Athletics Australia chief executive stands down

Athletics Australia’s well-liked chief executive Phil Jones has resigned.

Athletics Australia boss Phil Jones has stood down. Picture: Athletics Australia

Athletics Australia’s well-liked chief executive Phil Jones has resigned after spending 2½ years commuting from Sydney to Melbourne for work.

Jones, the former Sailing Australia chief executive who oversaw the rise of that sport’s national team to a triple gold medal triumph at the 2012 Olympics, leaves athletics in a much stronger position than it was three years ago.

He applied for the role of NSW Institute of Sport chief executive earlier this year but was the victim of a power struggle between the NSW government and conservative powerbroker and commentator Alan Jones, the deputy chairman of the NSWIS board.

Phil Jones was the preferred candidate of the NSW Office of Sport but Alan Jones wouldn’t have a bar of him, despite his obvious credentials. By contrast, Athletics Australia would have loved to hold on to him.

“Whilst we understand and support his reasons for moving on, we shall be very sorry to see Phil leave,” Athletics Australia president Mark Arbib said.

“Phil came to the Athletics Australia at a very difficult time, initially in an interim capacity. He quickly built a team and put structures in place that allowed the organisation to move forward.

“Phil has led the development of excellent partnerships with our many stakeholders including our own member associations, Little Athletics, parkrun and others.’’

Arbib said Jones had been “central’’ to the development of the innovative and successful Nitro Athletics series and a range of other initiatives.

“Our overall performances at Rio, the recent world relay championship and other international events continue to show improvement. Athletics is now on the up and this is in large part due to Phil’s great work.”

Jones said it had been “a pleasure and a privilege’’ to work for Athletics Australia.

“I am very grateful to the board, management and staff for their support during a period of significant and rapid change for the organisation. It was never going to be an easy journey.

“We have built a solid base on which the sport in Australia can continue to build.’’

Jones said he sought to spend more time in Sydney with his school-aged children. He will finish his role at month’s end.