James Demetriou named Member of the Order of Australia for his contribution to sportstech sector

James Demetriou, the founding chair of the Australian Sports Technologies Network (ASTN) has been named a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours, for his service to sport, to education, and to business.

Spanning 40 years, Demetriou has played a major role in Australian sport and is a respected leader in sports business, sports governance and sports technology. As the co-founder of ASTN, Demetriou has contributed significantly to the development of Australia being recognised as one of the top six sportstech clusters globally over the past decade.

ASTN was established in 2012, when the sportstech sector had a total revenue of $250 million per annum, employing around 2,500 people. According to ASTN’s 2025 Sports Innovation Report, the sector now generates $5.65 billion per annum, now employing 17,928 people.

Demetriou has actively mentored more than 150 startups through ASTN programs, offering strategic guidance and support to founders in the ASTN network. Dr Martin Schlegel, Chair of ASTN says that Demetriou’s love of sport, and his belief in the talent of Australia’s young businesses to thrive on the global stage, have been the driving force behind building a thriving sportstech ecosystem.  

Dr Martin Schlegel, Chair, ASTN notes “James’ vision back in 2012, has been instrumental in ASTN’s success, helping to drive the growth of the sector and shaping the sportstech ecosystem that we celebrate today. Based on James' pioneering efforts and the programs he helped to build, ASTN provides fast-tracked pathways for the next generation of Australian sports technology companies.

Craig Hill, ASTN co-founder adds “we congratulate James for this prestigious achievement and thank him for his commitment to the sportstech sector. James has invested a phenomenal amount of time and effort over a 10-year period as Honorary Executive Chair and had the strategic foresight to drive development of Australia’s emerging sportstech sector.”

Demetriou shared “I’m very honoured and humbled to be recognised with so many distinguished Australians. I owe so much to my immediate family, my brothers and our parents for their encouragement and inspiration. Sport has been a cornerstone with Pascoe Vale Football Club, the Essendon Football Club and of course ASTN, especially Craig Hill and Martin Schlegel.”

Demetriou continues to serve as an advisor to the ASTN’s Australian Sports Innovation Centre of Excellence (ASICE) Advisory Council.