About Us

MEET THE TEAM

The Strategic Development and growth of the Central Coast Academy of Sport is overseen by committed staff and a highly qualified Board of Directors – all of whom are extremely experienced and well qualified across many areas of business and sport.

Directors

Mark Holton

Chair

As the Founding Chair of the Central Coast Academy of Sport, Mark is also a Director of a number of other high profile community organisations including Ronald McDonald House Westmead, where he has been the Treasurer for some twenty five years.

As the Founding Chair of the Central Coast Academy of Sport, Mark is also a Director of a number of other high profile community organisations including Ronald McDonald House Westmead, where he has been the Treasurer for some twenty five years.

Mark is a former high level rugby league referee and can be described as a career Director in the NFP sector,. Mark is a Director of Central Coast Basketball, The Entertainment Grounds and remains extremely active with Ronald McDonald House Australia. Mark is a Director of ‘Smiththink’, an organisation that specialises in MYOB training and accounting principles. His consultancies in accounting practices take him literally around the world, he is an extremely sought after conference speaker and provides many many clients access to his world class insights to accounting practice’s.

karen turner

Deputy Chair

In various operational roles, Karen has developed strong organisational and project management skills which brings valued support and solutions to executives and boards.

Karen has four decades in accounting, business and corporate advisory, assurance and risk management across private and NFP sector businesses.

Karen has a deep commitment and passion for youth sports administration resulting in her maintaining a trusted network across the community. Her experience as an executive and board director sees her corporate, governance and strategic knowledge as a highly respected contribution in this sector.

Karen is the current Chair of Hunter Academy of Sport (Deputy Chair of Regional Academies of Sport Limited) and  Treasurer of Regional Academies of Sport NSW Inc

Ian Robilliard - OAM

Director

Ian founded the Central Coast Academy of Sport after a successful professional basketball career followed by a number of high level positions of employment with the PGA of Australia and Sydney Kings (NBL Basketball)

Ian is a past Head Coach and CEO of The Sydney Kings. Ian is a current Director of the Regional Academies of Sport Inc (RASi) and former Chair of the organisation, Deputy Chair of Sport Central Coast, Deputy Chair of Mingara Leisure Group (MLG) and remains heavily involved in sport through his vocational positions and many hours of voluntary coaching and administration support.  As a career sport administrator Ian has extensive experience in an industry he has been professionally involved for 30+ years.

Meg Granger

Director

Meg is highly qualified having achieved a double degree through a Bachelor of Business, majoring in Marketing, and a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting attained in 2015.  Meg has combined her technical knowledge in marketing and accounting with a Diploma of Financial Planning and Financial Services, her extensive financial management qualifications provide a very sound platform with her employment at Dynamic Taxation and Training Services

Meg has volunteered many hours to the sports industry through her active involvement with the Terrigal Wamberal Sharks and the Donnica Clarke Foundation.  Her Directorship in financial operations will be beneficial to the good standing of the organisation.

Carolyn Kay

Director

Carolyn is highly qualified and experienced in marketing having started her career with Proctor Gamble before establishing her own marketing agency and becoming involved in The Business Referral Group supporting a wide range of businesses.

The knowledge and experience that Carolyn offers the Central Coast Academy of Sport is invaluable and ensures the Academy continues to enjoy a strong corporate position within the market. Carolyn is also a current Director of Bendigo Bank East Gosford.

Sarah Ferman

Director

Sarah is highly respected in the business community on the Central Coast due to her active involvement with many community groups and businesses. Her involvement as Chair of the Salvation Army Central Coast Red Shield Appeal, past employment with Southern Cross Austereo as Marketing Director and currently as the Sport & Community Manager at Mingara Recreation Club positions her very well as a valued Director of the CCAS.

The knowledge and experience that Sarah brings to the CCAS will ensure further community engagement is maintained. Sarah’s Directorship in the events space will ensure all CCAS events continue to deliver significant benefits for all concerned.

matthew waring

Director

Matt is an Accredited Employment Law and Industrial Relations Specialist with the NSW Law Society and operates his own legal practice, Waring & Co. Pty Ltd, specialising in employment and servicing clients in commercial advice and litigation.

Matt regularly deals with large clients in agriculture, building and construction, manufacturing and maritime industries. He has previously spent time with the NSW Farmers Association as its Special Counsel and Acting CEO, and was also engaged by Hort Innovation as their Company Secretary. He is a Ministerial Appointment to the Board of Greyhound Racing NSW & also serves of the Board of Regional Academies of Sport.  

 

 

daryl clout

Director

Daryl is currently on the board a as director of the Commonweath Games Australia, and most recently was appointed as the Oceania Regional Director for World Bowls. 

Clout is currently the President of Bowls Australia, a position he has held since 2017, after being appointed to the Bowls Australia Board in 2012, and has had a long and distinguished career in sports management both in a professional and voluntary capacity.

After 25 years of service on the personal staff of NSW Government Ministers, including two Ministers for Sport, Clout was the General Manager of NSW Sport and Recreation for six years.

A President of two National Sporting Associations, formerly Softball Australia and now Bowls Australia, Clout also held the position of Vice President of the International Softball Federation.

Clout was also elected to the Board of Commonwealth Games Australia in 2018 and is Chair of the Heritage and Awards Committee.

Kari Armitage

Director

Kari’s career began at engineering firm Parson Brinckerhoff where she designed and Project Managed a range of infrastructure projects.

In 2006, Kari was asked by her father to take over the running of his well respected, but relatively small, drilling equipment supply company – Quarry Mining.

Under Kari’s leadership as the sole director of Quarry Mining, the company has become a leading Australian manufacturer, employing more than 100 tradesmen, technical representatives and engineers with operations and support staff across factories, workshops and offices in Newcastle, Sydney, Mackay and China.

Kari is passionate about Australian manufacturing, new technologies, apprenticeships and keeping our jobs local, ensuring the future of Australia’s manufacturing industry.

Kari also has a keen interest in giving triathlon a go, making long distance triathlon training her escape from busy daily life.

Mark Ingrey

Director

Mark Ingrey is the Senior Regional Manager at Golf NSW. He plays a crucial role in supporting golf clubs and districts across New South Wales. 

A PGA Member since 2000, Mark’s passion for golf fuels his journey. With extensive roles in Australia and abroad, Mark’s coaching expertise has enriched golfing communities from Dubai to the Newcastle/Hunter Region. Notable courses like The Vintage, Pacific Dunes, and Kooindah Waters have benefited from his guidance.

As Senior Regional Manager, Mark drives Junior Development and Participation Programs in partnership with Jack Newton Junior Golf (JNJG). His dedication ensures success for all involved.

Mark’s mission is clear: to make a lasting impact on athletes and communities alike.

CCAS STAFF

Brett O’Farrell

Group Chief Executive

Ian Robilliard OAM

Group Commercial Director

Bianca Smith

Marketing and Communications Manager

Emily Burgess-Moore

Operations and Events Manager

Tara Angell

Events & Programs Administration Officer

Dave Ferguson

Sports Program Manager – Hunter & Central Coast

Sallie Partridge

Sports Programs Manager – Hunter