The Gippsland Sports Academy is fortunate to have a small but extremely dedicated team providing outstanding service to all stakeholders.
A strong balance of community representatives proudly and selflessly commit their time to ensure the Gippsland Sports Academy continues to deliver the best level of service to aspiring Gippsland athletes.
Structure
Anita Pistrin
Executive Officer
Rebecca Wagner
Finance / Administration
Officer
Jude Bergmann
Program / Admin Officer
Board Members
Ms Sandra Timmer-Arends
Chair Person
Sandra is the current Chair of the GSA board and is Head of Sport, Traralgon Campus at St Pauls Grammar School in Traralgon. Sandra has an interest in Netball and represents the Board on the Netball Advisory Panel. Sandra is also active on the Programs Sub Committee.
Ms Jenni Lewis
Deputy Chairperson
Jennifer is the Workforce Development Manager at Harness Racing Victoria, establishing high performance and elite athlete pathways in the sport of harness racing. She is a graduate of the Gippsland Community Leadership Program 2019 and was a teacher of Equine programs with Community College Gippsland until 2021.
Mr Darrell White
Treasurer
Board Chairman 1997-2012. Darrell has a long association with tennis and football as player and administrator, now with lawn bowls. He continues to share his experience on the GSA Tennis Advisory Panel. Darrell is Chair of the Gippstar Panel and well known as Councillor with Latrobe City Council from 1997 – 2020
Mr Jim Vivian
Secretary
Jim is on the GSA Board after retiring from the EO position of the GSA in 2018. Jim was previously in Executive roles with Federation Training. Jim is currently on the Advisory panel for ISH, Golf, CTS and on the Finance Committee.
Ms Lauren Blunt
I am a dedicated professional with over 10 years of experience both in Australia and abroad, specialising in strategic planning, logistics, and sports management. Holding dual Bachelor’s degrees in Business and Sports Business, I possess a strong foundation in operational management and the sports industry.
Mr Matthew DeSalvo
Matt was born and raised on the Bass Coast and has had a long association with Volleyball across Gippsland. A former elite pathway athlete, Matt is passionate about enabling local athlete’s to compete at state, national and world level. Matt’s corporate career has centered around Human Resources, most recently as a Director at Hudson RPO.
Mr Jacob Gruis
Jacob resides in Yinnar with his wife and two young daughters. A lifelong advocate for sport in Gippsland, Jacob has contributed to the region’s sporting community as a player, coach, and administrator. He is a life member of the Latrobe Valley Volleyball Association.
Ms Kate McPherson
Kate has a Corporate background in Healthcare, Pharmaceutical and Medical Device industries with a passion and focus for HR Operations, Administration and Supply Chain. Kate holds volunteer positions within the equestrian environment and loves all things sport.
