Kate Jenkins, the former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner, has been named the new Chair of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC). 

As Australia grapples with gender inequality issues across major sports, Minister for Sport, Anika Wells, says Jenkins will be able to steer the ASC during a transformative period.

Jenkins brings a wealth of experience to her new role. 

She has chaired "Play by the Rules," served on the board of the Carlton Football Club, and acted as an ambassador for both the T20 Women’s World Cup Cricket in 2020 and the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023. 

Additionally, she conducted an independent review of Gymnastics Australia for the Human Rights Commission in 2021. 

The ASC is Australia’s leading agency for funding and promoting sports nationwide. 

Jenkins’s appointment comes at a time that many sports organisations are attempting to address their historical contributions to gender inequality. 

“Kate is one of Australia’s most distinguished leaders and her record of making systemic change across a range of sectors speaks for itself,” said Kieran Perkins, the CEO of the ASC. 

“There is no doubt that Kate’s expertise will be a wonderful asset to the ASC and our whole sector as we strive to ensure sport has a place for everyone and delivers results that make Australia proud.”

Jenkins's extensive professional background includes serving as the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner, an Employment Law Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills, and Chair of the Creative Workplaces Council. 

She has been recognised for her contributions to human rights and gender equity with her appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia.

Wells also announced the appointment of Nicholas Green and Dr Bridie Kean as ASC board members for three-year terms. 

Green is a dual Olympic gold medallist with significant executive experience in both public and private sectors. He has held leadership roles in organisations such as Cycling Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee. 

Kean, a dual Paralympic medallist, is a lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast and has been involved in key roles within the Paralympic community, including her recent appointment as Deputy Chef de Mission of the 2024 Australian Paralympic Team.

“These appointments will help us address a critical period for Australian sport, as we navigate through the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and ramp up preparations for Brisbane 2032,” Wells said. 

“Kate Jenkins is an outstanding administrator who has improved systems and sectors throughout a decorated career that includes significant reforms in sport. Ms Jenkins' background in human rights and as Sex Discrimination Commissioner will be invaluable for the sporting community.”