Hockey Australia has announced important updates to its Board of Directors following the recent annual Council Meeting in Canberra on November 24, 2023.
During the meeting, President Ross Sudano was re-elected to the Board without opposition from any of the State/Territory Member Associations. However, there were significant changes as long-time Board members Sandra Sully and Mary Konstantopoulos retired from their positions after years of dedicated service.
Sandra Sully, who served on the Board for a decade, was praised for her exceptional commitment and unwavering passion for the sport of hockey. She played a vital role in key strategic and governance decisions that significantly contributed to the progress and improvement of the sport in Australia. Notably, she led the Board through the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and was instrumental in the cultural reviews of the women’s high performance program in 2016 and 2021. In addition, Sandra’s leadership of the People and Culture Committee and her efforts in securing philanthropic support were essential in advancing the sport. Despite stepping down from the Board, Sandra will continue her involvement with hockey as a current director of the Hockey One League.
Mary Konstantopoulos, who served as a HA Board Director for four years, was recognized for her contributions to the review of the Women’s High Performance Program and her role as chair of the Implementation Working Group for the resulting recommendations in 2021. She also played a key function in the selection process for the Hockey Australia High Performance Centre of Excellence, which secured a $135 million investment into a new facility in Perth.
Hockey Australia expressed its sincerest gratitude to Sandra and Mary for their outstanding dedication and service to the HA Board and the sport of hockey in Australia during their respective tenures.
The annual Council Meeting, which comprises the HA Board along with State and Territory Member Association Presidents and Chief Executives, provides a platform for important discussions and decision-making for the sport.
As of now, the Hockey Australia Board consists of Ross Sudano as President, Pat Hall as Vice President, and Directors Brent Clark, Max Diamond, Colin Murphy, Sally Carbon, Craig Roberts and Joanne Scanlon. The organization anticipates further updates and additions to the HA Board in the near future.
These changes in leadership mark an important transition for Hockey Australia as the organization continues to evolve and grow. The dedication and commitment of both departing and continuing Board members reflect the ongoing commitment to advancing the sport of hockey in Australia.