BOARD
Passionate about our sporting community
Our board is a team of dedicated volunteers who offer their time to champion grass roots sport on the Sunshine Coast to enable athletes to achieve their goals by securing funding, partnerships and other opportunities for Sunshine Coast sport.
Michelle Jaggard-Lai
Chair
Drawing from her firsthand experience as a Wimbledon and Australian Open Tennis champion and former professional athlete, Michelle's career spans five decades in diverse sports arenas.
Her grassroots efforts have developed youth in sports, created coaching pathways, and organised school competitions. Managing teams and owning sports businesses in large community venues, Michelle has significantly engaged the wider community.
After retiring from professional sports, Michelle became an awarded coach, teaching athletes from ages 2 to 80 for over 30 years. Her coaching has produced world-class athletes, including ATP number one players and national title winners. On the business front, Michelle has managed sporting venues for over 19 years, successfully implementing long-term plans with school leaders, councils, head leaseholders, crown lands, and community members.
Currently, Michelle focuses on creating mentor programs and expanding sports globally. She is part of Tennis Australia's Women's Leaders in Tennis and Coach Connect groups, has received two scholarships for women in sports, and mentors athletes through Jaggard Sports. She also supports the community with guest speaking, educational content, and advocating for the benefits of an athletic mindset”.
As chair of Sunshine Coast Sports, Michelle brings her "winning is an attitude" to her daily life and work and is determined to help grow sport on Sunshine Coast which she believes is a chosen destination to live your best life on a daily basis and her preferred place to live. Her enthusiasm to be part of new initiatives for sport, work alongside a highly skilled board committed to a long term vision and her love of sport, business and education will be transferred into her new role as chairperson.
Kaitlyn Akers
Board Member
With 20+ years leadership experience, QFES MRIT Executive Manager, former GM Operations SLSQ, is driven to work that helps organisations align their operations with strategic goals by leading change, promoting sustainable innovation.
Kaitlyn is an advocate for positive impacts volunteers contribute to local economies and community, AICD member, Fellow of Institute of Management and brings her deep knowledge of governance for NFPs to support sustainable grass roots sport for the Sunshine Coast community.
Steve Hirst
Board Member
Energetic, self-motivated leader who drives strong culture and high performance to attract the best talent available to achieve the goals of the team and the business. Thirty years’ experience in Managing media companies in across Australia including, Regional Television, Metro and Regional Radio, Regional Print and Digital.
Tania Stevenson
Board Member
BBSc La Trobe., GradDipEd Qld.UT, GradCertHPSLead ACU
Tania has 25 years’ experience managing public and private sector programs, predominantly in the higher education sector. Currently she manages the high performance student athlete program at the University of the Sunshine Coast, supporting developing and elite athletes to reach their potential in both sport and education. She has extensive experience as a volunteer manager and committee member across the sports of athletics, netball, AFK and basketball.
Charlie Hemming
Board Member
Charlie has over 25 years’ experience in senior marketing and product management roles in various Business to Business, Business to Consumer and Community-based Sporting organisations.
His collaborative leadership style and strategic focus provides a depth of knowledge and perspective that will help evolve the contribution that Sunshine Coast Sports provides our local communities. Charlie’s personal commitment to achieving quality outcomes and a passion for delivering value is complemented by a Master of Business in Marketing, Graduate Certificate in Finance and an under-graduate Sports Management degree.
Angela Coombes
Board Member
A technology leader with a passion for community sports, Angela offers a unique perspective on community sports growth and operational excellence.
Her focus on community outreach and inclusive programs will enhance the organisation’s ability to build strong partnerships with local sports clubs and expand its impact for athletes across the Sunshine Coast. Angela has been a volunteer for various sports programs as a player, manager, Coach, mentor, committee member and spokesperson for community sports clubs in Australia and Samoa covering Rugby Union, Surf Life Saving, Kitesurfing and Wakeboarding.
Julie Miller Sensini
Board Member
Julie is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, with over thirty years of commercial retail experience gained in executive roles with blue chip companies both in Australia and in the United Kingdom. She has widely developed commercial acumen with proven business building skills and the ability to develop and apply successful strategic plans. When Julie and her family moved to the Sunshine Coast, it was grass roots sport that helped them to feel involved and integrated, therefore she is highly motivated to support and give back to such a vibrant and important part of the Sunshine Coast community.