Hons)

Katrina has 15 years’ experience working in sport, within tertiary, not for profit, and commercial sectors. With over a decade in sports marketing she brings strong commercial, brand and marketing expertise to the board. Katrina has worked with global brands to drive business objectives through sport, leading the delivery of international sponsorships at the Australian Open Tennis, Hong Kong 7’s Rugby Union, London 2012 Olympics, and Paralympic World Cup.

Katrina’s experience spans multiple markets, having cultivated her career in London, Hong Kong and Sydney, bringing with her different cultural perspectives on the value of sport. In her current role as CEO of ANU Sport, located in Canberra, Katrina is responsible for all campus sport and physical activity.

Katrina is passionate about sport and believes in its power to deliver social change and build community – particularly within the tertiary education sector. She was a representative netballer and the founder of the Women in Sport group.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Arts (Hons) English and Philosophy – University of Leeds

Prof Peter Dawkins AO

Director – Appointed / Universities Australia recommended, 2020–current)

Peter Dawkins has been Vice-Chancellor and President of Victoria University since January 2011. This follows six years in high-level leadership roles for the Victorian Government, and twenty-eight years in the university sector.

Peter is a regular contributor to policy debates in the area of education, especially tertiary education and is passionate about the power of education. He is committed to giving students in the west of Melbourne, and beyond, access to a transformational student experience and quality educational opportunities. Above all, he believes in opportunity for all, that any student, from any background, has the right to access quality education to set them up for success.

Peter was awarded an Order of Australia in the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his outstanding service to tertiary education as an administrator and academic.

In his own time, Peter is a keen sports enthusiast. Having been a club cricketer and a coach, he continues to follow cricket with keen interest and is also a "one-eyed" Western Bulldogs supporter.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science - Loughborough University

Master of Science - University of London

Chris Massey

Director – Member elected, 2017–current

GAICD Med MBA BPE

Chris brings 28 years’ education sector experience encompassing tertiary and secondary teaching, physical education, and management of an educational self-esteem program in Australia and Singapore. Part of UWA’s senior leadership team and reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Chris is UWA Student Life Director and UWA Critical Incident Team Deputy Chair. He’s responsible for leading, driving and implementing the UWA student experience and his portfolio includes oversight of UWA Sport, Student Accommodation Office, Health Promotion Unit, Medical Centre and Early Learning Centres. He’s passionate about the value sport offers in the education sector including participation, volunteering and leadership opportunities and believes that sport is a sound investment from graduate, employer and universities’ perspectives. Chris is Leadership WA Fellow, UWA Football Club Life Member and recipient of a UWA Excellence in Teaching Award.

Qualifications

Doctorate of Education (in progress) (The University of Western Australia)

Diploma Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors (Australian Institute of Company Directors)

Master of Education (The University of Western Australia)

Master of Business Administration (Edith Cowan University)

Graduate Diploma of Management (Edith Cowan University)

Diploma of Education (The University of Western Australia)

Bachelor of Physical Education (The University of Western Australia)

Elizabeth Morgan-Brett

Director - Member elected, 2020–current

OLY

Elizabeth (Liz) been the CEO for ActivateUTS for the past nine years.

ActivateUTS is a key strategic partner of the University of Technology Sydney and primarily a student-centered organization that also caters for the broader community. The company has a strong commercial presence both on and off campus, including Cafe's, Bars, Retail, Fitness Centers, Function Center (400pax) and a Licensed Club at Haberfield.

ActivateUTS is also responsible for the delivery of all co-curricular activities and events for UTS, including Sport, Health and Wellbeing, Fitness, Intervarsity competitions and the Elite Athlete Program.

As an Olympian (Sydney 2000) and chef de mission for the UniRoos at the past three World University Games, Liz recognises the critical role sport plays in Australia and the World University sector. Liz is passionate about sport being an incredible vehicle for change.

Qualifications
Diploma of Governance AICD

Executive MBA - University of Technology Sydney

Graduate Diploma MBA - University of Technology Sydney

Paul McJannett

Director - Member elected, 2019 - current

Paul has 23 years’ experience in the co-curricular Australian Higher Education sector with experience extending across multiple disciplines. Dedicated to his current role as the Director of Student Engagement and Services at the Australian Catholic University, Paul is committed to promoting student equity, access to higher education and engagement through holistic support and programs. This has involved establishing sporting programs, accommodation and medical structures nationally for the Australian Catholic University.

Former CEO of the University of Sydney Union, Paul has extensive experience leading and managing change in large and complex organisations.

Paul is passionate about sport and has served many years as a volunteer in the sports of surf lifesaving and water polo and is currently a delegate to the Australian Water Polo League and a member of the Executive Committee of the Sydney University men’s water polo club, one of the largest and most successful University sporting clubs in Australia. He recognises the important role UniSport Australia plays in facilitating a rich aspirational sporting pathway.

Qualifications

Graduate Certificate, Catholic Culture & Leadership

Graduate, Australian Institute of Company Directors

Graduate Diploma in Property Investment & Finance, Property Council of Australia

Business Management Certificate, Australian Institute of Management

Bachelor of Building (Hons 1st), UNSW

Diploma of Teaching SCAE

Dr Lisa Gowthorp

Director - Member elected, 2020 - current

Lisa is an Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Bond University, and the Associate Dean of External Engagement in the Business School.

Lisa has previously worked in high performance sport for over 12 years, with organisations such as the NSWIS, the AIS, Gymnastics Australia and Australian Canoeing. She has managed sport teams at World Championships and the Olympic Games.

Lisa is passionate about high performance sport, governance and policy and undertakes research in these areas. She is also a Director of Paddle Australia, and Vice-President of SMAANZ (Sport Management Australia and New Zealand).

Lisa continually consults with industry on governance issues and sport policy.

Qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy (Griffith University)

Master of International Sport Management (Southern Cross University)

Bachelor of Education (PD/H/PE) (Newcastle University)

Sophie Curtis

Director - Board appointed, 2020 - current

Sophie has worked in the University sports sector for 10 years, currently at Macquarie University as the Manager for Sport Development and previously at Queensland University of Technology as their Sport Manager. Her focus is the strategic development and delivery of programs, events, and policies that drive positive organisational and cultural change in the University sport environment.

A natural influencer and leader, Sophie is committed to challenging organisations to expand their capacity to promote diversity and create inclusive environments. She initiates and advocates for programs that bring students and sport together and understands the positive impact sport has on student wellbeing and student engagement with University life.

Sophie is a respected change agent with a reputation for delivering high quality programs and initiatives that support organisational goals and create opportunities for meaningful engagement with students.

A strategic thinker with strong business acumen, Sophie is skilled at stakeholder engagement at all levels and brings a collaborative, positive approach to the table.

Sophie is passionate about sport and hopes to be a custodian for University sport in the sector to ensure future generations can experience the community that sport provides.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Sport and Tourism Management - Southern Cross University

Mark Sinderberry

UniSport CEO

Mark commenced his role as UniSport CEO in December 2018.

Mark was the founding chief executive of the ACT Brumbies Rugby in 1995, and spent six years as Group CEO of English premiership club Saracens, and four years as CEO of the Western Force.

"I am delighted to be joining UniSport Australia at this significant time, with the opportunity to build on the work that has commenced under Don Knapp and the UniSport Board to fully develop and implement the divisional and national sports model,” Mark said.

“I am particularly keen to work with the UniSport staff to ensure we are driving value to our members, and supporting them to provide the opportunity for all students to have a healthy, active, engaged, and well-rounded higher education experience”.