Get Expert Guidance For Your Club for only $79. Find Out More

Home 5 Our People

Our People

STEVE PALLAS | Founder & Managing Director

Steve Pallas is the founder and Managing Director of Sports Community. Sports Community encompasses a multi-media online support platform for grassroots sports club volunteers, as well as consulting services for government and peak sporting bodies including the likes Cricket Australia, Netball Victoria, ACT and NT governments and over 80 councils all around Australia.

Previously a successful financial services executive and CEO of the Mornington Peninsula Football Netball League, Steve’s passion for grassroots sport and his accumulated knowledge from working with all stakeholders in grassroots sport, since Sports Community’s incorporation in 2012, now places him as an expert in the field. He is in demand as a speaker, a research partner and as a trusted resource for the volunteers and stakeholders that drive Australia’s sports clubs.

stevep@sportscommunity.com.au
(03) 5973 6404
0431 779 797

SHONA PALLAS | Co-Founder & Business Manager

Shona is the co-founder of Sports Community, sharing husband Steve’s vision and passion for developing Australia’s best online and in-person resource for sports club volunteers.

Holding a Bachelor of Applied Science in Sports Coaching and Administration, Shona has more than 20 years’ experience in the grassroots sports scene, including three years as the president of a swimming club, and has been a regular guest speaker at international swimming conferences.

spallas1@sportscommunity.com.au

ASHLEA MCKINNON | Community Partnership Manager

Ashlea McKinnon embarked on her journey with Sports Community in November 2020, initially making significant contributions to the VicSwim Summer Kidz Program. As her role evolved, Ashlea transitioned seamlessly into the position of Community Partnership Manager. In this capacity, she became the driving force behind establishing and nurturing relationships with councils and peak sporting bodies. Her mission was to elevate the Sports Community brand and uncover opportunities to empower and support volunteers within community sports clubs. Building and maintaining these invaluable relationships remains a cornerstone of her role.

Ashlea also plays a pivotal role in the realm of sports delivery taking charge of scouting and coordinating coaches for Woolworths Cricket Blast programs. Outside of work, she’s a busy mother of two with a passion for family travel and a Blue Heeler named Boof.

ashlea@sportscommunity.com.au

JENNIFER SUZSTER | Sports Consultant

Jennifer has worked in Sports Administration for the past 15 years and prior to that worked as an HR manager for a large, aged care facility. Her interest in sports management has grown from being an elite lightweight rower to now being a sports administrator and mentor. This experience from multiple viewpoints within the sports industry has built her skills across the important elements of sport management pathways, inclusive of club, coach, officials, athlete’s development, and school pathways. In addition to this experience are her tertiary qualifications relevant to sport operations with a Bachelor of Business (Sports Management) along with postgraduate study with a Masters of Social Science (Policy and Human Services) focusing on the development of social capital at sporting clubs. She has also completed a Graduate Certificate in Human Resource, which highlighted the importance of understanding the workforce and how to support them appropriately. Furthermore she completed a Graduate Certificate in Athlete Mentoring which provided practical skill development to mentor and guide athletes to success in all aspects of life. These courses have collectively ensured a comprehensive understanding of sports management

You will often find Jennifer out riding her bike on the weekends with her friends and enjoying family time with her two young daughters.

jszuster@sportscommunity.com.au

Simon Mitchell | General Manager

General Manager Simon Mitchell brings a wealth of experience to Sports Community. An exceptional coach and administrator, Simon was the inaugural Head Coach of NBL franchise, the South East Melbourne Pheonix, where he lead the side to two finals campaigns in his four years in charge. As the inaugural coach, Simon wore many hats, and is excited to bring the same commitment and energy to the Sports Community team.

Outside the office, Simon is a passionate advocate for junior and pathway sports, and spends most weekends supporting his kids as they participate in junior sports.

s.mitchell@sportscommunity.com.au

Sasky Stewart | Digital Brand Manager

Sasky Stewart is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in various facets of marketing, digital strategy, and communications.

In her role across Sports Community and the Belgravia Group, Sasky ensures Sports Community stays up to date with the latest sports marketing and actively connects Sports Community with resources from the Belgravia Group.

Sasky’s background includes a role as a Senior Digital Strategist, where she led integrated digital strategy development for prominent clients like TD Bank, Toronto Blue Jays, and Vancouver Canucks. Her expertise extends to brand strategy, social media, content strategy, and influencer marketing. She has also held positions in digital marketing and communications at a range of employers across the USA and Canada and has experience in the Australian sporting industry with organisations including Football Federation Australia, Melbourne Victory W-League and the Australian Ice Hockey League. With a strong track record in strategic planning and project management, Sasky Stewart brings valuable insights and leadership to her roles in the digital marketing and communications field.

sastewart@belgraviagroup.com.au

TREVOR PRIEST | Website and Digital Administrator 

Trevor is the Website and Digital Administrator at Sports Community, and assists with the development and implication of our online communications strategy.

Trevor joins the team with a broad skill set and a passion for community sport. After Studying Sports Media and Sports Business with Holmesglen Institute he has been involved with social media and content production campaigns for state sporting organisations.

Trevor has a keen interest in grassroots sport, and experience in a variety of different coaching settings, primarily the delivery of tennis programs.

tpriest1@sportscommunity.com.au

MICHAEL KING | Sports Consultant and Presenter 

Michael has been involved in management and consulting in the sport, community services and business industries for 16+ years. Having held senior leadership roles across local and federal government and the NFP sectors, Michael’s expertise and passion comes from building the capacity of organisations and staff by understanding gaps and considering the needs and tools needed to ensure heavily developed, planned, specific, engaging and realistic outcomes are delivered to clients.

Michael is a reputable presenter who oversees partnership and content development workshops that he specifically designs and delivers to meet agreed program outputs. He leads and supports facilitation and workshop development, training and support.

Michael has a very strong knowledge base around local sporting environments with a focus on culture, leadership and strategic planning.

Mking5@sportscommunity.com.au

JOSH STOW | Sports Delivery Coordinator

Josh Stow is a passionate sports administrator and a dedicated multi-sport coach.

In his role as part of our sports delivery team, Josh works closely with schools, clubs and coaches, to ensure the programs Sports Community manages including Sporting Schools are well staffed and operate smoothly.

Josh’s tireless efforts to recruit and support coaches and teachers have contributed to the growth of VICSWIM, Cricket Australia’s multicultural program and Bowls Australia’s Rookie Rollers Program.

Josh studied a Bachelor of Sports Business with Holmesglen Institute and has a background in coaching and grassroots sport.

JStow@belgravialeisure.com.au