UniSport Australia welcomes David Russell to the national board

At the 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Brisbane today, Dr Lisa Gowthorp and David Russell were elected to the board of UniSport Australia for the next three years.

After joining the Board in 2020, Dr Gowthorp starts her second term in 2023. An Associate Professor of Sport Management at Bond University, Gowthorp is passionate about high performance sport, governance, and policy.

At the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting, Dr Gowthorp was confirmed as the new Chair of UniSport, replacing outgoing board member, Chris Massey.

Massey has been on the Board of UniSport Australia since 2017 and was elected Chair in 2021. Dr Lisa Gowthorp thanked and acknowledged outgoing Chair Chris Massey for his contribution to the sector.

“Chris has made an outstanding contribution to the university sector over many years. Significantly to both The University of Western Australia and UniSport Australia, particularly as the organisation navigated through the pandemic” Gowthorp said.

“I would like to thank Chris for his contribution and wish him well into the future” added Lisa.

David Russell from Curtin University was also confirmed to fill the remaining vacant Board position. David is currently the Head of Sport and Recreation at Curtin University, a position he has held since 2014. David’s career in the sport and recreation industry has spanned over 35 years, including holding positions at The University of Western Australia and Edith Cowan University.

On his appointment to the Board, David expressed that he was “thrilled to be elected as a Board Member for UniSport Australia and I am very excited about making a positive contribution to the National agenda.”

“I am certainly looking forward to supporting my Board colleagues and the broader membership base,” said Russell.

UniSport Australia Chief Executive Officer, Mark Sinderberry welcomed both David and Lisa to the board, and he looks forward to working with them into their new term. Sinderberry also congratulated Paul McJannett who was elected as Deputy Chair.

For the full list of UniSport Australia Board members click here

About UniSport

UniSport Australia (UniSport) is the peak body for university sport in Australia. 43 universities are members of UniSport, representing a population of over one million students. UniSport’s ambition is to become an integral partner to Australian universities and to deliver an outstanding student experience at our national intervarsity competitions.

More information on UniSport: www.unisport.com.au

For more information please contact:

Kylie Bloodworth

Marketing and Communications Manager

Mobile: 0449 949 916

Email: kylie.bloodworth@unisport.com.au