The Athletics Victoria (AV) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Strategy Working Group has been established to aid and inform the development of the AV Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategy, and upon completion of the Strategy, support the AV Metro Development Leader in its execution.
We are excited to spotlight a group of passionate and accomplished individuals who are making significant contributions to athletics, community development, and inclusivity across various platforms.
Liv Reburn (They/Them) – Liv is a dedicated member of the Richmond Harriers Athletics Club in Melbourne. Professionally, they work in youth mental health and advocate for disability rights, serving as an accessibility advisor in their workplace. Outside of work, Liv enjoys trail running, adventure cycling, reading historical non-fiction, solving crosswords, and playing soccer.
Dominic Condello – Dominic is a recently appointed Specialist Member of VCAT and the Director of Moonee Ponds Plumbing. He is an active Board Member of the Victorian Athletic League and Athletics Essendon. Dominic organises and coordinates the Essendon Gift and co-hosts the podcast “Walk to Your Blocks.” He is an athletics enthusiast, father of two teenagers, and a lover of lollies.
Michaela Cook (She/Her) – Michaela is a seasoned sports administrator with over eight years of experience advocating for and delivering inclusive sporting opportunities. As the Participation and Inclusion Manager at Vicsport, Michaela leads the Child Safe Sport portfolio and drives projects related to diversity, equity and inclusion in sport. Before joining Vicsport, she served as the Inclusion and Diversity Manager at Hockey Victoria, where she led efforts in club development and youth engagement.
Maz Strong (They/Them) – Maria (Maz) Strong has transitioned from an athletics official to a world-class athlete, driven by a quest for fitness and camaraderie. As an AIS Thrive with Pride Ambassador, Maz promotes disability inclusion in sports through their work with Sport4All. Maz is also one of the run directors at Kirkdale Reserve parkrun, a chocolate lover, and a choir singer.
Darren Anderson (He/Him) – Darren is a sport developer with over 20 years of experience in driving participation growth across multiple sports, including triathlon, basketball, netball, lawn bowls, and table tennis. He currently leads Forward Pivot, a consultancy that supports sports organizations globally in providing positive experiences and achieving social impact through sport.
Tony Stubbs (He/ Him) – Tony is a relationship-driven senior manager with over 20 years of experience in financial services, government, and higher education, where he has championed diversity and inclusion. He has led significant initiatives, including a Leadership & Cultural program for leaders at NAB with KPMG. Tony also holds leadership roles in local sports clubs, achieving a 95% increase in female membership and demonstrating his commitment to impactful DE&I strategies.
Prayansh Desai (He/Him) – Prayansh, the newest member of the Athletics Victoria team, manages the sport development portfolio, aiming to enhance participation and membership engagement across metropolitan Melbourne. He believes in the unifying power of sports and advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion, emphasizing that representation is key to achieving these goals.
Clare Burton (She/Her) – Clare has 20 years of experience in sports administration, covering State and National roles in Athletics and Swimming. For the past four years, she has focused on Sport Development, including governance and equitable clubs. In 2020, she led the creation of Swimming Victoria’s DEI Advisory committee and co-wrote their DEI Strategy 2023-2026.
These individuals embody the spirit of inclusivity, passion, and dedication in their respective fields, making them true champions both on and off the field.