2020 QTF AFFILIATE CONFERENCE
30 NOVEMBER 2020
2020 QTF AFFILIATE CONFERENCE
30 NOVEMBER 2020
*Times subject to change.
Guest Speakers
James Hinchey
NRL General Manager Participation Strategy, Education and Training.
James has led the development of the Rugby League Player Development Framework, a game wide project being undertaken over the course of the last 3 years to deliver age and stage appropriate Rugby League experiences.
James has held previous roles as Queensland Game Development Manager for the NRL along with the Brisbane Broncos Elite Player Development Manager and CEO of the Redcliffe Dolphins.
James will discuss the NRL Participation strategy, in particular around the NRL player development framework and discuss the connection between the NRL and Touch Football.
Rachael Harpur
Queensland Touch Football’s Marketing and Communications Manager.
Rachael is an experienced marketing professional and currently leads the state marketing and communications department at Queensland Touch Football. Her background in agency and in-house marketing across small and large businesses has transferred into a passion for driving local area marketing initiatives and results across multiple platforms.
Rachael will discuss marketing 101 focused on digital solutions, including websites, social management and advertising and local SEO to increase awareness and membership.
Leadership Panel
Catherine Clark
Netball Queensland, CEO
Catherine is an experienced Board Director, CEO and Senior Executive with a background in government, sport and management consulting. Her background in elite sport has transferred into a passion for achieving results through building high performing teams and organisations. She is known for successful transformations and change leadership roles in her various leadership positions. However, she does reserve her “best-on-field” performances for her two young boys Magnus, 6 and Hardy, 4. Catherine is currently CEO of Netball Queensland, the Queensland Firebirds and Nissan Arena, and is an Appointed Director of Shooting Australia.
Steve Mitchell
NRL Titans, CEO
Steve Mitchell came to the Gold Coast Titans from Touch Football Australia where he spearheaded the highly successful inaugural NRL Touch Premiership competition. Steve has held a number of executive roles, working with the Melbourne Rebels (Super Rugby), North Queensland Cowboys, Southern Cross Austereo, Seven Network, News Corporation and Network Ten.
In his second season as CEO of the Titans, Steve has led the club’s resurgence on the field and commercial growth off the field through a difficult year for everyone. The Titans are now well placed to begin the 2021 season on the front foot with a strong and loyal following of passionate corporate partners and clubs members.
Dave Zanette
NRL Touch Premiership Cowboys Captain
Dave Zanette has been playing touch football since he was 12 years old. Growing up in Chinchilla, Dave played most sports including, soccer, rugby league and swimming.
As an Australian Touch Football representative player, Dave began his sporting career representing South West Queensland in Cross Country, Athletics, Rugby League, Soccer and Touch Football. Selected to represent Queensland for the first time in 98’ at the state championships in Cairns, from that moment Dave began to take touch seriously.
He participated at the national carnival in Melbourne, (coached by Peter Gagen) and won. Shortly after, Dave was selected in the Australian squad on tour of New Zealand (coached by Peter Robinson). The support and mentorship off the back of this campaign encouraged Dave to relocate and accept a scholarship in Bundaberg at St Lukes Anglican College and progress his touch career.
Dave is currently the NRL Touch Premiership Cowboys Captain and continues to improve his own personal game as well as support and encourage his teammates and grassroot players.
Affiliate Discussion
Chris Davis
General Manager – Brisbane Metropolitan Touch Association (BMTA)
Like many Australians, Chris first developed a love of sport in primary school, specifically in Aussie Rules Football, swimming, athletics and triathlon. At the age of 16 he discovered ultimate frisbee, going on to play in 9 National Championships with teams in South Australia and Queensland along with being selected in the All Australian open training squad in 2011.
Even early on, his passion for organisation and sport was evident, running cash entry AFL tipping competitions and coordinating junior teeball referees before leaving primary school. On his 21st birthday, Chris packed up his life for a full-time club development role in Toowoomba with AFL Queensland before eventually finding his way to Brisbane managing the QAFL State League competition. In 2018 Chris was selected into the AFL Industry Emerging Leaders Program and was awarded AFL Queensland’s prestigious Troy Clarke Award for the employee best living the AFL’s values.
Chris is currently the General Manager at BMTA, a role he has held since June 2019. Since his appointment, BMTA has returned to a financially stable position, completed construction of a new maintenance shed, launched a new strategic plan and still managed to have an increase in team numbers despite COVID-19.
Outside of work, Chris enjoys road and trail running in summer, along with playing football for the Sherwood Magpies while his body continues to hold out. He also spends time working through DIY projects at home and spending time with his wife, Loren and 6 year old daughter, Olivia.
Aimee Best
Affiliate Manger – Caboolture Touch Association
Like many other sports driven people, Aimee has played Touch Football from the age of 13 to her early 20’s including representative football throughout her schooling and for the Sunshine Coast. Aimee also enjoyed playing Netball from the age of 5 including representing Queensland.
Before landing the job of affiliate manager for Caboolture Touch, Aimee used to work as a personal assistant for the partners of a large accounting firm in Brisbane for 10 years before shifting to office manager of a Biodiesel Manufacturing Facility for 4 years where Aimee has developed her office administration experience. After 4 years at the Biodiesel Manufacturing Facility, Aimee moved to work as Assistant in Nursing in an aged care facility for 10 years which provided her with the skills of working with people and time management. All of this experience made Aimee the perfect candidate for the Affiliate Manager of Caboolture Touch.
Aimee has been the Affiliate Manager of Caboolture Touch since 2013 and prior to this was involved as a volunteer admin since 2009 whilst her father Ross Best was the Administrator. Aimee’s current role as affiliate manager involves managing all competitions from senior and junior, additional programs like women in touch and the junior academy, representative events and teams, finance, stock, volunteers, the website and social media, staffing and canteen.
Mitch Alexander
General Manager – Palm Beach Touch Association
Mitch has an impressive resume, boasting achievements in the sporting industry and the financial sector. Mitch has 14 years’ experience as a Bank Manager and Home Loan Specialist and has spent over 16 years volunteering and working between Affiliates in NSW and QLD in addition to attaining a role within the South Queensland and Border Districts region.
Mitch is currently the General Manager of Palm Beach Touch Association and continues to lead a dynamic team and kick goals in South East Queensland.
When he’s not on the touch football field representing Queensland, Sharks, Coaching or Refereeing, Mitch enjoys participating in triathlons and spending time with his wife, 3 kids and puppy!
