Julie is the Governance and Women’s Sport Lead at Sport SA and the Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Centre for Women’s Sport. She is a highly experienced senior executive with an extensive career in the sports industry, leading the strategic direction, management, and growth of sport, with a particular focus on advancing women’s sport. Her experience includes five years working within the UK sports system and sports industry.

Julie is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds tertiary qualifications in sports management and coaching, and recently completed a Bachelor of Laws, and is a National Director of Pride in Law.

A lifelong advocate for gender equity and diversity in sport, Julie is committed to ensuring future generations of women and girls have equal opportunities to reach their full potential in the sport of their choice.

Julie’s career spans roles as a player, coach, official, coaching director, administrator, board director, and volunteer. She competed in nine World Masters Games before retiring from competition and remains actively engaged in sport through her role at Sport SA and the involvement of her partner and children. One of eight siblings, Julie was raised by a strong mother and a father who worked as a physical training instructor, influences that helped shape her lifelong connection to sport.

Recipient of the Aboriginal Impact Award for the Office for Women (SA) Women of Impact Awards – SACA Aboriginal Advisory Board, Jade is a proud Ngarrindjeri, Arabana and Pitjantjatjara women.

Having worked in the public sector for almost 21 years mainly in Aboriginal Affairs divisions, she is currently the Coordinator of the SA Department for Infrastructure and Transport's Aboriginal Road Safety & Driver Licencing team that delivers two components: On The Right Track and On The Right Track Remote, delivering programs that provide road safety initiatives for Aboriginal people living in South Australia. She is passionate about delivering programs that have a meaningful impact for the wellbeing of Aboriginal people.

Valeria has competed in soccer at senior level since 2013 across 3 different Adelaide clubs, and has also represented SA nationally in futsal. During that time, she has held captain and vice-captain roles, and has experienced the highs of winning multiple championships, as well as the challenges of league relegation. Through her playing career, Valeria has seen first-hand how access to quality facilities, inclusive design, and equitable investment directly influence participation, performance and retention of women in sport. Alongside soccer, Valeria is a town planner with a background in architectural design, giving her a strong interest in urban design and the relationship between sport, place and community infrastructure. She is also a member of PIA’s Women in Planning Committee, where she contributes to conversations around equity, leadership and creating more inclusive built environments.

Amber Ward currently plays for North Adelaide, having previously played for the Adelaide Crows AFLW side in 2022 after originally being drafted by the West Coast Eagles in 2020.

With a background in soccer, Amber only begun playing Australian rules football three years before reaching the country's premier competition, going on to make her AFLW debut the following season.

She represented South Australia in the 2018 AFL Women's Under 18 Championships, and the Central Allies (South Australian and the Northern Territory) in the 2019 AFL Women's Under 18 Championships.

Melissa is a soccer administrator and volunteer with more than a decade of club governance experience and a strong record of delivering outcomes. She has helped secure grants and deliver infrastructure upgrades, and much-needed female-specific facilities for 2 major soccer clubs, while supporting the clubs' growth across junior, senior, women’s and girls’ programs. 

Melissa has completed Football Australia’s Women in Leadership course, and graduated from the Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Centre for Women in Sport program, where she now serves on the Alumnae Advisory Group. 

A Chief Inspector with SAPOL and Manager of Community Engagement Section, Melissa has executive experience in strategic leadership, community engagement, procurement and governance. She also co-developed the SAPOL–Football SA community partnership promoting safer communities through sport, and advocates strongly for gender equitable governance in sport, female participation and leadership across all roles - players, referees, coaches and administrators. 

Sarah Lowe is a highly accomplished captain and all rounder for Kensington District Cricket Club (the Browns) in South Australia, where she has led the team to eleven first grade premierships. She is a three time Karen Rolton Medallist (2016/17, 2020/21, 2024/25), recognised as the best and fairest player in the South Australian Cricket Association Premier Cricket competition, and is a Life Member of the Browns. Throughout her cricket career, she has also represented South Australia and was part of the National Title winning team in 2015/16. In addition to cricket, Sarah has represented Australia in lacrosse at both junior and senior levels.

Beyond playing, Sarah is actively involved in coaching and supporting the next generation of athletes. She is also a Senior Consultant at URPS, working within the policy team.