Our People

As a recently retired Principal of a local primary school, Matthew brings to the Sports Focus Board strong leadership and a wealth of knowledge in the area of governance. Matthew is also a highly credentialed coach in the sport of Kayaking, having been long involved in the sport and a founding member of the Goldfields Paddlers club . Matthew has a special affinity with grassroots sport.

Financial Controller at a local business with a Degree in Accounting, Sandra loves her football and cricket and is avid supporter of community sport. Sandra has extensive experience in financial management in both the private and public sector.

In 2025 Sandra was appointed Deputy Chair by her peers.

Kylie joins the Sports Focus board in 2018 having experienced governance at both a club and association level in the sport of hockey. Kylie was the recipient of the Sports Focus ‘Administrator of the Year’ award in 2015 and sees this opportunity of joining the Sports Focus board as a way of further developing her understanding of good governance.

David is a highly experienced and well regarded health practitioner having previously held the position of CEO at Central Victorian Health Alliance. David, who currently lectures in Paramedicine at La Trobe Rural Health School at La Trobe University, Bendigo, brings a high level of expertise in the health promotion field, along with considerable knowledge in program/project evaluation.

Andrew brings corporate experience in strategy, business planning, program management, and organisational change.

Andrew has held leadership roles with Scouts Australia and contributed as a mentor and leader across various roles including a stint on National Executive Council.  He has a varied sporting history combining adventure sports like canoeing, cross-country skiing, and caving with more traditional sports such as football, basketball, netball, and squash.

Andrew currently coaches U18/20 women’s basketball, is u18 girls age group coordinator at a local club and stays active through gym and gravel cycling.   He is passionate about the positive impact community organisations can have and has a particular focus on capacity building of young people through leadership, engagement and inclusion.

Kirsty joined the Board late 2024. As Associate Dean of Research at La Trobe University’s Rural Health School and a researcher specialising in gender-based violence in sport, she brings expertise in evidence base and research translation. She also brings expertise in legal practice having worked as a corporate lawyer in the U.K. in a previous life. Kirsty is passionate about grass roots sport having played rugby union and hockey for several years both in the UK and in Australia, been a volunteer across several sports, and she can still be seen attempting to compete in triathlon and cycling.

Jacqui joined the Sports Focus Board of Management in 2023. Jacqui is a motorsport enthusiast that has a real passion for community sport having been involved as a volunteer in swimming, hockey, gridiron and MTB. Having previously volunteered at a committee level, Jacqui has joined the Sports Focus board to improve her understanding of good governance at a board level.

Anne-Marie is currently employed with the University of Melbourne, Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health as Senior Health Promotion Manager and works in Strategy, Planning and Analysis at Bendigo Community Health Services.  With a robust background in health promotion, community development and adept risk management, Anne-Marie is driven by a passion for harnessing the power of sport and recreation to foster interconnected and inclusive rural and regional communities.

Anne-Marie currently sits on the board of Rochester Elmore District Health Service.