Coach and Pathways Strategy Manager, NRL
Connection to place

Jess is a proud Barkindji (Aboriginal) and Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Hine (Māori) woman living in Trangie, Far West NSW, who achieved a historic milestone in 2024 by becoming the first female Head Coach of the Women's Indigenous All Stars team and the First Female to Head Coach the Australian Prime Ministers Women Nation Team. Additionally, she serves as the Assistant Coach for the Harvey Norman Jillaroos, Australia's women's rugby league team.

In 2019, she transitioned into elite coaching, serving as Assistant Coach for the Australian Women’s Prime Ministers XIII team and the inaugural Newcastle Knights NRLW team in 2021.

Currently, Jess holds the position of NRL Pathways Strategic Manager, where she assesses and creates effective pathways, identifying gaps for underrepresented groups in the game, collaborating with stakeholders to develop targeted programs, and consistently updating them to improve representation in NRL, NRLW, and semi-professional clubs.

Contributing over a decade of involvement in the sport, from grassroots to elite levels. Her crowning achievement came in 2022 when she was a part of the coaching staff who coached the Jillaroos team to victory in the World Cup.

Outside of her rugby league involvement, Jess is a dedicated mother of two children. She previously taught as a teacher with the NSW Department of Education in Trangie, NSW, for over a decade, holding a Bachelor of PhysEd. Jess actively serves on the boards of the Trangie Local Aboriginal Lands Council and the non-profit organisation THRIV3, where she plays a vital role in guiding youth and fulfilling cultural responsibilities within her community. Her passion is to promote her culture and create pathways for young people from remote areas to pursue their dreams and succeed in rugby league at the highest levels.

Transgender and diversity advocate
Embracing diversity

Danielle Laidley (birth name Dean Laidley) played 151 games for West Coast Eagles and North Melbourne football clubs, winning an AFL premiership with the Kangaroos in 1996. She became one of the youngest senior coaches ever at 36, coaching North Melbourne for 149 games across seven seasons from 2003 to 2009.

Building on her experience in training and developing people, Danielle moved into a leadership and management role with the Department of Justice.

She was diagnosed with gender dysphoria and is now an advocate for transgender people, raising awareness in a quest for acceptance of diversity. Danielle lives in Melbourne with her partner, Donna Leckie.

CEO, Geelong Cats
Values based leadership

Now spanning the course of five decades, the breadth of Steve Hocking’s roles and experience, coupled with his fierce loyalty to our community, have made him one of the most formative and influential figures in the history of the Geelong Football Club.

The CEO of the Cats first arrived at Kardinia Park as a teenager in the 1980s, bright-eyed and resolute at the beginning of what would become an unforgettable 199-game career. During his time in the Hoops, Hocking played in two AFL Grand Finals and was awarded the club’s most determined player on four occasions.

Following his retirement from playing at the conclusion of the 1994 season, Hocking sought to apply his skills and expand his knowledge in private business. Thankfully, he made his return to the Cattery at the end of 2003 as match committee chairman, a welcome-back that precipitated a decades-long period of sustained success for the Geelong Football Club that continues today.

From 2004 until the end of 2017, Hocking held a variety of roles including Football Operations Manager, General Manager Team Performance, General Manager Commercial Operations and General Manager Football while the Cats won three Premierships and became the winningest team of the era.

Inevitably, AFL House came knocking for his talent and Hocking was appointed General Manager of Football for the AFL in late 2017.  During his four years at headquarters, Hocking was responsible for the advancement of the AFL and AFLW competitions, leading in matters including the laws of the game, mental health, umpiring, talent pathways and the match review panel.

Geelong celebrated his homecoming when Hocking was announced as the next CEO of the Geelong Football Club at the end of 2021.

With a passion for unlocking high performance, unleashing human magic, and advancing all towards equity, since his return Hocking has overseen the Cats win the 2022 AFL Premiership in his first year at the helm, the establishment of the Cats AFLW team as a driving force in the expanding competition, and grown the Geelong’s Team of All to over 90,000 members for the first time in its history.

Gymnastics Coach and Participant
Participant centered coaching

For Leah Englund, gymnastics has been more than a sport—it’s been a lifelong passion and a platform for meaningful relationships. A former Level 10 gymnast who retired at 18, Leah has spent the past 23 years coaching athletes of all ages and abilities, from recreational programs to competitive male and female gymnasts.

As Head Coach of Zodiacs Gymnastics Club in Burnie, Tasmania, for nearly 15 years, Leah has helped shape a small club of 300 members on the northwest coast into a place of connection, achievement and belonging. Central to Leah’s coaching philosophy is the belief that participant-centered coaching is key to keeping people in sport—particularly through their teenage years and into adulthood. This philosophy is most evident in her 14-year coaching partnership with Grace, a gymnast whose story embodies resilience, connection and trust.

Leah has seen Grace through nearly every stage of life: high school, college, two university degrees and now her professional career as an emergency department nurse and paramedic. Together, they have shared triumphs—state titles, national medals, and even Australian Level 10 team selection—and overcome setbacks like injuries, health concerns and disappointments. Through it all, Grace’s continued connection and commitment to gymnastics is a direct reflection of Leah’s unwavering support, tailored approach and deep respect for her athletes.

Leah’s story is about more than medals or milestones; it’s about creating environments where athletes like Grace feel valued, seen, and empowered to pursue their potential. It’s a partnership built on a shared love for the sport, shared goals and mutual trust—proof of the powerful role a coach can play in retention, growth and lifelong participation in sport.

Media Manager, Football Australia
Storytelling for influence

Born in Uganda and arriving in Australia as a six-year-old refugee, Ann Odong has emerged as an award-winning, globally respected storyteller, communicator and advocate for women’s sport.

Passionate about gender equality in sport for women and girls of all backgrounds, for 20 years Ann has tirelessly worked to elevate and amplify women’s voices. In 2008 she founded Australia’s groundbreaking first dedicated digital platform for women’s football, The Women’s Game, which she managed for a decade. The Women’s Game assisted in driving the growth of women’s football in Australia and its investigations instigated change in pay and conditions for athletes in the W-League. Off the pitch Ann worked to nurture and provide opportunities to up and coming female media professionals with several alumni from The Women’s Game employed in organisations including the ABC, Football Australia, The Guardian, ESPN, and Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

Ann joined Football Australia in 2018 as a key member of their successful bid to co-host the historic FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. In 2019 she transitioned to the Matildas becoming their media and PR lead where she has driven the visibility of the Matildas for the past five years to become one of Australia’s most recognisable and loved sporting teams.

Working with Carlee Millikin (GM of Women’s Football), she initiated the OUR GAME Media Program which aims to open doors and provide opportunities for women and non-binary persons to ensure that the push for gender parity in football is not limited to just on the pitch.

She has garnered global acclaim and in 2023 was named one of the eleven most influential people in global women’s football for the year in Relevent Sports’ Best XI, alongside Matildas captain, Sam Kerr. She was also awarded the Inaugural Grant Wahl Memorial Award for her services to women’s football.

In 2024 Ann was named in the NewsCorp Power 100 Most Influential Women in Sport and named the winner of Impactful Storytellers category in The Female Athlete Project Awards.

Match Official, A-League
Officials as leaders

Delfina Shakespear balances her full-time role as a distinguished Program and Strategic Policy Manager in the Australian Public Service (APS) with her responsibilities as a High-Performance Match Official in the Australian A-league. With over 11 years of experience in the Australian Public Service (APS) and more than 15 years of officiating experience, including 11 years in the Ninja A-League ,, Delfina is a trailblazer in the field Delfina was the first woman from the ACT to achieve the milestone of 100 matches at the elite officiating level in Australia and the first woman to hold both ACT Men's and Women's NPL Referee of the Year titles in the same season (2019). Her extensive on-field experience has provided her with invaluable insights and a humanised perspective, which she brings to her leadership roles, including being the first female Vice President of the Professional Football Referees Association and a Board Director for Fearless Women ACT.

Delfina passionately advocates for the empowerment, equity, and opportunity for women and girls, both on and off the field. She volunteers her time as a mentor, educator, and administrator, providing strategic advice to Capital Football on refereeing and promoting opportunities for women to contribute and lead in sport governance. Striving for inclusivity and fair play, her leadership has positively impacted thousands within the sporting community.

Driven by a compelling mission to create a safer and more supportive environment for future generations, Delfina remains unwavering in her pursuit of gender equality and in ensuring young women and girls do not endure the challenges she faced. Thanks to her efforts on the recognition and respect for referees in the sport regardless of gender, all-women referee teams now regularly officiate senior matches in Canberra. Her strategic insight, coupled with her unwavering determination, has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2024 ACT Woman of the Year - Special Commendation Award for services to gender equity in sport, and being a 2025 ACT Australian of the Year - Local Hero Finalist for her gender equity advocacy in sport.

Delfina is a true trailblazer, an advocate, and a change-maker in the realm of sports and inclusive, safe environments within the sporting context.

High-Performance Coach and Paralympian
Community, mentoring and long-term development

Richard was born in 1984 with Spina Bifida and has been passionate about sport from a young age. Engaging in various sports before fully dedicating himself to athletics, Richard has built an impressive career as an elite para-athlete. He continues to stay active, playing wheelchair basketball in the Geelong league and incorporating swimming into his cross-training routine.

Richard began his athletics journey in 1995, quickly making strides in the sport. By 1996, he had secured a spot on his first state team for the Pacific School Games. His talent and determination saw him rise through the ranks, earning selection for major national and international competitions.

His international debut came in 2002 at the IPC World Athletics Championships in Lyon, France, where he won a bronze medal in the T53 400m. Two years later, at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games, Richard secured a gold medal in the T53 800m and a silver medal in the 4x100m relay. He continued his success in 2006 with a bronze medal in the T53 800m at the IPC World Athletics Championships in Assen, Netherlands. At the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, he added a silver medal in the T53 200m and a bronze in the T53 400m to his collection. Over the course of his career, Richard has accumulated numerous medals and accolades, showcasing his dedication and excellence in para-athletics.

Beyond his athletic achievements, Richard has made a significant impact off the track. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Deakin University and has completed various other qualifications. In 2007, he made history as the first person in a wheelchair to umpire an AFL match, officiating as a goal umpire in the Geelong Football League.

Richard is deeply committed to community development, mentoring, and the long-term growth of sport. He dedicates countless hours to coaching and mentoring aspiring athletes, guiding them to achieve their dreams, no matter their circumstances. He regularly coaches at various locations across Victoria, fostering the next generation of athletes.

Always pushing boundaries, Richard became the first person in a wheelchair to travel down Bolivia’s famous Death Road during his 2014 post-season trip to South America. His adventurous spirit and determination continue to inspire others.

As an ambassador for multiple foundations and organizations, Richard champions inclusivity and resilience in sport and beyond. He remains focused on achieving his personal and professional goals, demonstrating that with determination, anything is possible. Through his journey, Richard encourages others to dream big, take chances, and believe in their potential.