April Column: ClubsNSW Chair Sallianne Faulkner

I was thrilled to be in Tamworth a couple of weekends ago for the Your Local Club Academy Games, hosted by the Northern Inland Academy of Sport.

The event showcased some of the state’s most talented emerging athletes across basketball, cycling, golf, hockey, netball, indoor volleyball, softball and triathlon.

ClubsNSW, under the Your Local Club brand, has been the Principal Partner of the Academy Games since its inception in 2005.

Our Association has contributed well over half a million dollars over that time, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of dollars our member clubs have generously donated to Regional Academies across NSW. 

I’ve always believed that sport is crucial for the development of young people and I’m thrilled that the club industry has been such a long-term supporter of the event and the Academies.

We are now in the closing stages of the federal election campaign, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hoping to secure a second term in office and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton looking to return the Coalition to power for the first time since May 2022.

It’s pleasing to see registered clubs playing a crucial role during this period, with both leaders appearing at Workers Blacktown for The Daily Telegraph’s Future Western Sydney event on Friday, 4 April, and Wenty Leagues hosting the first leaders debate which was broadcast live on Sky News on Tuesday, 8 April.

Our Policy and Government team has been busily engaging with both sides of the political divide and ClubsNSW looks forward to working with whomever forms government.

I was honoured to recently attend The Gallipoli Club Art Competition in its 20^th year, where artists are encouraged to commemorate the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli, 110 years ago this year, in their artworks. 

Minister David Harris presented the winner and the exhibition is currently open at The Rocks—I encourage a visit over the next month to see the remarkable talent on show.

On another note, I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage directors to avail themselves of the new Chair Masterclass training course, developed by our Learning & Development team.

This course offers insights into strategic oversight, decision-making and building trust with stakeholders, while addressing challenges collaboratively.

As a fellow director, I know that any opportunity for upskilling is welcome and so I’d encourage you to read more and register your interest by clicking here.

As I sign off, I’d like to give a shout out to the many clubs busily preparing for ANZAC Day commemoration events—thank you for all you do in support of our veteran community. Without clubs, our communities may not have the important opportunity to commemorate the fallen and remember those that gave everything for our great nation during war – Lest We Forget.