Media Release
by the Australian Sports Commission



New Executive Director announced Nov 13, 2000

The Chairman of the Australian Sports Commission, Mr. Peter Bartels announced today that Mr. Mark Peters would be the new Executive Director of the Commission. Mr. Peters, 48, is currently Chief Executive Officer of Sport and Recreation Queensland.

“Mark brings a wealth of experience to the Commission in sports policy and the development of sport and recreational activity”, said Mr. Bartels.

“His experience also includes periods at senior sports management levels in three states, fitting him well to the national catalyst role of the ASC”, he said.

Mr. Bartels said Mr. Peters would steer the ASC during a period of change in the post-Olympic and Paralympic Games period.

“He will be advising the board of the Commission and the Government on how we need to take stock of the key success factors and build upon them as Australia moves into the next phase of sport development."

“The Australian Sports Commission is intent on making our national sporting organisations the centerpieces of post-2000 sport."

“Mark is also well placed to enhance the Commission’s emphasis on our Active Australia program, which not only promotes physical activity for all Australians: Active Australia is vital as well as a base for developing our high performance athletes”, he said.

“He will also be focusing more firmly on developing sport as an industry”, said Mr. Bartels.

Mr. Peters has a wide interest and experience in sport, having been a former South Australia League player, Australian and South Australian baseball player. He holds formal coaching qualifications and is President of the Australian Baseball Federation as well as being a member of the International Baseball Federation’s Technical Committee.

The ASC Chairman said his announcement was tinged with regret as it meant the formal end of Jim Ferguson’s more than ten years at the helm of the ASC.

“Jim’s contribution to the development of sport in Australia is immeasurable. The level of excellence now reached and the international standing of Australian sport is the best testament to Jim’s time at the ASC” he said.

Media Contact: Doug Holden 0407 498 774


Attachment Biography



Mark Anthony Peters


Current position: Chief Executive Office, Sport and Recreation Queensland

Education: Bachelor of Business; Graduate Diploma in Recreation Studies

Career:

December,1999 – present. Sport and Recreation Queensland. Chief Executive Officer. In charge of Queensland Academy of Sport, Stadium Redevelopment Group, Policy and Participation Division, Recreation Planning and Venue Development Division, Organisation Development Division, Olympic Soccer Taskforce and Indy 500 Secretariat.

September, 1998 – November, 1999. Queensland Department of Tourism, Sport and Racing. Deputy Director-General. Major responsibilities included: restructuring of the Sport and Recreation Division, review of liquor licensing requirements in terms of National Competition Policy and the role of Gaming Machine inspection function, privatisation of the Racing Industry, Olympic Task Force, Queensland Events Corporation Board Member.

July, 1997, August 1998. Tourism Queensland. Director, Planning and Development. Development of Queensland tourism policy; Inbound Tourism Operator Accreditation Review; establishment of tourism policy credibility across Government; Eco-Tourism Plan finalised; use of National Parks for recreation and eco-tourism review; establishment of Destination Development model for all Queensland regions.

April, 1990 – March, 1996. Deputy Director-General, Queensland Department of Tourism, Sport and Racing (later Tourism, Sport and Youth), then Chief Executive Officer, Office of Tourism (Department of Tourism, Small Business and Industry).

August, 1987 – September, 1990. Tasmania Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation. General Manager, Sport and Recreation Division.

May, 1984 – August, 1987. South Australia Department of Recreation, Sport and Racing. Manager, Recreation, Sport and Fitness Division.