Diving Australia Chair leaves role to join Australian Sports Commission Board

Diving Australia Chair of the Board, Elizabeth Jack, is standing down from her role after six years, having accepted a new role on the Australian Sports Commission Board.

While the Diving Australia Board finalises the appointment of a new Director and Chair, current Deputy Chair, Matt Barnard, will fill the interim Chair role.

Jack is an experienced executive and director who represented Australia in diving and went on to coach and lead the sport as Chair from 2022 to 2025.

Jack has also held positions with the Tasmanian Department for Education, Children and Young People, Sport and Recreation Tasmania and the Tasmanian Institute of Sport.

Australian Sports Commission Chair Kate Jenkins advised “the ASC is delighted to welcome Liz Jack and round out our new look Board of Commissioners. Liz brings a unique mix of experience from inside and outside of sport that will complement our existing and diverse group as we continue to drive Australian sport forward.”

Liz Jack, reflected on her time with Diving Australia fondly, excited to expand her contribution to sport more broadly as a member of the Australian Sports Commission board.

Jack shared “I feel both fortunate and honoured to have had the opportunity to be part of the Diving Australia Board, contributing to the growth and sustainability of the sport I love so much.

“In my time on the board, we’ve worked with the diving community to refresh our values and collectively develop a Diving in Australia Strategic Plan as well as a new, strong and focused High Performance Pathway Plan.

“Our finances are sound, we have renewed our focus on participation and continue to improve our governance.  Importantly, the results of our athletes are going from strength to strength, as they ‘Play Well’ and ‘Win Well’.

“While I’m sad to be leaving, I know the sport is in very good hands. We have a board of directors who are passionate, skilled, and committed, a CEO and staff with incredible expertise, a group of highly talented athletes and coaches as well as a community of officials, volunteers, and stakeholders, who daily bring the Diving in Australia Strategy to life.

“I’m grateful to the entire Diving in Australia community for the opportunity I’ve had over the past six years, and I look forward to remaining connected in other ways as we head towards LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032.”

Diving Australia Chief Executive Alex Newton added “whilst we are delighted for Liz on this exciting new opportunity for her to help shape the future of sport in Australia, we are disappointed and sad that we are losing someone with such a passion and commitment to diving. I look forward to working with the Board and new Chair to build on the solid foundations Liz has laid for the organisation to grow and thrive.”

The Diving Australia Board expects to announce the appointment of a new Director and Chair in the coming weeks.

This latest ASC appointment follows the announcement of four new Commissioners last month with Lydia Williams OLY, Andrew Purchas OAM, Dr Chloe Flutter and Selwyn Button recently commencing in their new roles.

The ASC would like to acknowledge and thank outgoing Commissioners Dixie Marshall and Craig Redman for their commitment and contribution to sport since joining the Board in March 2022.

Image. Liz Jack Credit: Diving Australia