The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has appointed former Swimming Australia president, Kieren Perkins, as its new CEO, replacing Rob Dalton who has served as the acting CEO of the organisation.

Perkins will begin the role in the first quarter of 2022 and will oversee high performance and participation sport in Australia in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

Announcing the appointment of Perkins, ASC chair, Josephine Sukkar, said: “The ASC is delighted to welcome someone of the calibre of Kieren Perkins to this important role leading Australian sport.”

“We are entering one of the most exciting decades in Australian sport and Kieren is the right person to lead the ASC on this journey.

“Kieren was selected from an outstanding field of candidates, and his appointment is as a result of his past experience, and the time he continues to re-invest back into Australian sport,” Sukkar said.

Image Credit: ASC

On his new role, Perkins said he was excited to lead Australian sport.

“I could not be more thrilled and honoured to be appointed to lead the ASC as Australian sport looks forward to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Perkins said.

“It’s the most amazing opportunity to help shape participation and elite sport for Australia.

“As an athlete and administrator, I have lived the importance of a symbiotic sport system that has strong grass roots participation, underpinned by volunteerism, helping uncover and develop the ambitious talent that will represent our country on the world’s biggest stages.

“My corporate experience gives me the business and relationship skills required to bring together the important stakeholders pivotal in ensuring sport flourishes.

“The decade leading to 2032 is a generational opportunity to build a lasting legacy for all sport, in an environment that allows everyone involved to safely live all of the positive life experiences sport can bring,” he said.

Perkins also has prior experience at the ASC as a commissioner from 2001-2007.

With his appointment, Perkins leaves Swimming Australia after serving as the organisation’s president since 2020.

Speaking on Perkins’ departure from Swimming Australia, Swimming Australia CEO, Eugenie Buckley, said: “This is a great opportunity for someone of Kieren’s professionalism, both within sport and the corporate world, to lead the Australian Sports Commission and we know he’ll be a great asset and support for Olympic and Paralympic sports in this country.”

“Personally I would like to thank him for his leadership over the past few months, especially as we have worked through our strategic vision for the sport to 2032,” Buckley said.