People

Shaping athletic excellence.

The members of the UNSW Sports Advisory Council were impressed with the progress on site. Photo: UNSW Sport

Welcome to the dynamic world of UNSW Sport. We're all about unleashing the power of sports to energise and engage students, alumni, and our vibrant community. We're dedicated to ensuring that every aspect of the university sporting experience, from grassroots participation to elite high-performance levels, is inclusive and serves as an inspiring pathway to excellence.

Staff

Head of Sport & Local Community

Ensure UNSW Sport has a strong profile locally, nationally and internationally, through building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Drive the delivery and activation of the UNSW Sports Strategy’s three key strategic objectives: increasing student participation in physical activity; supporting excellence and strengthening partnerships.  

Sport & Community Engagement Manager

Leading UNSW Sport Partnerships, including NSW Waratahs, Sydney Swans, Sydney FC, Randwick Rugby, Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT, Souths Cares and Sydney Comets. Strategically aligning across UNSW to maximise the value of partnerships in the areas of Pathways, Scholarships, Student Engagement, Educational Excellence, Societal Impact, UNSW Sport Clubs, Media/Branding and Facilities.

Sport Development Manager

Focusing on strategy development and relationship management. Shaping the future of our sports initiatives through innovative strategies, while nurturing strong connections within the University and our incredible partners.

Elite Athlete Coordinator

Overseeing the UNSW Elite Athlete Program and supporting student athletes so that they can continue to perform at an elite level while also completing their university degree.

Media & Events

Focusing on event management, social media, and media communications through our website. Drive impactful strategies, ensuring seamless execution of events and maximizing our digital presence.

Elite Athlete Coordinator

Overseeing the UNSW Elite Athlete Program and supporting student athletes so that they can continue to perform at an elite level while also completing their university degree.

Sports Advisory Council

Simon is a UNSW Foundation Board Director who co-founded the establishment of the UNSW Ben Lexcen Sports Scholarship in 1988. He is a former Wallabies captain, playing 59 Rugby Union Test matches for Australia from 1980 to 1991 and has extensive experience in the funds management industry.

Prue Watt OAM is one of Australia’s most successful Paralympic swimmers. She represented Australia at the four Paralympic Games held between 2004 and 2016. At the Athens 2004 Games, she brought home five silver medals and one bronze medal – an outstanding result, which led to her being awarded the 2004 Australian Paralympic Committee Female Junior Paralympian of the Year.

Andrew is a wheelchair rugby player who made his Paralympic debut in Rio, where the Australian Steelers became the first team in wheelchair rugby history to win consecutive Paralympic gold medals and a World Championship title in a four-year period. 

One of Australia’s most successful ever cricketers, Alex Blackwell played 12 Test matches, 144 One Day Internationals and 95 T20 Internationals for her country. A vocal advocate for equality, Blackwell has been at the forefront during a time of rapid change for the women’s game that has brought increased pay and professionalism.

Melanie Webb is a doctor and former Olympic windsurfer, one of the first recipients of a Ben Lexcen Sports Scholarship, and has been inducted into the UNSW Sport Hall of Fame. She continues to be involved with the sport, holding coaching positions with state and national windsurfing teams.

Paul Clitheroe is a keen sailor and a widely respected financial adviser and a Director of ipac Securities, a company which he founded with four partners in 1983 that is now one of Australia’s leading financial planning firms. He was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2003, an OAM in 1988, and an AM in 2018.

Matt Carroll is an accomplished senior sports executive with over two decades’ experience. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer at the Australian Olympic Committee, having previously worked in an executive capacity at Australian Sailing, Rugby Australia and Football Federation Australia.

Stephanie Brantz is a multifaceted sports media professional with extensive experience across various networks, covering major events like the FIFA World Cup and Australian Open. She's also involved in advisory roles for sports diplomacy initiatives and game-changing programs.

Rebecca Beeson has a diverse career spanning sports and business, currently contributing to UNSW's Active Women Strategy Executive Committee while playing for GWS Giants in the AFLW since 2016. Additionally, she has held various roles including Business Marketing Coordinator and Consultant at Athlete2Business and Investmentor, showcasing her expertise in both fields.

Henry Hutchison, a seasoned rugby professional, currently plays for Rugby Australia and holds coaching roles at Old Ignatians Football Club, while also serving on the board of Rugby Union Players' Association and as an ASICS Ambassador. His diverse background includes sales experience with Commonwealth Bank and coaching stints at various institutions, showcasing his multifaceted expertise in both sports and business domains.

Fiona Pak-Poy, an experienced Chair and non-executive director across various industries, holds pivotal roles like Chair of Tyro Payments and non-executive director of Kain Lawyers. Known for her strategic insight and community involvement, Fiona also mentors elite female athletes and has secured grants for innovative projects like the revamp of the David Phillips complex.