Our Board

Luke Connaughton

National Director / CEO

Luke is an experienced executive leader with an extensive background in church ministry and the not-for-profit sector. He is a strategic and relational leader, committed to developing people and cultivating healthy organisational culture.

He is a clear communicator, and brings a strong skill set in vision casting, organisational leadership, and pioneering new initiatives. Luke has studied both theology and sports & recreation, reflecting his diverse interests and integrative approach to transformational leadership.

Passionate about community wellbeing, and spiritual formation, Luke is dedicated to seeing real impact and lasting change through Sports Chaplaincy Australia.

A lifelong sports enthusiast, he enjoys watching most sports, with his first love being AFL & the Geelong Cats!!

Robert (Rob) Goudswaard

Chair

As a Board director, adviser, consultant and mentor, Rob has over four decades of experience in the banking and finance sector in Australia and internationally. He has spent 25 years in senior executive roles, including 9 years in CEO positions. He has also served on numerous boards in the government, mutual and not-for-profit sectors – including with ANZ, Orygen (youth mental health), CUA, and World Vision.

Rob’s areas of interest and expertise include purpose and culture, digital transformation and ethical leadership. He has lived, worked and study globally, and believes that this experience has helped to keep him focused on people, and to develop a deep understanding of the impact and importance of organisational culture.

Rob is a self-confessed cricket tragic, and will be found at the MCG on Boxing Day every year.

Stephen Edwards

Board Member

Stephen grew up in Blacktown (Western Sydney). Christian Faith and Sport have been always been central to his life. He is an ordained Anglican minister, and spent time in ministry working in Redfern and West Wollongong, where he discovered his passion for chaplaincy as Chaplain for the University of Wollongong and for the Illawarra Steelers Rugby League team. He continues to serve as chaplain of the St George Illawarra Dragons, marking over 30 years in a sports chaplaincy role.

Stephen has worked at The King’s School since 1999. For 17 years he was School Chaplain, before being appointed to his current role of Deputy Headmaster and Head of Senior School in 2017. He has a passion to build strong communities through warm relationships that both enable people to understand God and his magnificent creation, and to serve God and others.

Mihiri Wickramaratne (Paul)

Board Member

Mihiri is finance and risk professional with over 20 years of corporate and assurance experience and has worked across banking, insurance, superannuation and the wealth and asset management sector, including private equity and hedge funds in Bermuda. She is currently a Senior Manager in the Financial Services Office at EY Melbourne, and an experienced external and internal audit professional, with broad technical accounting, risk and governance and client service experience.

Mihiri is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (SL) and a Certified Public Accountant (AU).

A basketball enthusiast, with a passion for community wellbeing, Mihiri is committed to sharing her deep finance, risk and governance experience to see real change in the community.

Daniel Sanders

Board Member

Daniel brings broad experience in executive leadership and board director roles across church and not-for-profit organisations. He has served as the Senior Pastor of Central Church, Seymour, since July 2020, and has been the chaplain at Seymour Lions Football Netball Club since 2022.

His ministry journey began as the Victorian Director of Students for Christ and has included key leadership roles such as Associate Pastor at Imagine Church in Burwood (now Edge Church Melbourne) and Equip Church in Hoppers Crossing. Daniel also served as the Operations Manager at Alpha Australia and as the State Leader for ACC Community Engagement.

He is passionate about building community, developing leaders, and advancing God’s kingdom across all areas of society. A dedicated sports fan, Daniel especially enjoys following his beloved Hawthorn Football Club.

Yeesum Lo

Board Member

Yeesum is a global media specialist with governance experience, adept at combining creative strategy development with commercial execution of financially sustainable solutions. She has comprehensive experience in audience engagement, content commissioning and producing, digital rights & social media leadership, business affairs, and corporate strategy, and is currently Head of Development at Paramount Australia & New Zealand.

Along with qualifications in fine arts and film making, Yeesum recently completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors company director’s course. She brings a pragmatic and energetic perspective on diversity & equity, a future-focused mindset in digital and audience strategy, and a meticulous passion for governance to organisations.