With a background in business development and change management, John has a long-standing involvement with Water Polo and Sports Management. He holds a deep passion for Cronulla Sutherland Water Polo since being selected to tour New Zealand in 1969 by the then St George & Sutherland Shire Amateur Water Polo Club. 

As a sportsman, John excelled at Rugby League and Rugby Union but also enjoyed Water Polo and Surf Life Saving. Whilst he represented NSW Combined High Schools and the Sharks in Junior Rugby League and Sydney University, NSW Colts and Australian Universities in Rugby Union; he was a handy “Nulla” 3rd grade goalkeeper who was good enough to represent Combined Australian Universities in Water Polo in 1971 & 1972.

John claims to have played Water Polo for Australia B in Holland (Versus Scotland for a handsome win) but that might be “Gilding the Tulip” some!

In business, John has held senior executive roles in the telecommunications and electronic commerce sectors including Director of Strategy at Comindico; Managing Director of IPTel; General Manager NEIS Financial Service and General Manager Sales Operations CSA & Partner Sales at Telstra. In the 1980s, John was the principal of Sporting Gold; a sports management consulting business and acted as a member of the NSW Amateur Water Polo Association Board of Management. He has also fulfilled the duties of Executive Director for Queensland Water Polo and the NSW Gymnastics Association. John helped draft the constitution for the Australian Society of Sports Administrators and is a Charter Member. 

John attended Cronulla High School, Sydney University and the California State University Long Beach where he studied Recreation Administration for two (very enjoyable) years.