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The appointment of Annabelle Williams OAM to the Board of the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) will provide further strength and rigour to the organisation’s governance according to the APC’s President Glenn Tasker.

A two-time Paralympian who retired from Para-swimming following the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Williams currently serves as Chair of the APC’s Athlete Commission and holds advisory roles with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), Australian Swimmers’ Association and Australian Sports Foundation.

The Sydney-based lawyer joins Kurt Fearnley AO as Paralympians on the Board, alongside Tasker, Lachlan Harris, John Hartigan, Rosie King, Helen Nott and Jock O’Callaghan.

“From when she co-captained the Australian swim team at her first Paralympic Games in 2008, to 2018 as an accomplished lawyer, advocate, broadcaster and advisor, Annabelle has always shown outstanding leadership qualities within our movement,” Tasker said.

“Her legal expertise, her experience as an athlete and sports administrator, and her limitless passion for driving positive change made Annabelle an obvious choice to join our governance structure.

“This appointment is also another step towards meeting the APC’s objective to become more athlete-centric, and the pledge we have made to our Paralympians to give them a stronger voice in our future direction.

“The challenges facing our organisation and our industry are significant, but the APC has also never been in a more exciting position. We are experiencing huge momentum in the Paralympic movement off the back of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, the sustained success of our athletes and our programs, and the support we continue to receive from government and the community.

“Annabelle has an innate understanding of the challenges ahead of us and is uniquely positioned to help the APC turn those challenges into opportunities.”

Williams was elected Chair of the APC’s Athlete Commission at its inaugural meeting in May 2017 and has installed a strong focus on strategy development, athlete welfare, integrity issues and policy compliance.

“I’m so pleased to be given this opportunity,” Williams said. “At the same time, I understand that it comes with the huge responsibility of helping to ensure the APC remains at the forefront of global Paralympic sport.

“Medal success is only part of our journey as a movement. While we understand that medals are important, the APC knows that other key issues including athlete welfare, governance, integrity and financial sustainability are the pillars on which our growth must be built.

“I have been greatly encouraged by the steps taken by the APC in recent years to reach and motivate all Australians, not just those with a disability, and I’m excited to be joining the Board to help harness the full potential of this wonderful organisation.”

Williams won a bronze medal at her first Paralympic Games in 2008, before winning gold as part of the women’s 4x100m medley 34 Points team at London 2012.

Annabelle Williams OAM – Current Positions
Employment
August 2015 – Present Legal Counsel, Australian Olympic Committee
Current Roles
June 2018 – Present Director, Australian Paralympic Committee Board
November 2017 – Present Member, IAAF Disciplinary Tribunal
May 2017 – Present Chairperson, APC Athlete Commission
May 2015 – Present Member, Australian Sports Foundation – Finance, Audit and Risk Committee
June 2012 – Present Vice President, Australian Swimmers’ Association

By APC Media
Posted: 04/07/2018