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The Paralympics Australia Board has appointed two Vice Presidents to help perform a range of increased duties associated with the execution of the organisation’s Strategic Plan and extensive opportunities around Brisbane 2032.
Alison Creagh AM CSC and Grant Mizens OAM were nominated by the Paralympics Australia (PA) Board to directly assist President Jock O’Callaghan, whose additional obligations include vice presidency of the Brisbane Organising Committee for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The aim is for Creagh and Mizens to assist O’Callaghan and PA’s senior managers with communicating and implementing the organisation’s agenda.
Mizens, an investment professional and three-time Paralympic medallist in wheelchair basketball, said there had been a significant uplift in opportunities to represent PA and the Para-sport community across a range of areas.
“With Brisbane 2032 on the horizon, there are many more discussions and forums for Paralympics Australia to contribute to visionary and strategic thinking within and outside our organisation,” he said.
“It’s clear that Jock carries a great commitment as President. Having additional people to ensure Paralympics Australia has a presence at all those forums is important.”
Mizens said it was crucial to empower more people across PA, including athletes, to “get out there and communicate our plans and strategic vision”.
“I think what we’re attempting to do over the coming years is quite remarkable,” he said. “It’s ambitious and bold and we want to make sure the community and our stakeholders are aware of our plans and achievements.”
Creagh – a national and international Para-rowing classifier, Rowing Australia Board member and a distinguished former Brigadier in the military – will offer deeper assistance with governance and management, adding to her roles with PA’s Audit and Risk Committee, Fundraising Committee and a potential appointment to the soon-to-be-created cyber security committee.
“I’m actively involved in the delivery of classification, which is my touchpoint into the Para-community, and I have an understanding of our sport system through my Rowing Australia role,” Creagh said.
“I’m keen to support the objectives and imperatives of Paralympics Australia and its work with international and national federations including the International Paralympic Committee.”
Creagh said the Board had identified long-term risks in continuity and weight of effort on the Board.
“Our board roles are voluntary appointments and Jock, as President, lifts a very heavy load,” she said. “He has a lot of work to do with Brisbane 2032 and also the IPC. We’re trying to lighten that load and share our knowledge and expertise with the aim of delivering our Strategy to best support Australia’s Para-sport community.
“We want to take the opportunities that 2032 can present us and we can really only do that by sharing the love.”
By: David Sygall, Paralympics Australia
Posted: 21 March 2023
