Josephine Sukkar appointed first female chair of Australian Sports Commission

Respected business figure Josephine Sukkar has been appointed as the first female chair of the Australian Sports Commission.

Josephine Sukkar will be the first female chair of the Australian Sports Commission

Respected business figure Josephine Sukkar has been appointed as the first female chair of the Australian Sports Commission, one of the most important and influential roles in the country’s sporting ecosystem.

The co-founder and principal of Buildcorp Group as well as the President of Australian Women’s Rugby, Sukkar takes over the reins from John Wylie, who finished up in November after eight years at the helm, and also former marathon champion Steve Moneghetti, who briefly served as temporary chair.

As part of her responsibilities to drive the broader sports sector, Sukkar will also oversee Sport Australia, which includes the Australian Institute of Sport and all the high-performance programs.

Sukkar’s broad experience in business and the not-for-profit sector includes serving on the boards of Opera Australia, the Australian Museum, Melbourne University Infrastructure Advisory Board and the Sydney University Football Club Foundation.

“I look forward to engaging with Australian athletes and sports organisations to address their

challenges, particularly those posed by COVID-19,” Sukkar said.

“I also want to help them achieve their goals and build participation in our many sports.”

Federal Sports Minister Richard Colbeck said Sukkar was the ideal person to take Australian sport forward through the stormy times we live in after leading her family own business for three decades, through the global financial crisis and now the coronavirus pandemic.

“Sporting clubs and organisations at every level faced the most challenging of circumstances

in 2020. COVID-19 has changed how we all participate in or watch our favourite sports,” Colbeck said.

“Ms Sukkar will play a vital part in shaping the future of sport and I look forward to working

with her to ensure the sport sector in Australia is prepared, adaptable and resilient.”

Sukkar has been appointed for a three-year term, commencing in early February, after being recommended by the newly formed Sports Appointments Selection Committee, which includes Paralympic wheelchair legend Louise Sauvage, former world champion swimmer Sam Riley and ex-Matildas vice-captain Moya Dodd.

The chief executive position, vacated by Kate Palmer, remains vacant but is likely to be filled soon now that the new chair has been chosen.

Sport Australia acting CEO Rob Dalton said Sukkar’s appointment came at a pivotal time.

“We congratulate Josephine on her appointment and look forward to working with her to confront the challenges that our industry is facing now and into the future,” Dalton said.

“Josephine’s career in sport extends from the community level right through to the boardroom and when coupled with her outstanding record in business she is well positioned to lead the rebuild of sport as we look to emerge from the pandemic in a position of strength.”

AIS chief executive Peter Conde predicts a busy first year in the role for Sukkar.

“The AIS is celebrating 40 years in 2021, we’ve achieved an incredible amount and we have the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games on our immediate horizon,” Conde said. “But the future is what excites us most, especially with a decade of major events coming to Australia like the women’s World Cups of basketball and football and even a potential bid for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.

“So our focus remains on getting ahead of sporting trends and being a world leader. We look forward to the leadership Josephine and the ASC Board will provide, which will be instrumental in the ongoing evolution of the AIS and Australian sport.”

The Daily Telegraph