Lacrosse Australia Annual General Meeting & Board Update
Lacrosse Australia held its Annual General Meeting on Monday 13 April, bringing together Member Associations and key stakeholders. The meeting reinforced a shared commitment to growth, alignment and long-term success as the sport builds towards the LA 2028 Olympic Games.
At the AGM, three nominations were received for four available Director roles and were accepted by the Nominations Committee unopposed.
The following Directors were elected:
Abbie Burgess-Brice, elected for a three-year term through to the 2029 AGM
Sharna Spittle, elected for a two-year term through to the 2028 AGM
Courtney Hobbs, elected for a two-year term through to the 2028 AGM
The Board now consists of:
Abbie Burgess-Brice, Elected Director (term to 2029 AGM)
Tim Kennedy, Appointed Director (term to 31 October 2028)
Courtney Hobbs, Elected Director (term to 2028 AGM)
Sharna Spittle, Elected Director (term to 2028 AGM)
Mike Skeggs, Elected Director (term to 2027 AGM)
Stephen Mortimer, Appointed Director (term to 28 February 2027)
Hayley Sofarnos-Plumb, Appointed Director (term to 31 October 2026)
Elected Director, Vacant
Appointed Director, Vacant
The AGM also marked the release of the 2025 Annual Report, highlighting a year of consolidation and forward momentum across governance, performance and visibility.
Chair and Director, Abbie Burgess-Brice, outlined key achievements from 2025, noting a clear shift from a period of transformation to one of greater stability and direction. This included the transition to a CEO-led structure, continued strengthening of governance practices and disciplined financial management.
Internationally, Australian teams returned to the podium, reinforcing the strength of the high-performance system, while progress continued in aligning the sport to the Olympic pathway with a clear line of sight to LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032. Increased visibility through initiatives such as Major League Sixes, alongside securing hosting rights for the 2026 Asia-Pacific Sixes Lacrosse Championships Olympics Qualifier, further strengthened the sport’s national and international presence.
Despite this progress, growth and participation remain both the greatest challenge and the most significant opportunity. Key focus areas include increasing membership, improving conversion from entry-level programs into club environments, delivering greater national consistency across the sport’s three disciplines, and strengthening the overall value proposition of lacrosse within the Australian sporting landscape. These priorities align closely with Lacrosse Australia’s national strategy to build a consistent system and leverage the Olympic opportunity to grow the game.
Financially, Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, Stephen Mortimer, presented the audited accounts, reporting a surplus of $60,000 for 2025, an improvement from a break-even position in 2024. The result reflects increased investment from the Australian Sports Commission and revenue generated through major events, including the Asia Pacific Championship.
Key financial and operational improvements during the year included the engagement of new auditors, enhanced financial disclosures, a transition to Commonwealth Bank, the development of corporate recharge processes, and the implementation of new systems to reduce risk.
Lacrosse Australia Chair and Director, Abbie Burgess-Brice, said the outcomes of the AGM reflect a sport that is building with intent and clarity.
“This is a defining period for lacrosse in Australia. We have moved into a phase of greater stability, with stronger governance, clearer alignment across our national system and a disciplined approach to how we grow,” she said.
“Our priority now is to convert that momentum into participation. That means strengthening the connection between programs, clubs and communities, delivering a more consistent national product, and ensuring lacrosse is a compelling choice in a competitive sporting market.”
“With the LA 2028 Olympic Games on the horizon, we have a genuine opportunity to expand our reach, grow our fan base and build a sustainable future for the sport. The focus is on execution and bringing our community with us as we take the next step forward.”
The 2026 Annual Report reflects a coordinated national approach across participation, performance and capability. With clear priorities and growing momentum, Lacrosse Australia is well positioned to capitalise on emerging opportunities and continue building a stronger, more connected future for the sport.