Sport NSW Appoints New CEO

MEDIA RELEASE

SPORT NSW APPOINTS NEW CEO

Sport NSW today announced the appointment of Mr Stuart Hodge as the peak industry body’s new Chief Executive Officer.

Mr Hodge, who is currently the CEO at Football NSW will commence in the role in January 2023, following the recent retirement announcement of current Sport NSW CEO Ross Bidencope.

Sport NSW Chair Carolyn Campbell said following a competitive recruitment process, she was delighted with Mr Hodge’s appointment.

“Stuart brings a wealth of experience and drive to the role, and we are so excited to have secured him in this important leadership position, not only for our organisation, but for our members and industry as a whole.

“Building on the strength of our existing work, I’m confident Stuart will be a respected voice for the state’s sporting sector, and I know he will hit the ground running to deliver on our advocacy agenda ahead of the NSW election in March.

“With a high-performing team already in place, Stuart is the right person to lead the organisation through its next phase of growth and impact,” she said.
Mr Hodge joins Sport NSW from Football NSW, where he served as CEO for more than five years. He previously worked in senior media and marketing roles at the International Centre for Sport Security and the Aspire Zone Foundation, both based in Doha. He also previously held roles at the Australian Jockey Club, the Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, Football Federation Australia, the Australian Rugby Union and Melbourne Storm.

Mr Hodge said he was looking forward to commencing the role in the New Year.

"I’m delighted to be appointed as CEO of Sport NSW,” Mr Hodge said.

“The sport and active recreation sector provides enormous benefit, impact and value to participants and communities across NSW, and I’m excited to continue to advocate for the sector and to enhance the capacity of the members of Sport NSW.

“Although my formal commencement in the role won’t begin until January, I look forward to mingling with Sport NSW’s valued members and stakeholders at our Champions of Sport dinner on 28 November,” he said.

Ms Campbell thanked outgoing CEO Ross Bidencope for his contribution to the organisation over the last two years.

“Ross has led Sport NSW with strength and an incredible sense of stability during what has been a very challenging last couple of years,” Ms Campbell said.

“On behalf of the Board, I thank Ross for his leadership, and the strong position he leaves the organisation in as he enters his well-earned retirement,” she said.

To ensure a smooth transition in leadership, Mr Bidencope will remain with Sport NSW until the organisation’s AGM in November.

An interim management plan will be put in place over the summer period, before Mr Hodge commences in the CEO role on 9 January 2023.