What can David do?
Give a quick overview of your work experience (jobs, internships, volunteering)?
Australian Director – National Skeet Shooting Association (USA), providing strategic leadership for coach development, athlete pathways, competition delivery, and stakeholder engagement across Australia.
National Junior Development Camp Coach and Victorian South-Eastern Zone Coaching Coordinator, delivering athlete and coach development programs from grassroots through to high-performance levels.
Australian Team Captain and Manager, leading athlete preparation, team logistics, performance planning, and international representation at World Championships and major competitions.
Victorian Team Manager and Event Coordinator, overseeing national championship campaigns, school sporting events, competition operations, volunteer coordination, and participant engagement.
Committee and Governance Leader, contributing to strategic planning, sport development initiatives, integrity, governance, and operational management within state and national sporting organisations.
20+ years of experience developing athletes, mentoring coaches, managing sporting programs, and fostering high-performance environments that support participation, leadership, and competitive success.
Do you have a track record of delivering measurable outcomes or KPIs?
Australian Director – National Skeet Shooting Association (USA), leading coach development, athlete pathways, competition programs, and strategic growth initiatives across Australia.
Former Australian Team Captain and Manager, responsible for athlete leadership, team culture, international competition preparation, logistics, and performance support at World Championships and major international events.
20+ years of experience developing athletes, mentoring coaches, managing teams, and delivering sporting programs across grassroots, pathway, and high-performance environments.
13-time Australian Team Representative, selected to represent Australia at World Championships and international competitions.
16-time Australian National Champion, demonstrating sustained excellence and high-performance achievement over an extended competitive career.
National Junior Development Camp Coach and Victorian South-Eastern Zone Coaching Coordinator, delivering athlete and coach development programs that support participation and performance outcomes.
Led and coordinated national and state-level championships, development camps, and sporting events involving athletes, coaches, volunteers, and key stakeholders.
Graduated with Distinction from Deakin University and awarded Basketball Victoria's Top Sport Development Graduand in recognition of outstanding academic and practical achievement.
What technical or industry-specific skills do you bring?
High-Performance Sport Systems & Athlete Pathway Development
Coach Education, Mentoring & Workforce Development
Strategic Planning and Program Delivery
Competition & Event Management
Team Leadership, Management & Performance Support
Athlete Talent Identification and Development
Sport Governance, Integrity & Safeguarding
Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management
Volunteer Recruitment, Leadership & Retention
Policy Development and Implementation
National Team Operations and International Competition Management
Community Participation and Grassroots Sport Development
Performance Monitoring, Evaluation and KPI Reporting
Committee Leadership and Organisational Governance
Learning Program Design and Facilitator Delivery (Face-to-Face, Digital and Blended Learning)
Risk Management, Compliance and Operational Planning
Budget Oversight and Resource Coordination
Microsoft Office Suite, Data Management and Reporting Systems
What tools/platforms/software are they proficient in?
Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Microsoft Teams and Zoom
Database Management and Competition Results Systems
Learning Management Systems and Digital Learning Platforms
Membership, Registration and Sporting Administration Systems
What qualifications, certifications, or degrees do you hold?
Bachelor of Sport Development (Coaching Major), Deakin University – Graduated with Distinction
Basketball Victoria Award – Top Sport Development Graduand (2020)
Shooting Australia / AIS Level 2 Competition Coach Accreditation
Shooting Australia / AIS Level 1 Club Coach Accreditation
Sport Integrity Australia Certifications – Clean Sport, Anti-Doping & Match Fixing
Play by the Rules Certifications – Child Protection & Ethics in Sport
Australian Sports Commission – Coaching Principles & Introductory Officiating
Current Working with Children Check (WWCC) and National Police Check
First Aid Certification
I honestly believe I have got a rare combo of elite athlete credibility, coach and pathway development experience , and enough real-world, hands-on experience to know when theory meets chaos.
I'm not exactly a “safe bet with no upside” candidate; I'm more like the one that looks steady on paper, then quietly turns out to have elite performance DNA, international experience, and the ability to build systems that actually work in the real world (not just PowerPoint land).
I honestly believe I have got a rare combo of elite athlete credibility (understand performance under pressure), coach and pathway development experience (know how to build others up), and enough real-world, hands-on experience to know when theory meets chaos.
In other words, I'm not asking someone to “take a chance” on me; I'm asking them to recognise that I have already been operating in high-pressure environments where results, people, and standards actually matter. And if it still feels like a gamble to an employer… it’s probably only because they haven’t realised yet that I have already been doing the job, just without the upgraded title and office chair.
What steps has David taken to break into the sports industry?
I have taken a proactive approach to building my career in sport by combining formal education, professional development, practical leadership experience, and networking. Alongside completing a Bachelor of Sport Development, I have pursued coaching accreditations, governance and integrity training, and leadership roles that allowed me to gain hands-on experience in athlete development, program management, and sport administration. I have also used LinkedIn and my involvement in national and international sporting networks to build relationships, learn from industry leaders, stay informed about emerging trends, and identify opportunities to contribute to and grow within the sport sector.
David's interest in sport all started from participating in sport and his passion for helping other people succeed
I do what I do because I am passionate about helping people achieve their potential.
Throughout my career as an athlete, coach, team leader, and sport administrator, I have seen firsthand the positive impact that great coaching, strong leadership, and supportive sporting environments can have on individuals and communities.
While my own achievements have been rewarding, I find the greatest satisfaction in developing athletes, mentoring coaches, creating opportunities for participation, and helping build sustainable pathways that allow others to succeed. I am motivated by making a lasting contribution to sport and creating environments where people can grow, perform, and enjoy their journey.
Since then, David has gone on to work in high-performance coaching, athlete pathway development, and national sporting administration, achieving things like
Achievement 1 | Achievement 2 | Achievement 3 |
|---|---|---|
Selected as a 13-time Australian Team Representative, competing at World Championships and major international competitions across a sustained international career. | Crowned a 17-time Australian National Champion, delivering sustained competitive excellence over an extended period. | Served as Australian Director for the National Skeet Shooting Association (USA) for eight years, leading national coach development, athlete pathways, and competition delivery strategy across the country. |
Where does David want to go?
Next 6 - 12 months | Next 5 - 10 years |
|---|---|
• Secure a position within a sporting organisation where I can contribute to athlete and coach development, participation growth, and high-performance outcomes. • Expand my involvement in strategic planning, program management, and stakeholder engagement to help strengthen sporting pathways and organisational capability. • Continue developing and implementing coach education and athlete development initiatives that create measurable participation and performance outcomes. • Build on my experience in governance, integrity, and sport operations by contributing to organisational decision-making and long-term sport development strategies. • Leverage my leadership experience as an athlete, coach, team manager, and sport administrator to positively influence culture, performance, and member engagement. • Continue professional development and broaden my expertise in sport management, high-performance systems, and leadership to prepare for senior management opportunities. | Over the next 5–10 years, I aim to establish myself in a senior sport leadership role where I can influence the strategic direction, growth, and long-term success of a sporting organisation. I aspire to lead high-performance, participation, and coach development programs that create sustainable pathways for athletes, coaches, and volunteers. Drawing on my experience as an athlete, coach, team manager, and sport administrator. I want to contribute to building strong sporting cultures, developing future leaders, and delivering positive outcomes for communities and high-performance sport. Ultimately, I want to be recognised as a leader who has helped strengthen the sport sector through effective leadership, innovation, and the development of people. |
What sporting problem keeps David up at night, and how would you solve it?
The problem I am most passionate about solving is improving participation and retention in sport. Too many people leave sport due to cost, time commitments, limited access, wellbeing challenges, or because they don't see a place for themselves outside elite pathways. I believe sport should be accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable for everyone. My goal is to help create environments and pathways that keep people engaged in sport for life, whether their ambition is high performance, personal development, or simply being part of a community.
What is David like?
What kind of environment do you thrive in?
I thrive in high-performance, structured environments where standards are clear and outcomes matter, particularly where you are trusted to lead, build systems, and improve performance pathways.
I'm most effective in roles that combine pressure, responsibility, and autonomy, especially in coach development, athlete pathways, and program design.
At the same time, I tend to perform best when there is balance outside of work through a grounded, practical lifestyle, allowing me to reset and sustain high-level performance over time.
When have you had to show resilience in your life or career?
A significant example of resilience has been balancing elite-level sport, leadership responsibilities, full-time employment, and university study simultaneously. While working full-time, I represented Australia internationally, won multiple national championships, held national team leadership roles, and completed a Bachelor of Sport Development with Distinction. Managing these competing demands required discipline, adaptability, and perseverance. The experience strengthened my ability to remain focused under pressure, overcome setbacks, and continue working towards long-term goals despite challenges.
What about David’s interests outside of work?
What are your interests outside of work?
Outside of professional sport and work, I maintain a strong family-focused and outdoor-oriented lifestyle centered around time with my wife and young daughter. Much of my personal time is grounded in rural living and hands-on farm-based activities, which provide both practical engagement and a sense of routine away from high-performance environments. I also enjoy recreational fishing and time spent in natural settings, which offer space for reflection and balance.
What is your favourite sporting moment?
My favourite sporting moment is watching Michael Bevan calmly finish the game for Australia with a last-ball boundary straight down the ground to secure a dramatic one-wicket victory over the West Indies at the SCG on New Year’s Day 1996, a defining example of composure under pressure and elite finishing in ODI cricket.
What’s your ideal holiday?
My ideal holiday would be a family-focused journey through Europe with my wife and daughter, centered around exploring our ancestry and visiting key heritage sites connected to our family history. It would involve travelling through historic towns and regions, experiencing the places my family comes from, and where possible, meeting or reconnecting with relatives along the way.
Rather than a fast-paced tourist trip, it would be a meaningful and grounded experience, allowing time to walk through villages, visit local landmarks, and engage with the cultural and historical context of each place. The journey would be as much about connection and understanding as it is about travel, providing a deeper appreciation of where our family story originates.
Balanced with this would be quality family time and shared experiences, ensuring the trip remains enjoyable and memorable for my wife and daughter. Overall, it would be a purposeful and enriching holiday that combines family, heritage, and connection across generations.
If you had 30 minutes to pick the brain of anyone, who would it be and why?
A natural extension of my career journey and the breadth of my experience would be the opportunity to sit down with Sir Dave Brailsford for 30 minutes to discuss his approach to building and sustaining high-performance systems. I would value the chance to hear his perspectives on developing winning cultures, identifying marginal gains within complex sport environments, and translating performance principles across different teams and sporting contexts. It would be an opportunity to gain insight from someone who has consistently operated at the highest level of elite sport system design and leadership.
What’s one book or podcast that’s helped your career you recommend?
Legacy by James Kerr. It breaks down the culture, leadership principles, and performance standards behind the All Blacks and translates them into practical lessons around accountability, humility, continuous improvement, and high-performance environments.
High Performance Podcast by Jake Humphrey & Damian Hughes. It consistently explores elite sport leadership, coaching environments, and the psychology behind sustained success, with insights from coaches, athletes, and performance leaders.
Additional details
Where in the world are you located, and where are you open to work?
I am located in Tooradin, in the South Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne
What is the most important consideration for you in your next role?
Most definitely to be with an organisation that trusts me to lead and value athlete/coach development, allows me to influence strategy, and is committed to building stronger sporting pathways and high-performance environments.
These factors are generally more important to me than salary alone, because they align with the themes that have consistently driven my sporting and professional career.
What others say about David
“I found David as both professional and diligent in his approach. David thrived in any role or opportunity presented to him and quickly established himself as a leader.” - Glenn Nelson, Airport Security Manager (Canberra), who managed David directly
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