Profile: Emma Highwood
Position: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Company: Hockey NSW
Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
LinkedIn Profile: [Emma Highwood - LinkedIn](https://au.linkedin.com/in/emma-highwood-808853138)
Followers: 2K
Connections: 500+
Professional Background
Emma Highwood is an experienced sports administrator with over 20 years in the field, working across both the UK and Australia. She has held significant leadership roles and has extensive experience in managing diverse and complex sports environments. Her expertise spans grassroots development, talent pathways, and women's sports.
Key Career Highlights
- Executive Lead: Managed Grassroots, Talent Pathway, and Women’s Football for seven years at Football Australia. During her tenure, women's football participation notably increased.
- Program Development: Introduced the ALDI MiniRoos for Girls program, growing participation from 170,000 to 230,000.
- Talent Pathway Transformation: Established Professional A-League Academies and revamped National Premier Leagues at Football Australia.
- Major Events and Commercial Success: Played a critical role in securing the FIFA Women’s World Cup for Australia and New Zealand in 2023, and established the Tournament of Nations, significantly increasing revenue.
- Digital Transformation: Led the rollout of the first digital registration system for grassroots sports (MyFootballClub) and undertook digital initiatives at both FFA and AFL.
- Collective Bargaining Agreement: Integral in achieving gender equality in pay and conditions in the Westfield W-League.
Recent Achievements at Hockey NSW
- Strategic Direction: Launched a new strategy focused on expanding participation in hockey, particularly emphasizing grassroots and regional development.
- Community Engagement: Regularly interacts and engages with the hockey community through travel and events, promoting the sport's inclusivity and growth potential.
- Operational Improvements: Decided to bring financial operations in-house to enhance efficiency and control.
Recent News and Updates
- Returning to the UK: Emma has announced her decision to return to the UK in January 2024 after 17 years in Australia to be closer to her family.
- Leadership Transition: Hockey NSW President, Adriana Care, acknowledged Emma’s impactful tenure and announced plans to search for her successor.
Education
- University: Northumbria University
Notable Projects and Initiatives
- Grassroots Growth: Emma's leadership has been pivotal in driving the growth of community sports, fostering a supportive environment for local clubs and junior hockey development.
- Digital Engagement: Emma has a strong background in enhancing digital engagement channels for sports organisations, making significant strides in modernising registration and communication platforms.
Contact Information
- Email: Available upon request through LinkedIn
- Phone: Available through Hockey NSW
Emma Highwood's extensive experience and strategic acumen have significantly contributed to the organizations she has led, making her a prominent figure in the field of sports administration. Her tenure at Hockey NSW has been marked by substantial community engagement, strategic initiatives, and operational improvements. Her eventual departure will mark the end of a significant chapter for Hockey NSW, as the organization prepares to continue building on the solid foundation she has established.
