Ben Wordsworth Appointed CEO of Snow Australia

Snow Australia has announced the appointment of Ben Wordsworth as its new CEO, effective 24 April 2026.

Wordsworth, currently the organisation’s general manager of sport, will succeed Michael Kennedy, who steps down after a historic 23-year tenure, the longest of any National Sporting Organisation CEO in Australian history.

A Legacy of High Performance and Infrastructure

Noting how Wordsworth’s appointment reflects the board’s confidence in internal talent following a thorough global search, Snow Australia president, Daniel Bosco, said: “Ben’s blend of high-performance expertise, governance experience, and genuine passion for snow sports positions him perfectly to lead Snow Australia into an exciting new era.” 

Acknowledging the strong foundation laid by his predecessor, Incoming CEO, Ben Wordsworth, added: “I’d like to thank Michael Kennedy, who has been a big part of transitioning and preparing me for this role.”

“To our snowsports community, it is a great privilege to lead Snow Australia through this next era, and I look forward to staying connected with the grassroots and heart of our sport,” Wordsworth said.

The leadership transition follows a highly successful Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games for Australia.

Wordsworth brings nearly 30 years of expertise in elite snow sports administration, international governance, and high-performance coaching. Prior to his eight-year stint in senior leadership at Snow Australia, he served as a national head coach at the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA) for over 16 years, where he was instrumental in designing four-year strategic Olympic cycles.

Strategic Priorities for the Post-2026 Era

As Snow Australia moves beyond the Milano-Cortina cycle, Wordsworth’s mandate will include:

• Pathway Continuity: Leveraging his experience as GM of Sport to further refine the performance pathways that have delivered sustained podium success.
• Infrastructure Utilisation: Maximising the impact of the National Snowsports Training Centre (NSTC) in Jindabyne, a key pillar of Kennedy’s legacy.
• Participation Growth: Expanding the sport’s footprint at the grassroots level to ensure long-term commercial and athletic sustainability.

Kennedy leaves the organisation as a transformative figure, having unified the sport under a single national body and built a world-class high-performance system. He will work closely with Wordsworth throughout April to ensure a seamless handover, leaving the national body in its strongest financial and competitive position to date.

Don’t miss out on the latest in sports business – Subscribe today to the free Ministry of Sport newsletter and stay ahead of the game. For even more exclusive insights, event tickets, professional development and networking events, become a MoS Member today!.