Ian Richardson
Managing Director & Company Secretary
Ian’s extensive experience and list of significant accomplishments is only surpassed by his dedication and great passion in life, to assist community sport and recreation groups achieve the necessary goals and to be a positive influence within the community.
Ian holds qualifications in Commerce and Education and for the majority of his working life held the position of Regional Director with the NSW Department of Sport & Recreation, where he was able to bring together politicians from all levels of Government to develop a strategic funding plan for the development of Regional Sport & Recreation facilities for the Illawarra region. These projects required a high level of coordination to gain the sufficient levels of government funding to develop major projects which include, among many other projects the:
- Beaton Park Athletic Centre
- Illawarra Hockey Centre
- Illawarra Sports Stadium
- Dalton Park Regional Sports Centre for Cricket to complement AFL
- Croome Road Regional Sporting Complex
Ian also managed the development of Shellharbour Community Transport, taking it to become a major provider of community transport in the Illawarra.
In 1966 Ian was a delegate with the NSW Royal Life Saving Society and has continued contributing to the community by achieving numerous accomplishments and holding many volunteer sporting and recreational positions including:
- Founding Director of Illawarra Academy of Sport (first regional sports academy in Australia)
- Founding Director of the Illawarra Sports Stadium (Director for over 28 years)
- Played a leading role in the establishment of the first Men’s Shed in the Illawarra Director of the Illawarra Sports Medicine Clinic
- Life Member of the Illawarra Basketball Association
- Director of the Illawarra Hawks Basketball
- Basketball Club President (Nareena Hills/Figtree/West League clubs)
Ian considers the work he has done in the Illawarra to be most rewarding and as the Managing Director/Company Secretary/Life member of the Illawarra Sports Stadium, Ian is playing a vital coordination and facilitation role in developing additional courts and associated facilities, including a facility with seating for 2,100 spectators and a gymnasium to cater for the needs of the Illawarra Community.