our
mission
Our mission is to empower a community of purpose-led athletes to contribute with impact to social causes and charities.
ABOUT US
Our origins
​
Athletes for Hope is a non-profit organisation that was founded in the United States in 2007 by Andre Agassi, Muhammad Ali, Warrick Dunn, Jeff Gordon, Mia Hamm, Tony Hawk, Andrea Jaeger, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Mario Lemieux, Alonzo Mourning, and Cal Ripken, Jr. As athletes who shared a deep commitment to giving back, these founders joined forces to create an organisation that brings athletes together, to educate, inspire, and empower them to channel their energy for a common goal: to make a difference in the world through sports philanthropy.
​
Athletes for Hope has grown from its original Founders to over 8,000 athletes across 25 sports and leagues, including the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB and the Olympic movement. These athletes take part in a “Causeway” program which provides education workshops and subsequently one-on-one guidance for each athlete through their personal philanthropic journey. Athletes for Hope is the largest sports philanthropic non-profit organisation in the United States.
​​
Athletes for Hope Australia is the first international chapter of Athletes for Hope and was founded in 2020 by Australian sports professionals Iain Roy and Laura Johnston.
_.png)
empowering athletes to create change
​
We align with the Athletes for Hope Causeway by offering “Discover” workshops to help athletes discover their personal passion and explore the value of community service. We support this workshop programming with skills training to develop essential personal and leadership skills essential to optimise each athlete’s engagement with community organisations. We also help connect athletes with community organisations that share their passion.
​
Athletes for Hope Australia relies on philanthropic funding to deliver its programs to sports, teams and athletes free of charge. A single investment in Athletes for Hope Australia can support dozens of community organisations and change the lives of hundreds of athletes.
Our team
Professional, Olympic and non-professional athletes have a tremendous opportunity to make a difference in their communities.
There's a lack of education about how to do that, so Athletes For Hope provides a structure for smart sport philanthropy to give an athlete the tools to maximise their impact.
Ivan Blumberg, CEO, Athletes For Hope (USA)
IAIN ROY
Co-Founder - Athletes For Hope Australia
IAIN ROY
Co-Founder AFHA | Sport Integrity & Sport Governance Leader
Iain is a leader in Australian sport who is passionate about making a difference through the power of sport.
Currently leading a collective of sports integrity and governance experts as CEO of SIGPA: Sports Integrity & Governance Partners, Iain works with dozens of National Sporting Organisations along with professional sport leagues and government sporting agencies. He is also an active Director of Women Sport Australia and an independent member of the Richmond Football Club Governance and Remuneration Committee.
An experienced lawyer, Iain worked with Cricket Australia (CA) for over 11 years, including as CA's founding Head of Integrity.
Iain sees the Athletes for Hope Australia program as an invaluable addition to Australian sport that will #givehope to Australian athletes, community organisations and the general public.
HIGHLIGHTS:
-
20+ years experience as a lawyer
-
Led the "sandpapergate" investigation of the Australian's Men's cricket team
LAURA JOHNSTON
Co-Founder - Athletes For Hope Australia
Laura Johnston
Co-Founder AFHA | People, Integrity & Culture Consultant for Sport
Laura is a respected people & culture and sport integrity expert in Australian sport.
A former lawyer, Laura transitioned to people, culture and facilitation roles in the professional services and corporate industries, before finding her passions - sport and developing people and organisations to be better and do great things.
​​
Laura spent four years at Swimming Australia as their GM Culture & Performance, also heading up Integrity with a focus on child safeguarding. She now runs her own consulting business to the sport industry in tandem with Athletes for Hope Australia
Athletes for Hope Australia brings together Laura's strengths in creating connection, development and positive change.
HIGHLIGHTS:
-
Laura is also the Founder of People, Integrity & Culture Consulting
-
Laura is a child safeguarding expert and trusted advisor
Shelley tilbrook
Marketing - Athletes For Hope Australia
Shelley tilbrook
Marketing Executive | Digital Strategist | Content Specialist
Shelley Tilbrook has over 20 years of executive marketing and commercial experience across a diverse portfolio of industries.
This includes managing her own marketing agency, fruitful group, Director Commercial and Head of Marketing & Engagement for Swimming Australia, Marketing Director for Exhibitions & Events Australia and Sponsorship Manager for Melbourne Racing Club.
With a passion and experience across the sports, events and health & wellness industries, she's experienced in profile building, brand development, commercial strategy, digital marketing, tech product development and content marketing with high performance athletes including the Australian Dolphins swim Team.
HIGHLIGHTS:
-
Instrumental in launching Australia Swims to connect the industry
-
iSwim app reached #1 Sports App on Apple store & ANZ Sport Tech Award winner
-
Manages consultancy, online school and coaching business
OUR VALUES
What we stand for
INTEGRITY
-
We are true to our values
-
We do as we say
-
We seek “Personal Bests” – always
CONNECTION
-
We inspire, support, empower and celebrate
-
We hear you
-
We nurture our relationships
IMPACT
-
We believe in the power of sport to influence our community
-
We encourage innovation
-
We change lives
