Athletics Australia CEO Phil Jones resigns

Athletics Australia Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Phil Jones, has tendered his resignation, effective from 1 July 2017.

“Whilst we understand and support his reasons for moving on, we shall be very sorry to see Phil leave the organisation,” Mark Arbib, Athletics Australia President, said.

“Phil has had a very positive impact in the two and half years he has been in his role.

“Phil came to Athletics Australia at a very difficult time, initially in an interim capacity. He quickly built a team and put structures in place that allowed the organisation to move forward. He has implemented many of the recommendations of the Independent Review of Athletics in Australia (Buchanan Review), released in 2015, and led the development of our 2030 Strategic Vision and Strategic Plan.

“Phil has led the development of excellent partnerships with our many stakeholders including our own Member Associations, Little Athletics, parkrun and others. We have also benefitted greatly from the existing relationships that he had with the Australian Sports Commission, the AOC and the APC when he joined Athletics Australia.

“In addition to being central to the development of Nitro Athletics, Phil has been responsible for a range of other positive initiatives over the last two years. Our overall performances at the Olympic Games in Rio, the recent World Relay Championship and other international events continue to show improvement. Athletics is now on the up and this is in large part due to Phil’s great work.”

Jones described being CEO of Athletics Australia as a pleasure and a privilege.

“It has been both a pleasure and a privilege to serve as the CEO of Athletics Australia,” Jones said.

“I am very grateful to the Board, management and staff for their support during a period of significant and rapid change for the organisation. It was never going to be an easy journey.

“We have built a solid base on which the sport in Australia can continue to build. I leave knowing that the organisation is in a much better place than it was when I started and that, after a difficult period, athletics in Australia is now headed in the right direction. I wish everyone the very best for the future.

“Whilst sorry to be going, I am looking forward to spending more time with my family in Sydney. Now is a good time for me to look for opportunities that allow me to be based closer to home.”

Jones will continue in his role until the end of June. The search for a new CEO will begin immediately.