I am the Community Development Manager at Basketball Victoria, where I work alongside associations to build stronger, more sustainable sporting communities. With almost 20 years working in the sports industry and a few more in other industries, I bring a wealth of experience, a calm head, and a love for helping others succeed. I have worn just about every hat in community sport: volunteer, coach, referee, and proud mum of three sport-mad kids. I've spent years on the sidelines, in boardrooms, and everywhere in between always focused on making sport better for the people in it. Lately, I've added Ai to my toolkit — not as a buzzword, but as a practical, everyday helper. From writing and reviewing documents to organising projects and communicating clearly, Ai’s become one of my go-to assistants. I'm passionate about showing others how it can support the work we’re already doing not replace it, just make it a little easier.

Alison Lyons is the Chief Executive Officer of Hockey Queensland and a senior leader in the Australian sport sector. She brings over 15 years' experience driving strategy, shaping culture and advocating for sport at the state and national level. Known for her practical leadership style and collaborative approach, Alison is also an early adopter of technology and is energised by the opportunities AI presents to improve decision-making, relieve capacity and resourcing pressures across sport.