NSW CEO Luke Madden to join Surfing Australia as Chief of Sport

Surfing Australia is excited to announce that Surfing NSW CEO Luke Madden is joining the organisation in the newly created role of Chief of Sport.

Surfing Australia CEO, Chris Mater said: “We couldn’t be more excited for Luke Madden to join our team as the new Chief of Sport for Events, Participation and Community at Surfing Australia. A passionate surfer with a stellar track record of success and deep expertise in his field, Luke embodies the spirit of Surfing in Australia.

“His knowledge of surf events is intimate and comprehensive. This, coupled with his understanding of boardrider clubs and surf schools, provides a foundation for a holistic approach to his role. Luke’s insights are not limited to theoretical knowledge; they come from his personal love for the sport and a profound understanding of the surfing community.

“As an entrepreneur and commercial thinker, Luke brings a fresh and innovative perspective to our team. His mindset, which merges the love for the sport with a strategic vision, will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and success of Surfing Australia.

“Moreover, Luke’s previous experience as the CEO of Surfing NSW has equipped him with the leadership skills necessary to guide our team effectively. His managerial acumen and ability to drive a strategic vision while understanding the importance of community engagement make him an exceptional asset to our team.

“We extend our warmest welcome to Luke Madden. His addition to our team marks a new chapter in Surfing Australia’s journey, and we’re confident his contributions will take us to new heights. We can’t wait to see how his passion and expertise will help us shape the future of Australian surfing.”

Surfing NSW Chairman John O’Neill said the appointment was made with the full support and endorsement of the Surfing NSW Board.

“Luke Madden is an exceptionally talented young executive who has spent 16 and a half years working his way up to the top role in our organisation, which he assumed back in 2016 at the age of just 27,” he said.

“We had openly discussed with Luke our preparedness to strongly support his move when the right role came along. This is the right role and Luke’s appointment will only strengthen the alignment of our state and national surfing organisations to the betterment of surfing in Australia and the community we serve.”

Mr Madden said he was excited by the opportunity and really pleased he would continue to work with his colleagues, industry and community stakeholders, especially during the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

“It’s a great privilege to have the opportunity to take up this role at a time when we have become an Olympic sport and know we will be hosting our third Olympic Games,” he said.

Mr Madden will start in his new role on the 16th of August based at the Hyundai High Performance Centre at Casuarina.