SPORT AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCES KIEREN PERKINS AS NEW CEO

Water Polo Australia is pleased with news today that Australian Sports Commission has appointed Kieren Perkins OAM as the new CEO.

The dual Olympic swimming champion was today announced by the Hon Richard Colbeck as the CEO of Australia’s governing sport body.

The Australian Sports Commissions supports and invests in sport, across grassroots and high performance, making Perkins the ideal choice to lead the organisation as he brings firsthand knowledge and experience sports governance combined with strong business experience.

Water Polo Australia CEO Richard McInnes, said he is looking forward to working alongside Perkins at this exciting juncture in Australian Sport.

“As the next decade looks to capitalise on the Brisbane 2032 Olympic & Paralympic Games, Water Polo, Australian sport has a real opportunity to build a solid runway to a home Games that can build a lasting legacy for sport for decades to come,” said McInnes.

“Kieren’s first hand experience as an Olympic athlete as well as his experience serving as Chair of Swimming Australia, will be extremely beneficial. This combined with his impressive business background and work in not-for-profit makes him a great fit for the Australians Sports Commission.

“For Water Polo Australia, we are thrilled that Kieren will join the role with an intimate understanding of aquatic sports both domestically and internationally.

“On behalf of the Water Polo Australia community, we welcome Kieren,” he said.

Mr Perkins said he was excited to be stepping into the role of CEO at the ASC.

“I could not be more thrilled and honoured to be appointed to lead the ASC as Australian sport looks forward to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games,” said Mr Perkins.

“It’s the most amazing opportunity to help shape participation and elite sport for Australia.

"As an athlete and administrator, I have lived the importance of a symbiotic sport system that has strong grass roots participation, underpinned by volunteerism, helping uncover and develop the ambitious talent that will represent our country on the world’s biggest stages.

“My corporate experience gives me the business and relationship skills required to bring together the important stakeholders pivotal in ensuring sport flourishes.

"The decade leading to 2032 is a generational opportunity to build a lasting legacy for all sport, in an environment that allows everyone involved to safely live all of the positive life experiences sport can bring.”

Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck said: “As one of our greatest ever Olympians, Mr Perkins brings first-hand experience of high performance sport as well as an intrinsic understanding of the important role grassroots sport plays in the health and wellbeing of all Australians.”