Executive Officer

Dani brings experience in business, leadership, health and fitness and a love of all things sport.
Dani grew up in Mandurah, playing both hockey and basketball at a state level. She moved to Denmark seven years ago and has since made her mark on sport and recreation in the region. In recent years Dani has worked as a Personal Trainer, Strength & Conditioning coach and Pilates Teacher. Prior to her work in health and fitness, Dani completed a Graduate Diploma in Management and has 10 years experience in business, management, administration and events.
After working 1-on-1 with local surfing sensation Isi Campbell and running S&C programs with DSHS's basketball program, Dani found a passion for working with junior athletes and loves helping them reach their full potential.

Board Members

  • Peter Watson

    CHAIRPERSON

    Peter encompasses a life-long commitment to sport. He has represented Australia at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games and holds coaching accreditation in the sports of Basketball, Cricket and AFL. Peter also boasts a distinguished political career, representing the electorate of Albany in state parliament for over 20 years culminating in being appointed as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly in 2017. Peter retired in 2021 but is still passionately engaged in sports advocacy.

  • Tom Moir

    VICE CHAIR

    Tom brings to the board a wealth of sporting passion and governance. He holds qualifications in sports management and has sat on numerous Great Southern boards including Royals Football Club, Manypeaks Cricket Club and previously served as Regional Football Manager for WAFC. Tom currently serves as Independent Chair of Great Southern Griffins and works professionally as the Office Manager at Wellington & Reeves. Tom is a passionate supporter of AFL, Cricket and Golf and cites Ricky Ponting, Ben Cousins and Tiger Woods as some of his favourite sportspeople.

  • Michelle Salisbury

    TREASURER

    Michelle brings financial expertise along with an elite sports background to the Academy. Michelle is a Level 1 Cross-fit coach and competes at the Australasia Master League Games. As a swimmer, Michelle competed for national titles and was coached by Lisa Curry at the AIS and trained with many Olympic and Commonwealth Games athletes. Michelle has a Bachelor of Accounting, a CPA and is Senior Manager at Lincoln Accountants.

  • Simon Barras

    SECRETARY

    Simon has a diverse and exemplary career in regional sports development with positions including Coaching Effectiveness Coordinator at the MidWest Academy of Sport, Program Coordinator at Outdoors Great Southern and Recreation Business Services Coordinator at the City of Albany. Simon also has a degree in sports science, level 3 cricket coaching qualifications and extensive coaching experience including WACA development squads.

  • Kathryn Slattery

    Kathryn understands the journey of an elite regional athlete. Born and raised in South Stirling, Kathryn rose through the hockey ranks to represent Australia at the Oceania Cup in 2017 and Rio Olympic Games in 2016. She played 91 games for Australia, scored 37 goals and following her international career, played professionally in Belgium.

  • Susette Evans

    Susette is a passionate supporter of youth engagement, inclusivity and equality both in sport and in life. As an enthusiastic keelboat sailor and as a Hansa Class state representative, you will regularly find Susette sailing in local, state and national regattas both as a sailor and para sailor. Susette held recent roles as Commodore and Chair of the Princess Royal Sailing Club and Interim Coordinator PRSC Sailability Albany.

  • Jeremy Sutherland

    Jeremy has been highly active in junior sporting programs as a coach or committee member since 2004 and a volunteer in community sport for over 30 years. He has AFL Level 2 coaching and AFL Level 1 Talent Identification accreditation and was the GS Storm 15’s coach from 2013 to 2016. Jeremy was the Great Southern Cricket Academy coach in 2022 and is a life member of Southern Districts Junior Football. Jeremy is a local business owner and a long standing professional in the local insurance industry.

  • Nicola Edwards

    Nicola is a local business owner and specialist in graphic design, website creation and marketing. She won the Leading with Innovation award at the 2024 WA Regional Business Awards and was state finalist in the 2023 Telstra Best of Business Awards. Nicola served on the Princess Royal Sailing Club board for 2 years and the GGSTA board for 5 years and was instrumental in the transition from GSSTA to the new academy (GSAS). Nicola’s athletic achievements include competing in the Berlin marathon and sailing around the world in 2015/16.

  • Mel Eastough

    Mel is the Regional Manager for the DLGSC Great Southern Office. Over many years, Mel has been involved in the governance of numerous associations including GSSTA, Albany Volleyball Association and several hockey clubs, participated in competitive hockey, volleyball, ballroom dancing and BMX, coached a number of volleyball and hockey teams and was a qualified State and District volleyball referee.

  • Jarrad Gardner

    Jarrad is currently the Acting CEO of the GSDC. Jarrad has extensive experience in state government, across the energy, water, housing, forestry and land development sectors. Jarrad formally worked in the Department of Treasury, with key involvement in the implementation of major government initiatives, policies and industry sector reforms. Returning to the Great Southern in 2020, Jarrad took on the Director Regional Development role for the GSDC.

GSAS Partners

  • Chris Dorman

    STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

    Chris has a Masters degree in Science Strength and Conditioning, Bachelor Science (Sports Science), and Graduate Diploma in Applied Sports and Exercise Nutrition.

    After working with Western Force (Rugby) and West Perth Football Club (AFL) during his studies, Chris was appointed to the Fremantle Dockers team where he worked under Ross Lyon. During his 5-year tenure at the Dockers, Chris was lucky enough to be a part of Fremantle's most successful season thus far, culminating in the 2013 Grand Final Appearance.

    Chris then changed football codes, switching to the National Rugby league (NRL) where he worked with Wests Tigers and 1-on-1 with some of the league's most prominent players at that time. The change in code ultimately led Chris to the South Sydney Rabbitohs (a career highlight for Chris), where he worked under one of Australia's most prolific coaches in Wayne Bennett.

    Chris now resides with his family in the Great Southern, and is using his knowledge and experience of physical preparation and sport performance to help evolve elite junior athletes in the region.

  • Felicity Willis

    SPORTS DIETITIAN

    Felicity has loved sport and competing since growing up as a nipper on the beaches in Perth. Rowing became her passion and she competed nationally and internationally winning a silver medal at under 23 level. She went on to combine her love of sport, competing, food and science by becoming a Sports Dietitian. One of her career highlights was working in the UK with the British Disability Swimming team in the lead up to London 2012. Felicity has completed her IOC Diploma in Sports Nutrition and her Sports Nutrition Course via Sports Dietitians Australia. She is passionate about all aspects of performance nutrition. 

    Felicity moved to the Great Southern in 2015 where she has worked clinically for the WA Country Health Service. Felicity now has her own young family and loves jumping in the surf boat in her spare time.