Founder

Usman Khawaja needs little introduction to cricket fans and supporters all over the world. The Pakistani-born Australian cricketer and qualified pilot has become one of the most recognisable sports people on the planet.

A left handed top order batsman, Khawaja became the first Muslim and first Pakistani-born Australian to receive an Australian Cricket Test baggy green cap. Khawaja played his first test in 2011 against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground and since then has become a leading light in the Australian Test Team.

Born in Pakistan, Usman moved to Australia with his family as a young boy and grew up in Sydney. Usman studied at the University of NSW and graduated with an Aviation Degree and a commercial pilot license.

Usman’s talent, perseverance and leadership qualities have been recognised with his appointment as Captain of Queensland for the past three seasons.

Usman is currently under contract for Brisbane Heat, Queensland Cricket and Cricket Australia.

Usman is a role model for young Australian’s and a global cricket superstar. He has represented Australia in all three forms of the game – Tests, One Day and T20 Internationals..

Chairman

The Hon. Morris Iemma served as Premier of NSW from 2005-2008 and prior to that held the ministerial portfolios of Treasury, Health, Sport and Recreation, Public Works and Services, and Minister Assisting the Premier.

Morris is Chief Executive Officer of Government Relations firm, Iemma Patterson Premier Advisory and Chairman of Greyhound Racing NSW.

Morris is also a board member of TAFE NSW and is Chairman of Riverwood Community Centre, Miracle Babies Foundation and NSW Cancer Institute. He has also served on the Boards of Beyond Blue, the SCG Trust and as Chair of the South East Sydney Health District.

A long time resident of Beverley Hills and accredited cricket coach, he coaches several junior teams at Kingsgrove Cricket Club in the St George Cricket Association.

Director of Programs

William (Bill) Anderson PSM, is a passionate advocate of creating innovative opportunities, for young people, in the areas of sports. arts and education.

Bill has a unique background, having been an educator as well as a professional rugby league and cricket coach. He is believed to be the only person ever to have coached both NSW Cricket and First Grade Rugby League.

Bill was also a television and radio sports broadcaster and writer. In his former role as a Director in the NSW Department of Education, Bill had responsibility for leading the large team responsible for the delivery of visual and performing arts, sports and conservatoriums of music as well as sponsorship and promotional activities.

In 2014, in recognition of his outstanding service to education, youth, sport and the arts, Bill was awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM).

Director

Experienced General Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the sports industry and for some of the world’s leading consumer brands. Skilled in Revenue Generation, Business Strategy, Strategic Marketing and Digital Innovation. A passionate leader with strong communication and relationship skills. Bachelor of Business focused in Marketing from Queensland University of Technology.

Play Sports Marketing – Managing Director

Company Secretary

Heidi is a qualified Company Secretary who has been in the Corporate Governance space now for over ten years. She has been involved as a Governance professional for large corporate bodies such as RACQ, Careers Australia and most recently is Assistant Company Secretary for a Government Owned Corporation.

Heidi was also the Company Secretary for another not-for-profit charity, So Brave Ltd, from 2019 to 2022 which advocated awareness and research for breast cancer in women under the age of 40.

Heidi has a Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance, Certificate of Governance Practice, Diploma of Accounting among other qualifications.

Treasurer and Non-Executive Director

Anna Ronald is a CPA and Registered Tax Agent with a robust understanding of the financial accounting process within both small and larger entities. Anna has over 20 years accounting experience in both Australia and the UK, including a collective 10 years in the finance team at both Cricket Australia and Cricket Scotland.

Anna is the Managing Director of Anna Ronald Accounting Pty Ltd, a boutique accounting practice specialising in small business, sporting entities and not-for-profit clients.

Program Coordinator

Herman has over 10 years of professional experience working in the sports industry. An experienced leader in sport with strong networks with Government organisations, businesses and community leaders.

Prior to becoming the Director of Australian International Sports Organisation Herman was the Multicultural Participation Specialist at Cricket NSW. His role was to strategically influence internal and external stakeholders to drive participation opportunities and outcomes for emerging and growing multicultural communities across NSW and the ACT.

His work with Cricket NSW and Cricket Australia was recognised as it won the Australian Multicultural Marketing Media Awards ‘Sports Category’ for 2 years.

Herman was also the founder of the Winter Cricket Cup, a community based cricket competition held in NSW.

Director

Irfan has over 25 years of industry experience across capital markets ranging from asset management, multi-asset structured solutions, and technology driven financial platforms.

He has run or setup structured finance businesses for a number of large multinational firms such as Citigroup and Macquarie Bank in various global locations including Australia, India, the United States and UAE. In addition, Irfan has worked with payment industry leading platforms and providers such as PayPal to help create offerings that have redefined the way payments are delivered.

Irfan has sat on a number of advisory and industry consultation boards and been involved in the formulation of securities and tax regulation in a number of jurisdictions such as Australia, India and UAE.

Irfan is currently Chief Executive Officer and founder of Well Health Medical Services, whose mandate is to provide high quality health care facilities, solutions and outcomes to the local communities where they operate.

Director

Enthusiastic and diligent professional with 25 + years of hands-on experience, relationship management, community engagement, and project management in both the public and private sector. Exceptional analytical skills and a remarkable ability to negotiate with clients to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes.

Able to provide community and stakeholder engagement services to projects, in accordance with strategic plans, consultative processes, state policies, and reporting requirements in a variety of areas.

Active and engaging communicator with a strong ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, both internal and external.

Accredited coach in both Cricket and Rugby League, Secretary of St Joseph’s rugby League Football ball Club.

Active member of Charities organization with St Vincent’s DePaul , have volunteered with the Refugee association of Australia and worked at the Wayside Chapel.