Kate Palmer appointed to Athletics Australia Board

November 25, 2020

Sport /

Athletics Australia has announced the appointment of former Sport Australia Chief Executive Kate Palmer to its Board of Directors.

Advising that the appointment of Palmer to its Board of Directors will further strengthen its diverse and skilled Board expanding the area of sports governance, Athletics Australia President, Mark Arbib stated “we are delighted to welcome someone of such an outstanding calibre to our Board.

“Kate has held multiple senior leadership roles in Australian sport. In each role Kate has been an instigator of positive change.

“Athletics Australia is an organisation focussed on growth in high performance, participation and commercial and we know Kate’s expertise in these areas will give Athletics Australia the boost it needs to get to the next level.”

A highly credentialed sport administrator, Palmer (pictured) became the first woman to head Sport Australia when she became Chief Executive in January 2017.

She was Chief Executive of Netball Australia from 2007 to 2017.

During her three-year tenure at Sport Australia, Palmer led the rebranding of the organisation, governance reform among national sports organisations and put in place safeguards to protect children in sporting environments.

Over her 10 years at Netball Australia, Palmer maintained the game’s status as the highest participation sport for women and oversaw the introduction on its national league, Super Netball.

Palmer said she was honoured to accept the role and is looking forward to contributing to shaping the future of Athletics in Australia, commenting “it’s a wonderful opportunity to be on the Athletics Australia Board. The Athletics community is one that has always inspired me.

“Being a director is a really important role, and for me I’m really delighted that Athletics Australia is so ambitious about its future. It has a highly capable Board and Executive Management Team and I’m looking forward to adding value and contributing to this sport and playing a role in achieving the organisation’s strategic objectives.”

11th November 2020 - Little Athletics among COVIDSafe sport and recreation activities returning to Geelong

9th November 2020 - Sir John Walker named Patron of Athletics NZ

19th October 2020 - Coles signs new partnership with Athletics peak bodies to support grassroots participation

7th July 2020 - World Athletics looks to broaden mass participation reach

29th February 2020 - Former Sport Australia Chief Executive ‘surprised’ to see colour-coded grants spreadsheet

21st February 2020 - Kate Palmer agrees to give evidence to sports grants inquiry

4th February 2020 - Kate Palmer departs Chief Executive role at Sport Australia

16th January 2020 - Audit Office sports grants report cites ‘conflict of interest’ at Sport Australia

11th December 2019 - Kate Palmer apologises for ‘unauthorised access’ following Sport Australia email hack

28th October 2019 - Kate Palmer to step down from Sport Australia Chief Executive role

4th October 2019 - Athletics Australia and Little Athletics agree to unite

10th June 2019 - Sport Australia Chief Executive recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours

30th April 2019 - Latest Ausplay survey shows gradual increase in physical activity

13th April 2019 - Sport Australia Chief Executive backs Fitness Australia’s new physically activity goals

30th November 2017 - Athletics Australia claim up to three million recreational joggers are ‘participating in athletics’

27th November 2015 - Athletics Australia names Mark Arbib as its new President

8th May 2015 - New Athletics Australia chief executive aims to address ‘credibility problem’

15th March 2014 - Athletics Australia and Little Athletics establish joint management group

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.