Minister for Sport, Anika Wells, has appointed former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins AO as Chair of the Australian Sports Commission for a five-year term.
Ms Jenkins is an accomplished leader with 30 years' experience spanning human rights, discrimination, the law and sport and has led on key sport reforms including the independent review of Gymnastics in Australia while also serving on the board of AFL club Carlton and Chairing grassroots sport initiative Play by the Rules.
She will bring a unique skill set as ASC Chair, having navigated complex environments and delivered lasting reform to improve safety, wellbeing and governance.
Ms Jenkins' extensive experience includes roles as the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner, Employment Law Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills and Chair of Creative Workplaces Council.
Ms Jenkins was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for her contribution to human rights governance, advancing gender equity, the promotion of inclusivity, and the law.
The Minister also announced the appointment of decorated Olympic and Paralympic medallists Nicholas Green OAM OLY, and Dr Bridie Kean PLY, both as board members for three-year terms. These appointments followed an open merit-based national recruitment process.
Mr Green is a dual Olympic gold medallist and senior executive with experience working in large global corporations, the public sector, and not-for-profit organisations. He has held sport roles as Chief Executive Officer of Cycling Australia, Director of the Australian Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Australia, President of the Victorian Olympic Council, and Chef de Mission of the 2012 Australian Olympic Team.
Dr Kean is a dual Paralympic medallist and lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast.
She served as the Paralympic athlete representative during the Brisbane 2032 bid process and was recently appointed Deputy Chef de Mission of the 2024 Australian Paralympic Team.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport, Anika Wells:
"These appointments will help us address a critical period for Australian sport, as we navigate through the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and ramp up preparations for Brisbane 2032.
"Kate Jenkins is an outstanding administrator who has improved systems and sectors throughout a decorated career that includes significant reforms in sport.
"Ms Jenkins' background in human rights and as Sex Discrimination Commissioner will be invaluable for the sporting community.
"I very much look forward to working with Kate, Nick and Bridie as they support the sector.
"I also thank outgoing chairperson Ms Josephine Sukkar AM for her leadership of the Commission and ongoing contribution to Australian sport."
Quotes attributable to ASC Chair, Kate Jenkins:
"We are in an exciting period for Australian sport and I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute to the work being done by the Australian Sports Commission as Chair.
"The ASC plays an incredibly important national leadership role - for all sports and all Australians.
"Through its work increasing participation for Australians and supporting performance at the highest levels, I know the ASC helps unite, inspire and connect Australia.
"If we can harness the opportunities ahead of us, I'm confident Australia's sporting system can be the world's best."
