MELBOURNE, Victoria (Diya TV) — Indian-origin community leader and diversity advocate Molina Asthana has been elected to the Vicsport board, becoming one of three new directors chosen at the organization’s 2025 Annual General Meeting on Nov. 25. Asthana joins Matthew Duck, CEO of Athletics Victoria, and Melinda Jacobsen, a senior consultant at MosaicLab, who were also elected by Vicsport’s affiliate members during the AGM. Meanwhile, Ruth Holdaway MBE and Adam Crameri were re-elected for another term.
Molina Asthana is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in sport. She founded Multicultural Women in Sport, an initiative that encourages women from diverse backgrounds to participate in athletic programs. Asthana currently serves as Chair of Handball Victoria and Deputy Chair of Table Tennis Victoria. She has previously chaired Gymnastics Victoria and the AFL South East Regional Advisory Council.
Her work extends beyond leadership roles. Asthana holds ambassadorial positions with Cricket Australia, the AFL, the Commonwealth Games, and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. She is also a member of the Australian Sports Commission’s Play Well Leadership Group. Her legal career includes senior roles at the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office and major firms such as Clayton Utz and Minter Ellison.
Asthana said her wide-ranging experience has shown her “how sport can be used to address social issues such as family violence, discrimination and social cohesion,” especially for diverse communities.
Matthew Duck has led three sporting organizations over the past decade and has delivered significant financial and governance improvements since becoming CEO of Athletics Victoria in 2022. Duck said he looks forward to strengthening Vicsport’s role as a connector across different sports and building relationships among industry leaders.
Melinda Jacobsen brings 20 years of experience in governance, advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration. Her work has focused on gender equality, road safety, and women’s cycling. Jacobsen has held senior positions across start-ups, national organizations, and statutory authorities, making her a strong addition to the Vicsport board.
The newly elected directors join existing board members Jason Hellwig (Chair), Rochelle Eime (Deputy Chair), Rayoni Nelson OLY, Allana Sharman, and Andrew Skillern. Their combined experience aims to guide Vicsport, the peak body for sport and active recreation in Victoria, in supporting community programs and promoting inclusion across sports.
The AGM also marked the conclusion of board tenures for Louise Ayres, Ayden Shaw, and Fabio Serpiello. Vicsport publicly thanked them for their service and contributions to the organization’s growth over the years.
Vicsport operates as a non-governmental organization that champions sport and active recreation across Victoria. It plays a key role in supporting local clubs, promoting inclusion, and building opportunities for diverse communities to participate in sport. The election of Asthana, Duck, and Jacobsen reflects Vicsport’s commitment to strong governance, diverse representation, and leadership excellence in the sports sector.
