Bond University has appointed Fiona de Jong as its new Director of Sport.
The Australian Olympic Committee’s former CEO, who is a proud Bond alumna, has served as an ambassador for athletes, organisations and Australia on the global sporting stage for more than two decades.
Ms de Jong currently leads the Australian Institute of Sport’s European Training Centre in Italy and will return to Australia early in the new year to take on the role.
“Few roles could be as fulfilling as working for the university that first opened the doors of possibility for me, helping the next generation of young people and shaping the next era of Bond Sport,” Ms de Jong says.
“In my student days at Bond, I fell in love with my sport of triathlon and the fantastic facilities played a part in me pursuing that path, with the flexibility offered allowing my dream of competing for Australia while studying.
“My early Bond experience taught me that a student can move seamlessly between academic achievement, representative sport, club leadership and lifelong networks.”
Ms de Jong, who began her career as a lawyer, says the past four years spent working overseas have highlighted the strengths of the Australian sporting system.
“Sport is part of our national identity and Brisbane 2032 provides a platform to amplify that again,” she says.
“Moreover, sport is part of Bond University’s culture, recruitment proposition, campus life and reputation.
“I will endeavour to make that opportunity tangible for every student, not only elite athletes.”
Bond University Vice Chancellor and President Professor Tim Brailsford says the depth and quality of the field of applicants for the Director of Sport role demonstrate how highly the university and its sports program are regarded.
“Fiona shone through in an amazingly strong field of applicants,” Professor Brailsford says.
“Her journey started as a student at Bond who has achieved so much success, including leadership roles in the Olympic movement, gaining global respect as an acclaimed sports administrator.”
During the 12 years working as the AOC’s Director of Sport and CEO, Ms de Jong delivered 10 Australian Olympic Teams, five Australian Youth Olympic Festivals and overall leadership of an iconic Australian sporting organisation.
She was formerly Head of Australia’s Nation Brand at the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), and for the past four years has led the AIS European operations, navigating the international sporting landscape through two European Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Ms de Jong replaces Michael Collins who has taken up the newly created role of Chief Rugby Officer with New Zealand Rugby.