Director of Athletics ACT

Steve Dodt was appointed by the Board of Athletics ACT in 2019 to join as a fellow Director. As Canberra’s longest serving Sprint, Hurdles and Relay Coach, Steve brings an enormous amount of knowledge about the sport and the needs of its members, particularly athletes and coaches. Steve is also a former President of Ginninderra Athletics Club, having served in the role twice, for a total six years. Steve is the preeminent expert in the ACT of merging and transitioning Little Athletes (and their Centres) to Senior Athletics. In 1996-97 season, Steve was also appointed to the Board of Athletics ACT as its Athlete’s Representative. In the 2016-17 Season, Steve was also a member of the AACT Selection Committee.

“The last 14 years of my life working closely with the families, the coaches, the officials, volunteers, sponsors, government, suppliers and athletes of UC Ginninderra Athletics Club has given me much joy and inspiration. The infrastructure investments of $200k, the participation growth across all ages, the innovations to programming and delivery, the positive culture, the development of the brand, the inclusiveness and the family “club” feel are among the many highlights. 

I truly believe the lessons, quick wins and innovative thinking that has driven Ginninderra to its reincarnation as one of the Association’s big clubs can be shared and potentially embraced by those progressive clubs looking towards the future and not the past. Our success will be judged by our ability to build bridges and not by the speed in which we look to tear them down. The next twelve months requires us all to work together in collaboration. 

Moving towards a One Athletics model is of strategic importance but no more so than recognising that we should be taking an Athlete First approach to everything we do. Our sport has many faces and recognising the importance of participation by all across the full spectrum of athletics requires a paradigm shift by Athletics ACT. 

I believe I am in a unique position as a masters athlete, a coach and an administrator to help drive the critical thinking and tackling the important issues with fresh eyes and new ideas. The challenges we face are not unique to athletics or the ACT and there is a pathway for us to follow with the right leadership by a well rounded Board with the support of equally strong clubs both big and small. 

Thank you for your ongoing support and I hope you will join me in building a better brand of athletics for the future. I can assure you that my desire and passion for being a leader of our sport has only grown as a result of this decision”.

Steve Dodt – 12 June 2019