Three appointments made to Venues NSW board

November 10, 2024

The NSW Government has announced the reappointment of veteran sports administrator John Quayle along with new members Ian Roberts and Yvonne Sampson to the board of Venues NSW.

The appointments, endorsed by the NSW Cabinet, will see the new board members replace Gregory Pearce and Maria Scott when their tenure expires on 14th November.

Quayle is a former professional rugby league player from the 1960s and 1970s who assumed roles as the General Manager and then Chief Executive of the NSWRL and Australian Rugby League from 1983 to 1996.

Following his departure from the code, Quayle became the Venues Manager for the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 and was Venues NSW Chair from 2012 to 2017.

Roberts is an actor, social justice advocate and former NRL star.

As an athlete, he played 213 games in the NRL and represented both NSW and Australia.

He was the first high-profile Australian sports person to be openly gay and has continued to be a leading advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community in many roles including as Director at QTOPIA Museum in Darlinghurst.

A sports broadcaster for more than 20 years, Sampson has served on multiple boards including Harness Racing NSW and The Ricky Stuart Foundation.

Announcing the appointments, NSW Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper stated “Venues NSW is entering an exciting period.

"Having successfully lifted the concert cap and incorporated CommBank and Accor Stadium into operations, we must now focus getting maximum utilisation out of our venues network.

“I look forward to working with the entire board and Venues NSW team on how we can boost our sporting and entertainment offerings.”

Image: Venues NSW manages the state's leading venues including the Sydney Cricket Ground and Allianz Stadium.

30th January 2024 - New appointees endorsed for Venues NSW Board

17th January 2024 - NSW Government announces raising of concert cap for Sydney’s Allianz Stadium and SCG

11th November 2023 - Venues NSW explains change of management arrangements at Sydney’s Accor and CommBank Stadiums

9th November 2023 - Venues NSW announces Gema Group as new catering contractor at Sydney’s Accor and CommBank Stadium

26th October 2023 - American Express and Venues NSW partnership sees launch of new hospitality options at Allianz Stadium

15th August 2023 - David Gallop named new Venues NSW Chair after Morris Iemma steps down

20th July 2023 - Former Premier Morris Iemma named Chair of Venues NSW

11th May 2023 - Former Venues NSW Chair Tony Shepherd named new head at Sydney’s Moore Park Entertainment Quarter

13th February 2023 - Venues NSW Chair Tony Shepherd steps down

29th August 2022 - Venues NSW partnership with Rizer delivers memorable opening ceremony at Allianz Stadium

8th July 2022 - Venues NSW seeks approval for concerts at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium

19th November 2021 - Merivale to deliver hospitality services for SCG and new Sydney Football Stadium

27th August 2021 - NEC agrees 10-year display network link with Venues NSW

8th January 2021 - Venues NSW tells Sydney fans not to attend tonight’s A-League and W-League games in Newcastle

17th November 2020 - Appointments announced for Venues NSW Board

23rd June 2020 - NSW Government announces merger of SCG Trust and Venues NSW

31st January 2020 - Paul Doorn leaves Venues NSW for Chief Executive role at NSW Rugby Union

29th April 2018 - Venues NSW Chair issued warning over viability of Sydney stadium redevelopments

31st August 2017 - Venues NSW seeks operator for new Western Sydney Stadium

8th May 2017 - New Venues NSW board announced to oversee major venues

6th December 2012 - John Quayle congratulates Newcastle Entertainment Centre, chases Hunter Stadium debt

2nd March 2012 - Minister launches Venues NSW board

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.