Athletics Australia (AA) has announced the appointment of three new directors to its board, including four-time Olympian, Steve Moneghetti, former Commonwealth Games medallist, Merrick Howes, and former AA board member, Ben Sellenger.

The appointments come immediately following the recent retirement of three directors from the board and amid a transformational period at the organisation.

The three new directors collectively bring the organisation a depth of experience across athletics and sports business, with Sellenger, a previous AA board member holding previous roles including PGA Tour of Australasia CEO, Bastion Collective global CEO, and currently serving as Align Sport & Media managing director.

Elsewhere, Howes, a former Commonwealth Games rower, currently serves as Aviron Investment Management founder and managing partner, previously working as Goldman Sachs JBWere managing director and Macquarie Bank managing director, as well as previously acting as a non-executive director at Rowing Australia for nine years.

Moneghetti, who previously competed at four Olympic Games, four Commonwealth Games, and six Athletics World Championships, was formerly the Victorian Institute of Sport chair, Australian Sports Commission board member, and is currently a Commonwealth Games Australia board member, serving as the Chef de Mission for the Commonwealth Games in its last three editions.

On the three new additions, Athletics Australia president, Jan Swinhoe, said each bring unique and important skill sets to the board at a crucial time.

“We are delighted to welcome new directors of such outstanding calibre to the Athletics Australia board,” Swinhoe said.

“They join a passionate board, all striving to improve the sport we love, together with AA’s committed staff and partners.

“We’re excited to welcome Olympian and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Steve Moneghetti back to the AA family, as well as Commonwealth Games silver medallist in rowing Merrick Howes, and Ben Sellenger, who returns to our Board after a three-year period.

“While Steve, Merrick and Ben all have a background in high performance sport, each of them bring diverse and fresh perspectives to athletics, leaning on their experience from their professional careers.

“We are confident that their skills will enable our sport to move forward as we deliver our new strategy.

“In searching for our three new board directors, Athletics Australia received more than 90 applications, highlighting the growing interest and enthusiasm for our sport.

“In going through the process, we wanted to make sure we could bring different perspectives to better our organisation.

“We recognise the importance of this in ensuring that athletics stays accessible to everyone and for the sport to reach its full potential

“The appointment of these directors will improve our ability to develop athletics at all levels and we’re excited to see what comes of our sport as we look ahead to the World Athletics Championships and the Commonwealth Games later this year as well as Paris, LA and Brisbane 2032 which are all on the horizon,” she said.