Co-Chair Conference Organising Committee: Lydia Dowse

Name: Lydia Dowse
Firm: Eventscorp WA
Address: Level 9, 2 Mill Street   Perth   WA   6000
Email: Please use the contact form

Lydia has over 20 years experience working in the sports and events industries. She started her career as a sports lawyer acting for a range of sports organisations before moving into sports management. In 1995 she became General Manager of National Soccer League Club, Sydney Olympic. Later she worked as General Manager of Football for Football Federation Victoria. Lydia has also held senior positions at Eventscorp WA and Victorian Major Events Company, attracting and developing major events in both states.

Lydia has taught sports and event management and sports law at Melbourne University, Deakin University, University of Technology Sydney and Edith Cowan University.

Lydia has an honours Arts and Law degree from Melbourne University and a Masters Degree in Sports Management from University of Technology, Sydney.

Name: Venetia Stewart
Firm: Middletons
Address: Level 32, 44 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
Email: Please use the contact form

Venetia Stewart is a director of the Australian and New Zealand Sports Law Association (ANZSLA) and a senior associate in Middletons' dispute resolution group in Perth.  Originally from Perth, Venetia moved to Melbourne in 2006 to undertake a Master of Business (Sport Management) at Deakin University. 

She commenced employment with Middletons in Melbourne in 2006, working in the firm's litigation and dispute resolution team on a variety of matters including contractual disputes, tortious matters and government inquiries and investigations.  Venetia acts for clients across a range of industries, including resources (particularly oil and gas), construction, financial services and sport.

Venetia returned to WA in 2009, and has remained active and interested in the sports industry.  She advises sporting clients, including the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships, chairs disciplinary tribunal hearings for Football West, has led an investigation for Cycling Australia, and has written papers about major events legislation and athlete image rights.  

Venetia has been a member of ANZSLA since 2006.  She chaired the 2008 Melbourne conference organising committee and has been a Board member since 2008. 

Name: Philip Badock
Firm:  WA Department of Sport and Recreation
Address: 
Email: Please use the contact form

 

Phil Badock is the Team Leader State-wide Programs and Innovation at the Western Australian Department of Sport and Recreation. Major areas of responsibility in this portfolio include sport ethics and safety, drugs in sport, indigenous sport program and innovative solutions to increasing participation particularly for marginalised populations. The ethical and legal issues as they relate to this portfolio is of particular interest to him.

Phil has wide experience in an organisational development consultancy role with major State sporting associations and peak sport and recreation bodies.

Phil has also enjoyed many years as a volunteer coach and administrator in sporting clubs and State sporting associations.

Phil holds a Masters degree in Physical Education.

Name: Rob Lillis
Firm:
Address: 
Email: Please use the contact form

Rod Lillis has worked in financial and senior management roles in the not-for-profit and commercial sector for more than 25 years.  His career commenced as a trainee accountant in rural NSW before expanding into general management, including senior positions at the ABC. Rod transferred to Perth in 1997 to become the first CEO of the newly independent Western Australian Symphony Orchestra following its divestment from the ABC. Having always been an avid sports participant, he took the opportunity to move into professional sports administration in 2000 with a move to the Western Australian Cricket Association, including stints as Business Affairs Manager and CEO. After an extended period working overseas, Rod returned to Perth to concentrate on developing and operating Crunch Consulting. Rod is a Fellow of the Institute of Public Accountants, he is married with two young boys and aspires simply to still being around when the Dockers win the flag.

Name: James O'Toole
Firm: Lander & Rogers
Address: Level 12, 600 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Email:  Please use the Contact Form

James has recently commenced work as a Lawyer with Lander & Rogers as part of the Sports Business Group within their Corporate Advisory Practice. 

James has had a long time affiliation with Sports Administration.  Previous roles include working as the Surf Sports Manager for Surf Life Saving Western Australia and a Facility Coordinator for the West Australian Sports Centre Trust.

James is also an owner of two successful private commercial Aquatic Facilities in Perth.

Name:  
Firm:
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Helen Cunningham has worked in the sport and recreation industry for nine years in both the UK and Australia.  Helen is currently a manager at the WA Sports Federation, and has been since March 2008.  Helen manages a range of projects including the Harassment-free sport and active recreation project, where she supports the WA sport and recreation industry to: proactively create safe and fair environments throughout all levels of their organisation, and with complaint resolution.  Prior to this, Helen was involved in the area of inclusive sport and active recreation.

Helen has a joint honours degree in sociology and sport and is currently in the final stages of a Master of Business (Sports Management).  Helen is passionate about developing sport and recreation at all levels.

Name:      Rob Humphreys
Firm:         
Address:  
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Rob Humphreys Graduated Bachelor Arts/ Law and Grad Dip Legal Practice from Australian National University in Canberra, 2006.

Rob moved to Perth in 2007 and joined Gibson & Gibson's Litigation team dealing mainly in workplace relations and industrial law.  Rob has extensive sports law experience acting for and advising various sporting bodies. Rob also is a regular contributor of articles to industry periodicals.

Rob has recently been appointed Senior Associate at Clayton Utz in their workplace relations and employment team (as of January 2012) and has lengthy sports administration experience at club level.  Rob has also been selected in state representative teams for cricket and rugby.

Name:    Brian Sierakowski
Firm:      
Address: 
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Brian Sierakowski has acted as Legal Counsel for the Insurance Commission  of  Western Australia for 25 years.  He was previously a Partner of Talbot & Olivier and has practised continuously in the  Law for the past 40 years as a Barrister and Solicitor.

He has been Arbitrator for the Western Australian Football Commission (“WAFC”) since 1988 and is a member of the WAFC Appeals Tribunal.

He is currently Chairman of the Community Football Council of Western Australia. 

He had a distinguished football career in the VFL  and WAFL and was the recipient of the Australian Sports Medal in 2000. 

He has had a lengthy involvement in the administration of sport, including Vice Presidency of the Subiaco Football Club and a Director of the West Coast Eagles for 9 years. 

He has written articles on the role of tribunals and arbitrators when dealing with protests and disputes and the role of lawyers in sporting tribunals.

He is a member of the Law Society of Western Australia and provides legal advice to sporting bodies and administrators.