Board Biographies

Pierre is the Acting CEO and head of Schools and Participation at Special Olympics Australia, where he developed the Inclusive Sport in Schools program. He has worked at several National Sporting Organisations and at the Australian Sports Commission (now Sport Australia) where he oversaw the national participation and physical literacy agendas, was instrumental in the design and delivery of Sporting Schools, and previously, the Active After-School Communities program.

Pierre is a respected sports administrator with experience in government policy, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and program design. He oversaw development of the world renown Australian Physical Literacy Framework, used it as the common language and developmental framework to unite the sport, health and education sectors to get a country moving, and he continues to champion this agenda as Co-Chair of the Physical Literacy Special Interest Group at the Australasian Society for Physical Activity.

Malcolm Freake founded Bluearth Foundation in 2001 after selling his computer software company HUON Corporation. In 2006 Malcolm was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community as a promoter of healthy life programs and as a contributor to business and sporting organisations.

Mike is best known as singer/ song writer behind the unofficial Australian Rules football anthem ‘Up There Cazaly’. He has forged a successful career in advertising and is a respected marketing strategist. In 2013 Mike was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the community.

Jan Cooper was the AFL Manager of Female Football Development for 12 years, having previously worked with the WA Football Commission, as their Female Football Manager, whilst still primary school teaching. In 2015 she received the National Football Woman of the Year Award. She was inducted into WA’s International Women’s Day Hall of Fame in 2017, was a finalist in the Western Australian of the Year for Sport and United Nations Diversity and Inclusive finalist. Jan now works for the West Coast Eagles Football Club as the Player Wellbeing and Pathways Manager and helped get their first AFLW team prepared for 2020.

Dr Jeffery Simons is Professor of Kinesiology at the California State University East Bay, specialising in the psychology of physical activity. Jeff has more than 25 years’ experience as a consultant in sports psychology which has seen him work with athletes and coaches at six Olympics and numerous international sporting events.

Peter Thomas is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and a director of TFG International. He has extensive experience as a director and currently serves on the boards of the Commonwealth Government entity Indigenous Business Australia.