Meet the Nominees for the Collaroy Tennis Club Management Committee 2026-2027

JOHN HURST

Position Nominated: President

• I’m a relatively new Club member of 3 years and a keen tennis player, among other sports. Since joining Collaroy, I’ve found the Club to be very welcoming, filled with friendly people and driven by a dedicated, hardworking committee.

• I’ve happily participated in most of what the Club has to offer, from social and competitive tennis, coaching lessons with Evolve and attending the great community and social events organised by the Club.

• I was invited onto the current committee this year to fill a vacancy and shared pride in the recognition the Club continues to win from our sport’s governing bodies, as well as organisations like Sport NSW.

• With the position of President becoming vacant, I feel my experience in business and finance (see below) and roles with other not-for-profit organisations, would allow me to contribute significantly, should I be elected to fill this important role. I would take on the Presidency with a fresh outlook, building on the great achievements of the past while helping guide the club in its next phase of growth.

• I am confident I would have the ongoing assistance of past presidents and committee members, as well as the newly elected committee. I would aim to build on the great momentum delivered by past committees in recent years, with a strong focus on ensuring that all club members are enjoying their tennis and social events, and that they are well served by their committee.

• I have more than 20 years’ experience in business, finance and political commentary with The Australian Financial Review, including five years as Managing Editor. I’m a former European correspondent and Investment Editor of the AFR. I’ve held senior corporate communications and investor relation roles at ASX listed companies and co-founded my own company in May 2021 - a strategic communications firm providing corporate communication, investor relations and reputation management counsel to senior executives and Boards.

WIL JAUCO

Position Nominated: Vice-President

• I joined Collaroy Tennis Club in 2013, served as Club Captain for 10 years and am the current Club Vice-President. I have always been active in tennis, whether as a fan, player, Club Captain, tournament director, club president or advisor with several tennis organisations.

• I am honoured and proud to have contributed to and sometimes led, the many positive changes at the Club, which have led to widespread recognition within our sport and beyond, notably:

  • NSW Community Club of the Year – Sport NSW 2025 and 2026

  • Most Outstanding Club, Metro. – Tennis Australia 2022, Finalist 2021 and 2025

  • Most Outstanding Club, Metro. – Tennis NSW 2021, 2022 and 2025, Finalist 2024

• Through my work with Tennis and with my profession, I have strong experience in understanding the challenges involved with the inclusion of communities from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and those with various abilities and gender orientations.

• I am very passionate about community engagement and junior development in tennis. In my time on committee, I have increased the participation of our Junior members in Club Championships and other events and contributed to our major community events. I am looking forward to further assisting the Club in achieving its goals.

FIONA BEVAN

Position Nominated: Vice-President

• I’ve been a member of Collaroy Tennis Club for 35 years (since 1991) and was a continuous member of the management committee for 30 years, holding the positions of Club Captain and Vice-Captain, Secretary and general committee member.

• I was the inaugural recipient of the ‘Club Person of the Year’ award and in 2020, was voted in as a Life Member for service to the Club.

• I coached at the Club with previous coach, Peter Cullen (1991-1999) and represented the Club in both Sydney Badge and Tennis Northern Beaches (TNB) competitions until illness and injury curtailed my participation.

• I initiated and worked toward the Club gaining entry into Sydney Badge Tennis in 2008 and was Club delegate for Sydney Badge from 2008- 2023.

• I was the driving force behind the installation of our acrylic hardcourt (Court 4) to help develop our juniors and liaised with Tennis Australia to obtain a loan for installation of the court.

• I was appointed by Tennis NSW as a member of the Nominations Committee - which vetted, interviewed and selected candidates for eligibility to be appointed onto the Board of Tennis NSW. I administered Collaroy’s comp. teams for both Badge and TNB and successfully developed, managed and implemented an in-house singles competition for members in 2020.

• Professionally, I was a Primary school teacher for more than 30 years (now retired) and during this time acquired skills including creative and critical thinking, communication skills, adaptability, flexibility and leadership, including mentoring.

LEE STAPLETON

Position Nominated: Treasurer

• I’m an active member of Collaroy Tennis Club, playing both social and competition tennis, receiving coaching with Evolve and happily attending our many great social and community events.

• With over 30 years of experience supporting founders and building businesses across real estate, education, consulting and wellness, I bring structure and clarity to the operational side of any organisation.

• I've worked closely with senior leaders and entrepreneurs, built and later sold my own real estate agency, and supported the growth of a global wellness business from a small team into a community of more than 30,000 people, keeping systems and processes consistent throughout.

• My strength lies in seeing what's needed, organising what's messy and holding the detail so others can stay focused on the bigger picture. I take particular care with accuracy, accountability and doing things properly, which is exactly what the role of Treasurer calls for.

• I'd be glad to bring that experience, diligence and human-centred approach to the Collaroy management committee and to help keep our finances and operations running smoothly and transparently.

KATE BYRNE

Position Nominated: Secretary

• I’ve served as a committee member at Collaroy for 5 years and on the Executive as Club Secretary for the past 3 years. I also volunteer as Ladies Social Tennis Co-ordinator and First Aid Officer. As required for all committee members, I hold a current Working with Children Check (WWCC).

• During my working career I have held secretarial roles in several companies giving me the capabilities and experience to continue handling the role of Club Secretary at Collaroy.  I have been a Strata Committee Secretary for 9 years and was previously the Secretary of Elanora Park Tennis Club, (tenure completed June 2023).

• The future provides a unique opportunity for our Club as we have transitioned to automation around the secretarial role. For example, we can now deliver live updates of membership, receive automated payments and send automated receipts, deliver better communication to members and provide the faster processing of accounts. We have established a digital space for all committee members, ensuring enhanced communication and storage of documentation that can be leveraged by future committees. 

• During my time on Committee, I have enjoyed the friendliness and inclusiveness that our Club offers members and visitors. It has been a truly rewarding experience that I look forward to continuing.

LIONEL BIRD

Position Nominated: Club Captain

• I’ve enjoyed tennis throughout my life, since playing as a junior. More recently I’ve participated in the Sydney Badge competition over a number of years, including as a team captain at my previous club, Killara Lawn T.C. I love the social element of tennis too and the opportunity for participation at all levels and all ages.

• I’m strongly committed to diversity, equality and inclusion as well as community support. When moving to the northern beaches, I did my research on the best tennis club to join. Collaroy was the obvious choice.

• Professionally I specialise in Business Transformation. I’m an experienced leader, working in professional services firms. I have qualifications in engineering and IT, as well as postgraduate law and management qualifications. I’m a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and an Oxford scholar, with experience and qualifications in environmental sustainability.

DAMIAN GORMAN

Position Nominated: Committee Member

• I’m a long-time Committee Member and have been Club Treasurer for several years.

• I’m active in all areas of Club Life. A regular player at our organised social sessions, I also represent the Club in local competitions and the Sydney-wide Badge competition and attend and help organise the Club’s many social events.

• While standing down from the role of Treasurer when the new committee is elected, I am eager to continue to contribute to the Club as a general member of the committee. I am a Chartered Accountant and Member of AICD, with a professional background in Business and Finance.

• I have worked on several major projects for the Club in my time as a committee member, including the review and negotiation of our 10-year Lease, grant applications, financial management and oversight and investment activities. In my time as Treasurer, I have maintained the Club’s financial stability and in fact, improved it year on year.

CHI BUI

Position Nominated: Committee Member

• I'm a keen tennis enthusiast and an active Club member, playing mainly mid-week, enjoying coaching squads with Evolve and attending the many great community events organised by the Club. My young daughter is also coached by Evolve.

• Professionally, I work as a Senior Financial Accountant (CPA member), which has given me strong skills in budgeting, planning, and organisation.

• I'd love the opportunity to serve on the management committee and contribute to the growth and success of our wonderful tennis club, while helping create a great experience for all members. Thank you in anticipation of your support.

FRAN YOUNG

Position Nominated: Committee Member

• I enjoy playing tennis at Collaroy and I also like to surf. I was a Director on the Board of Surfing NSW for three years, responsible for driving sponsorship acquisition and ambassador campaigns.

• I’m a passionate and successful B2B marketing professional with a demonstrable proven track record of driving commercial growth through strategic and innovative B2B marketing management.

• I’ve worked across medical technology, pharmaceuticals and the energy technology sector and have achieved marketing and sales success internationally. This success stems from strategic and analytical skills, creative initiatives and a collaborative management style.

• I’m energised by high-performing, technical and sustainable environments in which my collaborative, commercial management style and marketing leadership skills excel.

JENNIFER STALEY

Position Nominated: Committee Member

• I have been a resident of Collaroy Basin for almost 20 years and a member of the tennis club for about 7 years.

• Initially driven by my son’s passion for tennis, it wasn’t long before I found my own love for the sport.  I enjoy playing social at the Club and also training with the Ladies squad.

• Outside of tennis I'm a keen runner and regular ‘gym goer’ and have recently been trying my hand at Pickleball. 

• As a mum of four I have served on many a school committee, organising school events and supporting community.  Over the years I have also taken on the surprisingly enjoyable challenge of building three family homes, a major undertaking but extremely satisfying process. 

• I look forward to bringing my practical, problem-solving skills and a willingness to contribute to the committee.

MARYANNE CLAY

Position Nominated: Committee Member

• I have been a member of Collaroy Tennis Club for a few years and have thoroughly enjoyed being part of such a welcoming and supportive club. Tennis has become an important part of my life, and I value the friendships and sense of belonging the Club provides.

• I am enthusiastic, approachable, organised and enjoy working as part of a team. With many years of experience as a primary school teacher and heading up many committees, I have developed strong communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills. I understand the importance of listening to different viewpoints, working collaboratively and helping create a positive and inclusive environment.

• Having watched my daughter’s journey as she became an Olympian, I also have a fair grasp of sports administration.

• I would appreciate your support and look forward to the opportunity to contribute to our Club’s future.