Bromley to step down as Athletics Australia CEO, search for successor begins

Athletics Australia will commence its search for a new Chief Executive Officer, with the news today that current CEO Peter Bromley will step down from the position following the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and subsequent conclusion of his contract.

Bromley, who has been instrumental in steering Athletics Australia through a period of stabilisation and success, has made the decision to finish his tenure, allowing the Athletics Australia board to find a new chief to lead the sport through to the Brisbane 2032 Games.

Named as CEO in April 2021 following the Covid-19 pandemic, Bromley stepped into the role in an interim capacity before embarking on a further three-year contract, following the success of the Tokyo Games.

Under his leadership, Athletics Australia has achieved notable milestones including being named as World Athletics’ Federation of the Year in 2023, a record six medals at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, as well as hosting the 2023 World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst and reinvigorating the domestic season.

Athletics Australia President Jane Flemming congratulated Bromley on his work in the role, commenting on the current trajectory of the sport.

“On behalf of the Athletics Australia Board and the athletics community, I wish to express my gratitude to Peter for the contribution he has made to the sport in his time as CEO,” Flemming said.

“Peter has shown commitment and dedication to our sport, bringing stability and confidence back to our stakeholders as we emerged from Covid. He has guided the organisation to new heights and has worked on strategies to diversify the offering of the sport to ensure that we can inspire the athlete inside of everyone. I am confident that his work will have a lasting impact on Australian athletics and generations finding their way to our sport.”

Bromley’s leadership has also seen the creation of the Athletes Advisory Committee, Sydney Marathon becoming a candidate to become an Abbott World Marathon Major, the development of a Junior Participation strategy to be launched later this year, as well as the implementation of new governance, compliance and integrity policies to meet ASC and World Athletics standards.

“It has been a real privilege to lead our sport and see our growth in many areas, including the success of our athletes on the world stage and being recognised as the number one federation by World Athletics in 2023,” Bromley said.

“However, there is still plenty of work to do in my remaining time with Athletics Australia, with our competition season well underway and the final preparation for the Paris Games, and I am looking forward to seeing what we can do in the time I have left as our plans come to fruition.”

Following the appointment of a new CEO, Bromley will work with the Board to facilitate a smooth transition and maintain the momentum following the conclusion of the Paris 2024 Games.

The board of Athletics Australia has engaged Odgers Berndtson to lead the search for a new CEO. More information can be found here.

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 21/2/2024