Leanne Evans named as AWRA's Executive Officer

The Australian Womensport and Recreation Association (AWRA) has appointed Leanne Evans, a sport management leader and Commonwealth Games silver medallist, as its inaugural Executive Officer.

Selected from a wide range of enthusiastic and talented applicants, Evans is highly qualified for the role, with extensive leadership and management experience in government and non-profit organisations, including previous roles as Deputy Director General of the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation and Chief Executive of the Australian Sports Foundation.

Announcing the appointment, AWRA President Janise Crosswhite stated "Leanne's appointment heralds a new chapter for AWRA.

"It will allow AWRA to expand our vision of building a stronger and healthier Australian culture through the active participation of women and girls in sport, physical activity and active recreation. She will increase AWRA's funding and lift our profile thanks to her strong background as an elite athlete, leader in sport and philanthropy experience in Australia and overseas."

Evans has been leading and building non-profit organisations for more than 12 years and has worked internationally with Canadian and Vancouver health agencies and the YWCA of Vancouver, building programs to improve the health and wellbeing of women and girls.

Evans has a degree in Human Movement Studies and an MBA, both from the University of Queensland and previously worked as the Executive Director Touch Football Australia and Gymnastics Queensland.

Evans understands first-hand the issues facing women participating or striving to engage in all aspects of sport and recreation.

In 1982 she teamed with Olympic champion-in-waiting Debbie Flintoff-King and sprint legends Raelene Boyle and Denise Boyd to win silver in the 4x400 metre relay.

She is also a former coach of an Olympian, Director of Athletics Australia and an active tennis player.

Welcoming her appointment, Evans stated "there is so much to be done to increase women's participation in work, sport and society across Australia.

"Together with the AWRA's committed board I want to increase the number of, and support for, women in leadership roles, increase media coverage across multiple platforms of women's achievements, and help lower the barriers facing women and girls from all backgrounds who are striving to achieve their goals.

"I am also excited about the opportunities to build a bigger legacy for Australian women's sport and I am committed to implementing AWRA's 'Charter for Active Australian Women' to achieve gender equality."

Evans starts immediately, based on the Gold Coast, where she will work closely with the leading local, state and federal sport, women's and health organisations across the country.

Evan's position has been supported by the Federal Government's Office of Sport.

For more information go to www.australianwomensport.com.au

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