Nova Peris among Hockey Australia’s newly elected Board members

Hockey Australia has announced updates to its Board of Directors following the recent AGM held in Melbourne with hockey legend and pioneer of the game, former Hockeyroo Nova Peris among those elected.

Ross Sudano has been re-elected as President by the Board, reaffirming his commitment to leading the organisation through its next phase of growth and development and further reinforcing the organisation’s leadership stability at a pivotal time for the Sport.

Former Hockeyroo (Player #324) and Olympic gold medallist, Sally Carbon OAM, has been appointed Vice President for the first time, four years after joining the Board in 2021.

Sport Australia Hall of Famer, former Hockeyroo (Player #349) and Olympic Gold Medallist, Nova Peris OAM and respected Western Australian businessman Gary McGrath have been elected to the Board by the Members while experienced barrister Danielle Woods (first time) and Craig Roberts (on board since 2021) have been appointed completing a nine-strong Board.

Peris, McGrath, Woods and Roberts bring considerable business and governance acumen, as well as a deep understanding of the sport of hockey and its landscape in Australian sport.

A legend and pioneer of the game, former Hockeyroo Nova Peris contributed to one of the women’s national hockey teams’ finest eras. She became Australia’s first Aboriginal to win Olympic gold in Atlanta in 1996, before becoming a dual-Olympian, representing Australia four years later in athletics during the Sydney 2000 Games.

A proud Indigenous woman and one of the finest Olympians to represent the Northern Territory, Peris is a former Senator, bringing extensive governance and advocacy experience across sport, politics and community, having served on several boards and committees, including the Australian Sports Commission Indigenous Advisory Group and the Australian Olympic Committee’s Indigenous Advisory Committee, while also championing women’s sport, Indigenous empowerment, and regional inclusion.

Peris shared “I am incredibly passionate and deeply committed to the future of Australian hockey. I feel a strong responsibility to contribute to the sport that shaped me.

“It’s been 25 years since the Hockeyroos have stood on the Olympic podium, and I am committed to seeing that drought end, while also advocating for regional growth and Indigenous participation as we have a massive opportunity to continue to grow hockey from the grassroots to the international stage.”

WA General Manager of Commercial Banking for Commonwealth Bank, McGrath is a well-known figure in WA business, governance and hockey. He joins with a wealth of high-level financial understanding behind him, through 30 years of global experience in the banking and financial services sector.

McGrath also brings 20 years of experience as a Board Director, and has already contributed significantly to the sport, serving as President, Vice President and in committees on the Hockey WA Board for seven years from 2018 – 2025.

McGrath shared "It’s a privilege to join the board of Hockey Australia at such a pivotal time for the sport. With Brisbane 2032 on the horizon, I’m excited to contribute to the High Performance vision that will shape our national teams for years to come.

“I look forward to leveraging my background in finance and governance to help ensure the sustained success of the organisation, drive revenue diversification, and support the continued growth of hockey across Australia."

Woods (nee Moutou) joins with over two decades of legal expertise in corporations law and civil litigation, along with a strong foundation in sports law and integrity and is a current member of the National Sports Tribunal.

A former New South Wales state representative and lifelong advocate for hockey, Danielle combines grassroots and elite playing experience with a deep commitment to fair and ethical sport governance.

“I’m joining the Hockey Australia Board at a time when governance, integrity, and member protection are critical to the sport’s continued success. I look forward to combining my legal expertise and hockey knowledge to ensure best practice in all areas, and ensure that hockey in Australia thrives in the increasingly complex sporting environment. It is a privilege to be able to give back to a sport that I am passionate about.”

Craig Roberts will continue to provide considerable input regarding sports strategy, revenue diversification and commercialising assets, bringing over 20 years’ experience in strategy, media, digital, and sports.

Craig has been a Board Director with Hockey Australia for over two and a half years, while also sitting on the People, Culture & Sustainability and Integrity & Governance Committees.

Hockey Australia President Ross Sudano welcomed the appointments of Carbon, Peris, McGrath and Woods and noted “we are delighted to welcome Nova, Gary, and Danielle to our Board. Nova is a legend of our game and brings a powerful voice advocating for the sport, the women’s game, and regional communities, enriching our increasingly diverse Board. Danielle, with her extensive legal expertise and deep connection to hockey, adds valuable perspective that further strengthens our governance. Gary McGrath is a leading figure in WA business, sport, and governance with decades of experience, and we are fortunate that all three will continue to contribute their knowledge, guidance, and wisdom to hockey.

“Sally’s outstanding leadership, deep governance experience and unwavering commitment to hockey make her the perfect fit to support our Board as Vice President and drive the game forward. We look forward to her valuable contributions in this new leadership role.

“I would also like to thank outgoing Hockey Australia Vice President Pat Hall and Board members Max Diamond and Joanne Scanlon for their considerable dedication and contribution to hockey in Australia.”

The Hockey Australia Board Comprises:

• President Ross Sudano

• Vice President Sally Carbon OAM

• Brent Clark

• Colin Murphy

• Craig Roberts

• Danielle Woods

• Gary McGrath

• Helen Galloway

• Nova Peris OAM (pictured top)