Steve Hooker OAM Appointed Chair of Sport Australia Hall of Fame

The Sport Australia Hall of Fame (SAHOF) has announced a leadership transition, with long-serving chair John Bertrand AO stepping down after twenty-one years at the helm.

Olympic pole vault gold medallist Steve Hooker OAM has been appointed as his successor, effective immediately, following a multi-year tenure as deputy chair and board member. The high-profile succession marks a new era for the independent not-for-profit organisation, which has expanded its national influence, scholarship initiatives, and commercial footprint across four decades of Australian sporting history.

During his extraordinary twenty-one-year tenure, Bertrand transformed SAHOF from a heritage organisation into a powerhouse platform for sports administration, mentoring, and national recognition.

Under his guidance, the Scholarship & Mentoring Program expanded to support over 230 athletes across 56 sports, while overall membership grew from approximately 455 to over 600 members.

Simultaneously, Hooker, who made history as the first pole vaulter inducted into SAHOF in 2017 and joined the board in 2023, brings extensive corporate governance and high-performance experience to the role. Having previously served on the Australian Olympic Committee Board and led commercial enterprises, Hooker assumes leadership at a critical juncture for sports philanthropy and governance in Australia.

Reflecting on his departure and his successor’s readiness, outgoing chair, Bertrand, said: “After 21 years as Chair, I am now handing over the reins to Steve Hooker.”

“Steve, as Deputy Chair, has already been adding enormous value to the Hall of Fame.

“His enthusiasm, energy and can-do attitude is second to none, and Steve is going to do great.

“If there is one legacy I would like to leave, it is for the Sport Australia Hall of Fame to inspire the next generation of young Australians to achieve their potential in sport and in life,” Bertrand said. 

Expressing his vision for the organisation, Hooker, said: “It’s a great honour to take on the role of Chair of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.”

“It has been a privilege to serve on the Board for the past three years and to see firsthand the important role the Hall of Fame plays in celebrating Australia’s greatest sporting achievements, stories and people.

“It’s no small thing taking the helm after 21 years of leadership by John Bertrand.

“He’s been a powerhouse for the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and has set a benchmark that the board and I will strive to emulate.

“I’m excited to work with our Members, Board, team and partners to build on the organisation’s proud history and help shape its next chapter,” Hooker shared.

The handover also includes board renewals, with general member director Perry Crosswhite AM retiring after eight years of distinguished service.

SAHOF has appointed high-profile administrator Peter Montgomery AM and olympic swimming legend Petria Thomas OAM as new directors to ensure continuous governance excellence across elite sports administration.

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