Having started his sporting career as a rowing coxswain aged 13, John Boultbee’s passion for sport has lead him to become one of Australia’s leading sports administrators. He was Secretary General of the International Rowing Federation (1989-95) and is currently Steward of the Henley Royal Regatta.

As Director of the Australian Institute of Sport during the successful Sydney Olympics, John  probably knows more about the politics and business of sport in this country than anyone else. He experienced the politics first hand when he was not reappointed to that role under controversial circumstances. Not one to suffer setbacks, he became the High Performance Director for the Football Federation of Australia.

John is currently the High Performance Director for Volleyball Australia, a judge of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, a director of Australia for UNHCR Limited and sits on numerous Boards. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1990. 

John chats to GT about his life as one of Australia’s leading sports administrators, including his time with the Matildas and his role at the AIS during Australia’s successful Sydney 2000 Olympics.