Our Team

Our Board

UniSport Australia (UniSport) is a not for profit company limited by guarantee. UniSport is governed by a nine person board comprised of six member elected directors, two independent directors appointed by the board, and one director appointed by Universities Australia.

Each elected Board Director and the Chair serve on the board for an initial two year term, after which they can choose to submit a nomination to be re-elected for a further term.

The board meets a minimum of five times per year and is represented by the following people.

Our board

Dr Lisa Gowthorp

Chair - Director - Member elected, 2020-current

Lisa is an Associate Professor of Sport Management at Bond University, and the Associate Dean of External Engagement in the Business School.

Lisa has previously worked in high performance sport for over 12 years, with organisations such as the NSWIS, the AIS, Gymnastics Australia and Australian Canoeing. She has managed sport teams at World Championships and the Olympic Games.

Lisa is passionate about high performance sport, governance and policy and undertakes research in these areas. She is also a Director of Paddle Australia, and Vice-President of SMAANZ (Sport Management Australia and New Zealand).

Lisa continually consults with industry on governance issues and sport policy.

Qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy - Griffith University

Master of International Sport Management - Southern Cross University

Bachelor of Education (PD/H/PE) - Newcastle University

Paul McJannett

Deputy Chair - Director - Member elected, 2019 - current

Paul has 23 years’ experience in the co-curricular Australian Higher Education sector with experience extending across multiple disciplines. Paul is committed to promoting student equity, access to higher education and engagement through holistic support and programs. This has involved establishing sporting programs, accommodation and medical structures nationally at two Australian universities.

Former CEO of the University of Sydney Union, Paul has extensive experience leading and managing change in large and complex organisations.

Paul is passionate about sport and has served many years as a volunteer in the sports of surf lifesaving and water polo and is currently a delegate to the Australian Water Polo League and a member of the Executive Committee of the Sydney University men’s water polo club, one of the largest and most successful University sporting clubs in Australia. He recognises the important role UniSport Australia plays in facilitating a rich aspirational sporting pathway.

Qualifications

Graduate Certificate, Catholic Culture & Leadership

Graduate - Australian Institute of Company Directors

Graduate Diploma in Property Investment & Finance - Property Council of Australia

Business Management Certificate, Australian Institute of Management

Bachelor of Building (Hons 1st) - The University of New South Wales

Diploma of Teaching - SCAE

Deborah Wright

Director - Appointed, 2022 - current

A highly skilled and respected senior executive and Board Director with expertise in providing dynamic leadership, strategic direction, change management and an empowered people and culture environment. Deborah has over 30 years of senior management and Board experience in broadcasting, media and telecommunications, tertiary sector, aviation industry and sport industry.

Previous senior roles include CEO of NBN Television Network, Director of Regional Strategy for Nine Entertainment Co, CEO of 2NURFM, the University of Newcastle’s community radio station, and currently CEO of Newcastle University Sport. Deborah, until her appointment to 2NURFM, served on the Council for the University of Newcastle for over 11 years. During her term on Council Deborah was Chair of the People and Culture Committee, Chair of 2NURFM Advisory Board and a member of the Strategic Development Committee.

Deborah has also held many broadcasting and industry Board Directorships over the past 20 years including Chair of Regional TAM and Chair of WIN NBN Sales.

Deborah has a Master of Business Administration, a Diploma in Teaching, is a Fellow of the Australian Marketing Institute, is a Certified Practising Marketer and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Deborah is passionate about the Hunter region and its community as reflected in her professional roles and regional Board Directorships over the years, which have included the Hunter Economic Development Corporation, the Newcastle Airport, the Council of the University of Newcastle, and Chair of 2NURFM Advisory Board.

Qualifications

Master of Business Administration - Southern Cross University

Diploma in Secondary Education - NCAE / University of Newcastle

Barry Wallett

Director - Appointed, 2022 - current

Barry Wallett has been working as a senior executive in the education sector for the last 20 years and involved in professional advocacy work in Canberra for the last 35 years. He is a former journalist, has a communications and marketing degree and is currently working as a government and media relations advisor, primarily in the not-for-profit sectors.

Barry has worked on a number of high-profile advocacy campaigns for the
education, health, mining and social welfare sectors. He has won several
communications awards and over many years has had considerable involvement in a range of high-level individual and team sporting activities covering hockey, cricket, swimming, cycling, triathlon and AFLW.

He was previously Executive Director (2018-20) and Deputy Executive Director (from 2009) of the Independent Schools Council of Australia, Chief Executive Officer of the Construction Industry Training and Employment Association (CITEA); General Manager, Australian National University’s ANU College and Divisional Manager for the ANU Education Centre.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Communications - University of Canberra

Mark Sinderberry

Chief Executive Officer

Mark commenced his role as UniSport Australia's CEO in December 2018.

Mark was the founding chief executive of the ACT Brumbies Rugby in 1995, and spent six years as Group CEO of English premiership club Saracens, and four years as CEO of the Western Force.

"I am delighted to be joining UniSport Australia at this significant time, with the opportunity to build on the work that has commenced under Don Knapp and the UniSport Board to fully develop and implement the divisional and national sports model,” Mark said.

“I am particularly keen to work with the UniSport staff to ensure we are driving value to our members, and supporting them to provide the opportunity for all students to have a healthy, active, engaged, and well-rounded higher education experience”.