The Rugby Steering Committee are a group of essential and likeminded professionals who will aid in the partnership and development of current and future endeavours throughout the Rugby community.
Assisting in areas such as the rugby program, stakeholders and delivery, these areas are supported by the Steering Committee to provide a link between rugby programs, Junior Executive, and Council of clubs.
The Steering committee will provide essential experience and professional knowledge of business, game health, and the sports industry. In addition, the steering committee will support the potential growth of the game supporting: Strategy, policy and research
Business and commercial and Sporting industry.
Learn more about the new Steering Committee.
Tony Blazevich, PhD, is a Professor in Biomechanics and lecturer in clinical neurophysiology in the School of Medical and Health Sciences at Edith Cowan University (ECU).
Tony serves as the Director of the Centre for Exercise and Sports Science Research (CESSR) and leads a research group that focuses on understanding both the acute and long-term effects of exercise training and detraining on healthy, athletic and clinical populations.
Professor Blazevich works with athletes at both domestic and international levels, particularly with Olympic institutes and academies in Australia (AIS, QAS) and overseas; this includes previous work with Olympic gold medal track & field athletes as the Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach with UK Athletics.
Professor Blazevich has consulted with Waikato (NZ), London Wasps (UK), London Irish (UK) and Leicester Tigers (UK) rugby union organisations. As a former rugby player with Southern Cross University, London Welsh Rugby Football Club and Wests-Scarborough Rugby Union, Professor Blazevich is still an avid rugby fan.
Jeremy Sorensen Bach Ed (Adult Ed), BA (Phys Ed), Grad Cert (PSM), Cert IV (TAE)
Jeremy is currently working at the Department of Training and Workforce Development, coordinating special initiatives to address skill shortage areas in industries such as residential and civil construction.
He has been actively involved in the sports industry for more than 25 years in a full-time capacity, including roles such as Head of Programs (Sport & Fitness, TAFE), National Technical Manager (Touch Football Australia), State Manager (Touch Football WA & Qld), Adviser (NT Minister for Sport and Recreation), Director Participation & Development (NT Department of Sport & Recreation), Business Manager (NT Institute of Sport) and Physical Education Teacher.
He has also been and continues to be a ‘serial volunteer in roles such as level 4 touch football referee, Joondalup Touch Football competition administrator, surf lifesaving patrol member, sports trainer, performance analyst, and various team community-level coach/manager roles.
He is an avid sports fan and enjoys being active, camping, travelling with family and friends, drinking a modest amount of craft beer, or combining these things all at the same time.
Neill Potts, PhD Skill Acquisition
Performance Team Director – Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS).
Neil is currently the Performance Team Director, Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS), responsible for leading a multi-disciplinary team of professional coaches and performance staff in a cluster of Olympic Sports that prepare athletes for selection to National and Olympic Teams.
Formerly a strength and conditioning coach, in various sports to win 17 (11 gold, three silver, three bronze) medals and trophies in elite international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and World Championships.
Rugby experience includes national Athletic Performance Manager, Scottish Rugby Union, leading the strategic development of multi-disciplinary performance services, including 2 World Cup and 130 international fixtures.
Daniel Whiston (BCompt, FIPA, FCCA, AGIA, ACIS, GAICD)
CFO and Company Secretary of NS Group, a Property Advisory, Project and Development Management Company. Daniel’s mandate of helping the Group achieve its strategic growth objectives as the business expands its operations nationally, is delivered through his corporate experience in finance, governance & leadership. Essential passions for Daniel outside of work are his family, friendships, travel and sport. Daniel turned professional and played rugby in England, South Africa and Ireland, before retiring in 2000. He is currently assistant coach of the Wests Scarborough Premier grade team and assistant coach of the WA state U16’s team for 2021.
