Craig Phillips AM has been elected to the Executive Board of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).

Phillips appointment to the role of Regional Vice President for Oceania follows his tenure as a member of the CGF Sport Committee and will be managed alongside his role as Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) CEO.

“Commonwealth sport finds itself at a critical juncture and I am committed to working with the Executive Board and colleagues from across the globe as we strive to find a new host for 2026,” Phillips said.

“The 74 member associations of our movement have shared aspirations of success for the athletes of the Commonwealth and delivering them opportunities to compete must be at the heart of all that we do.”

The quadrennially held elections also saw the retirement of President of Dame Louise Martin MBE.

Martin as President oversaw the delivery of the Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, continuing her strong association with the Commonwealth sport movement having competed in swimming in 1962.

She was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Her Majesty, The Queen in the 2019 New Year Honours List.

Replacing Martin will be Chris Jenkins OBE as CGF President, alongside three new Vice-Presidents: Sandra Osborne (Barbados), Hugh Graham (Cook Islands), and Dr Donald Rukare (Uganda).

Phillips is joined as a Regional Vice President by Colonel Botsang Tshenyeho (Botswana, representing Africa), Judy Simons (Bermuda, representing the Americas), Chris Chan (Singapore, representing Asia), Ephraim Penn (British Virgin Islands, representing the Caribbean) and Helen Phillips (England, representing Europe).

“Dame Louise has capably led the CGF, and her tenure has established the foundations for future success and a movement that remains strong until well beyond its centenary in 2030,” Phillips added.

“There are challenges, sure, but together we can deliver an environment that further establishes the Commonwealth Games and its associated programs for many years to come.”

“The wealth of experience that Chris Jenkins brings to presidency is also critical. With a career in business and the world of sport spanning decades, Jenkins brings a wealth of experience to the role, and this has equipped him with a profound understanding of the Movement and its potential.

The newly appointed Executive Board will serve a four-year term and be responsible for leading the Commonwealth Sport Movement over the next four years, helping to shape the movement and the Games into the future.

For more information on the CGF General Assembly, including the confirmation of membership for Togo and Gabon, visit commonwealthsport.com.

The incoming CGF Executive Board is as follows:

President
Chris Jenkins OBE (Wales)

Vice Presidents
Hugh Graham (Cook Islands)
Sandra Osborne (Barbados)
Dr Donald Rukare (Uganda)

Regional Vice Presidents
Africa: Col. Botsang Tshenyego (Botswana)
Americas: Judy Simons (Bermuda)
Asia: Christopher Chan (Singapore)
Caribbean: Ephraim Penn (British Virgin Islands)
Europe: Helen Phillips (Wales)
Oceania: Craig Phillips AM (Australia)