Commonwealth Games Australia Board welcomes new board members Kate Corkery and Luke Casey-Leigh

Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) has advised that Kate Corkery and Luke Casey-Leigh will join their Board of Directors after an extensive recruitment process.  

Corkery fills the casual vacancy left by Leanne Grantham in July 2024 and will be formally voted upon by members at the 2025 Annual General Meeting in May. If successful, she will serve a two-year term until May 2027.  

Bringing a wealth of experience in governance, law, and organisational development, Corkery currently serves as President of the Oceania Judo Union and Vice President of the International Judo Federation, overseeing governance and strategic initiatives across 200 national federations.   

As the first female Chair of Judo Australia, she led a significant organisational transformation, strengthening the federation’s performance and reputation both nationally and internationally.  

Corkery is also an Independent Director at the Combat Institute of Australia, with previous board roles spanning the fitness, basketball, and non-profit sectors. A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, she brings a strong focus on innovation, collaboration, and strategic planning.  

Corkery advised “I am looking forward to safeguarding CGA’s positive legacy and enhancing its vision, influencing future generations to connect, contribute and continue our cherished traditions of excellence and unity through sport.”  

Casey-Leigh joins the Board in an appointed position until December 2026, bringing over 15 years of experience in sports strategy, governance, and commercial growth.  

His expertise working with global sporting executives provides a strong foundation to support governance improvements, strengthen grassroots and athlete pathways, and drive the sustainable growth of sport in Australia.  

As an Operating Partner at Sportsology Group, Casey-Leigh collaborates with major leagues and governing bodies to enhance governance structures and community engagement. His previous roles at Deloitte and EY-Parthenon focused on long-term strategic projects in sports business, while his leadership at Phoenix Management supported over 600 athletes on their pathways to elite performance.   

A former player at the Collingwood Football Club, he offers firsthand insight into the demands of elite sport and talent development.  

Casey-Leigh added “the opportunity to uphold our tradition of international excellence, while also aiming to inspire and unite our organisations, athletes, coaches and communities, is highly motivating.”

CGA President, Ben Houston welcomed both Corkery and Casey-Leigh to the Board for the first time.  

Houston shared “on behalf of the Board, it’s a pleasure to welcome both Luke and Kate into their roles.

“We look forward to their contributions as we move toward delivering an Australian Team to Glasgow 2026 and the wider success of Commonwealth Sport generally.”  

Duncan Free OAM has also advised CGA of his resignation from the Board following his appointment to the position of General Manager, High Performance at Rowing Australia.  

Free’s departure from the CGA Board creates a casual vacancy. The CGA Board will consider its approach to filling the vacancy at its forthcoming meeting on Friday 7 March 2025.  

The CGA Board is now comprised of President, Ben Houston, Vice President, Grant Harrison, and Directors Luke Casey-Leigh, Kate Corkery, Marlene Elliott, Jayne Ferguson, David Mandel, and Steve Moneghetti AM.

Image: Kate Corkery and Luke Casey-Leigh. Credit: Commonwealth Games Australia.