Athletics Victoria Committee & Strategy

1. We Run Great Events

2. We Are Everywhere

3. We Are Business-Confident

The 2023-26 Strategic Plan sets the direction for Athletics Victoria for the next four years, with a focus on achieving growth in participation, product innovation, securing long-term revenue and digital transformation. The ambitious yet pragmatic Plan centers on 12 unique projects, with three primary tasks assigned to each project over the initial two years (2023-24).

View our strategic plan

AV Committee

President – Rob Wendel (Diamond Valley)

Rob Wendel is an experienced and accomplished Senior Executive and Director with more than 30 years’ experience in business development across several prominent global companies. Rob has extensive IT industry experience with a flair for building positive relationships with customers and business partners across all levels of management.

Rob is an energetic and positive professional with a passion for meeting targets and being part of a team. Rob is the former President of Diamond Valley Athletics Club, a role he served in for more than 10 years, leading the club’s growth in participation and performance, as well as enhancing the club’s financial stability.

Vice President – Clare Burton (Western Athletics)

Clare Burton is a proud lifelong participant and member of the Victorian Athletics community.

Clare is a founding member of Western Athletics, and has volunteered at both club and state level offering both lived and professional insights to the challenges and opportunities that exist for our sport.

In her professional life, Clare is an experienced sports administrator. She is currently the Sport Development Manager at Swimming Victoria, a leadership role with significant relevance to her work with AV.

In her role with SV, Clare works directly with clubs and committees on capability and capacity to develop the sport within their communities, including providing equitable environments for everyone to participate. Clare brings more than 20 years’ experience working in sport, having previously held positions with Swimming Australia and Athletics Australia.

Vice President – Michael Carney (Coburg Harriers)

Michael Carney is an innovative and energetic Senior Executive with over 20 years’ experience in organisational change, cultural change, business development, innovation and people management.

Michael is a highly engaged Executive recognised for exceptional relationship management skills and creative flair, with a track record of creating innovative solutions to complex issues, improving business outcomes and lifting professional standards across an organisation.

Michael has extensive experience in sport, having worked within the tennis sector for 20 years, as well as the AFL and the racing industry respectively. Michael has been a lifelong athlete, mostly running with the VAL, and is the former President of the Coburg Harriers.

Treasurer – Samantha Kinmond (Brunswick AC)

Samantha Kinmond is an experienced finance professional with over 20 years’ experience across not-for-profit and ASX-listed organisations.

Currently Head of Finance at Rule Prostate Cancer, Sam has a strong interest in transformational change at a strategic and operational level, using her experience to guide and influence decision making while working towards tackling inequality and social injustice.

Sam is a qualified Chartered Accountant and holds a Masters in Commercial Law and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.

Delegate – Ian Rickard (Brunswick AC)

Ian Rickard is a stalwart of Athletics Victoria, having been a member of AV since 1968.

Ian is a Life Member of Athletics Victoria, and his accolades include the AV Merit Award, a 50-Year Service Award, and a 40-Year Official Award.

Among his various experiences and responsibilities, Ian served as Victorian Team Manager at National Under 20s and Open Championships from 2000-2003, has been a member of the Summer Committee at various times from 1987 to today, and has also been his club’s official representative since 1975.

Ian remains a regular attendee at summer competitions where he still competes.

Delegate – Sophie Ootes (Eureka)

Sophie is a rural generalist registrar doctor with a passion for sports and wilderness medicine. She enjoys being involved in, and advocating for her communities, and joined the AV committee to provide a voice for regional and rural members.

Sophie also sits on the AusCycling medical advisory committee, and is a founding member and previous Vice President of the Australasian Wilderness & Expedition Medicine Society.

Sophie has a diverse background, holding a Bachelor of Arts (International Politics / French Language) and has studied across Australia, UK, the Netherlands, France, and volunteered in the Philippines and Nepal. She is an avid sportswoman, having represented Australia for cycling and age-group triathlon, and she continues her passion as a keen runner, and sports event doctor.

Delegate – Andrew Boudrie (Athletics Essendon)

Andrew Boudrie has over 20 years’ experience as a member of Athletics Victoria in the roles of athlete, coach and administrator respectively.

Andrew’s career experience includes management of clients, staff and business development operations through Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, as well as experience in local government.

Formerly President of one of AV’s largest clubs in Athletics Essendon, Andrew brings a unique understanding of the challenges facing local club administrators, and is particularly interested and skilled in the areas of sport strategy and athlete and coach development.

Delegate – Scott Trickett (Box Hill AC)

Scott Trickett has over 30 years’ experience in the media and communications industry, and is currently the Communications & Media Lead at YMCA Victoria.

Scott was previously the Communications & Marketing Manager at parkrun Australia for seven years, over which time parkrun experienced significant growth – from hosting a handful of events in Australia to over 500 events across the Asia Pacific region.

Scott served on the Committee at Box Hill Athletic Club for several years, where he gained a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities at club level.

With Scott’s intimate knowledge of the recreational running space, Scott is driven to see new athletes incorporated into the broader AV structure, bringing a fresh and innovative approach.

Delegate – Anna Devonish (Geelong Guild)

Anna is a finance professional with over 30 years’ experience in both Australia and the UK across a variety of industries. As a Chartered Accountant, with a Bachelor of Commerce, she has held many senior roles which utilised her diverse skills in relation to continuous business improvement; business acquisitions and integrations; as well as systems development, deployment and implementation.

Now retired, she is a member of the Geelong Guild Athletic Board, Secretary of Geelong Athletics Inc, CoGG Landy Field Redevelopment PWG and the Geelong regional representative on the AVSL committee. Anna also officiates at both local and state level.