The board of Darts Australia bid a fond farewell to retiring Director Judy Taylor and welcomed three new Directors who were successfully appointed from a strong field of applications.
Retiring Director Judy has served on the board of Darts Australia for two decades in a variety of roles including managing the Darts Australia Webpage, National Coaching Director, Social Media Manager, High Performance Coordinator and many more. The Board of Darts Australia thanks Judy for her many years of dedication to the sport and sends best wishes to Judy and Husband Terry (both Life Members of D.A.). Darts Australia is excited to welcome three new Directors Dr Adrian Raftery, Mark Ramsdale and Tony Ashton who join with extensive sports knowledge and experience, and look forward to the impact that each new Director will bring to the board as it continues to move into the most exciting period in the sports history. A snapshot of their past experience is below:
Dr Adrian Raftery
Adrian is a Honorary Fellow of the Melbourne Business School & University of Melbourne, a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants Association of Australia and New Zealand and sole practitioner of Mr Taxman. From 2022 to 2025 Adrian was General Manager of AFL Masters, A current board member of Bears for Hope Pregnancy & Infant Loss, Consultant to Cricket Australia, Australian Rep AFL Masters v Ireland 2006/8 & 9, Captain and Man of the series in 2009, State Representative AFL Masters 2007-2023, NSWAFL Country Team Manager 2010, AFL Sydney Team Manager 2009-2013, played in the EJ Whitten All- Stars match 2009 and a host of other sporting achievements, Adrian also brings a proven track record in Competitive grants and Government Partnerships and is regularly quoted in newspapers and magazines on a range of business topics as well as TV and Radio appearances on Sky Business, Channel Nine and ABC Radio.
Mark Ramsdale
Mark has a wealth of experience as a senior sports administrator including working with national and international sports governing bodies, clubs and stakeholders that compliments his academic achievements. As General Manager of Central Coast Basketball Mark developed a multi-year commercial model, created new income for growth, negotiated multi-year stadium naming rights, secured substantial federal/state funding, devised junior and senior strategies and achieved Olympic training Centre accreditation. The founder and Managing Director of Three Lines Sport Ltd (2008-24) Mark delivered successful advocacy campaigns securing substantial savings in the golf industry, UK government recognition for snooker as a sport, overturned the BBC plans to reduce sporting coverage on local radio and overturning the loss of Rugby League World Cup Funding. Mark designed and executed a number of televised sports events. The holder of three masters degrees and a diploma in public relations and an Honorary Secretary/Executive Officer to the UK Parliament’s All-Party Group for Darts Mark worked with the UK National Bodies for Darts as well as the PDC, commercial, media and government stakeholders.
Tony Ashton
Tony is a results-driven program leader with over 20 years experience designing, leading participation programs across schools and community sport at State and National Levels. Currently the National Program Manager for MiniRoos Football Australia Tony leads the national delivery and growth of Football Australia’s participation products and schools engagements with a focus on program innovation, gender equity, workforce capability and data-driven performance management. Previous roles include Project Manager for Perth Africans Sports Association, Program Lead Football West - Participation Growth Specialist — Cricket Australia and regional coordinator — Australian Sports Commission. With high-level knowledge and experience in participation, program development and delivery, stakeholder engagement, workforce development & training, program governance & alignment and extensive sport-focussed education that includes a Graduate Certificate in Sports Administration, Tony is an excellent addition to the Board.