President
Ian Phipps (B.Bus, GradDipCSP, CPA, ACIS, AGIA, AIMM)
Ian brings a wealth of broad experience to the Board gained from 23 years in senior management roles in listed / non-listed public and privately held corporations operating in local, national and international arenas and from multiple industry sectors.
Ian currently holds multiple Directorships held with companies focused on land syndication and is currently the Managing Partner of the Retraite Partnership. Ian has a Bachelor of Business, a Graduate Diploma in Company Secretarial Practice, and is an associate member of the Certified Practising Accountants of Australia, Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, Governance Institute of Australia and the Australian Institute of Management.
An avid volleyball player since his early 20’s and strong contributor at club level for many years, Ian still competes in the West Australia’s Volleyball League and World Masters events and is passionately focused towards using his business acumen to assist the extremely dedicated volleyball WA staff team to continue to strategically advance the great sport of Volleyball in WA
ELECTED DIRECTORS
Yuhan Richards
Yuhan Richards became a member of the VWA Board in May 2024, bringing with her more than a decade of experience as a strategic finance professional. Holding a Masters of Accounting from Curtin University, she currently serves as the Group Finance Manager and Senior Executive Member at Australian Inclusion Group.
MITCHELL COLLINS
With over two decades of involvement in the Volleyball WA community, Mitchell brings a deep passion, knowledge and lived experience to the Board. First becoming involved in Volleyball as a grassroots player in High School transitioning into coaching across all levels of volleyball pathway. Mitchell has built a strong foundation in sport through his involvement as a former Club President, member of various VWA Committees (10 years) and former director of VWA.
Professionally, Mitchell has spent the last 15 years working within the Australian sporting industry, holding a range of leadership roles that have helped shape the delivery and development of sport at both state and national levels. Currently serving as the General Manager – Operations at one of Australia’s largest Olympic sport programs, they oversee key areas including governance, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, sport development, and risk management.
A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ Foundations of Governance for Sport course, Mitchell brings a strong understanding of best practice governance principles to the board.
MicHelle Hort
Michelle Hort joined the board in May 2022. She is a marketing professional with extensive experience, who has been responsible for maintaining the “public face” of various organisations including Gymnastics WA. With a unique set of skills in services and digital marketing, business development, event management and stakeholder engagement she is looking forward to contributing to the sports growth.
DARREN BELTMAN
Darren started playing volleyball at high school when scoring was still side out scoring rather than rally point, and before the introduction of the libero position. He has been involved as a player and coach, with a focus on coaching state junior teams in recent years.
Darren has an extensive background in community recreation, managing recreation and other community facilities in various parts of Australia for around 15 years. In recent years, he has been working in local government with a focus on corporate planning and strategy. His favourite work experience was living and working on Christmas Island for 9 months to open the Christmas Island Recreation Centre.
As a board member, Darren hopes to support the organisation to increase opportunities for people to play volleyball, particularly at an early age; support the many volunteers in the volleyball community; and advocate for volleyball with the various levels of government.
Appointed DIRECTORS
Ruth Gibbons
Ruth joins the board with an extensive background in education, management, strategy, change and community development. As a Consultant that has acquired over 20 years’ experience in the sport and recreation industry, Ruth brings a rich history of skills and knowledge to draw upon and will be a welcome contributor to board discussions.
VOLLEYBALL WA CEO
Sophie Row