Life membership is the highest accolade that ANZSLA may confer upon one of its members for "distinguished service to the Association over a period of at least five years."
Life Members of ANZSLA
Hayden Opie AM
Awarded in 2000
In 1990 Hayden was the person who was most instrumental in the creation of ANZSLA by calling together sports lawyers from either side of the Tasman for a dinner at Melbourne University in 1990 and it was at that dinner that ANZSLA was born. Hayden served as founding President of ANZSLA for the first 7 years of ANZSLA's existence.
Brian Doyle
Awarded in 2004
Brian played a tremendous role in the development of ANZSLA over the years into the organisation that it is today and this award acknowledges Brian's high esteem within sports law, not only in Australia but globally. Brian Doyle's involvement in ANZSLA traces back to ANZSLA's birth year of 1990 and he served as the second President of the organisation from 1997. His contribution to ANZSLA has been unerring throughout the organisation's history.
Simon Rofe
Awarded in 2008
Simon Rofe was ANZSLA's very influential President from 2002 to 2007 and during his reign, Simon made a significant impact on ANZSLA's success, increasing membership numbers and financial security.
Malcolm Speed AO
Awarded in 2011
In recognition of the significant contribution made in establishing the association as one of ANZSLA's founding members, and for activities and support for ANZSLA and for sports law in the years since.
Ian Fullagar
Awarded in 2011
In recognition of the significant contribution made in establishing the association as one of ANZSLA's founding members, and for activities and support for ANZSLA and for sports law in the years sinc
Tony Oxnevad
Awarded in 2011
In recognition of the significant contribution made in establishing the association as one of ANZSLA's founding members, and for activities and support for ANZSLA and for sports law in the years since.
Steven Wright
Awarded in 2011
In recognition of the significant contribution made in establishing the association as one of ANZSLA's founding members, and for activities and support for ANZSLA and for sports law in the years since.
Rod Gillam
Awarded in 2011
In recognition of the significant contribution made in establishing the association as one of ANZSLA's founding members, and for activities and support for ANZSLA and for sports law in the years since.
Ian Hunt
Awarded in 2013
Ian was awarded life membership in 2013 in recognition of his distinguished service to ANZSLA, not only in acting as President for 5 years, but also for his activities and support for ANZSLA and for sports law over many years – particularly in New Zealand.
Deborah Healey
Awarded in 2015
Deb has made a significant contribution to ANZSLA over many years. She has served as Editor of the ANZSLA Journal since 2008 and acts as Convenor of the judging panel for the Paul Trisley Award. Deb has been a regular presenter at ANZSLA conferences and has actively supported ANZSLA and the study and practice of sports law throughout her career.
Andy Gibson
Awarded in 2015
Andy has made a significant contribution to ANZSLA over many years. Andy was ANZSLA’s Director of Finance from 2004 to 2012 and has been a member of the ANZSLA Journal’s Editorial Committee since 2006. Andy has also been a regular Annual Conference presenter and organising committee member, a regular contributor to the ANZSLA Commentator and a member of the judging panel for the Paul Trisley Award for many years. In 2012, Andy was awarded the Denis Callinan Award, an award that recognises members who render commendable community service in the field of sports law.
Venetia Bennett
Awarded to 2019
Venetia gave 10 years of service to the ANZSLA Board from 2008 to 2018. Venetia was co-opted to the Board in 2008 and appointed as ANZSLA’s Secretary in 2009. Venetia then held that position until 2012 when she was elected as ANZSLA’s President, becoming the first female - and youngest - ANZSLA President. Venetia chaired the 2008 ANZSLA conference, co-chaired the 2012 and 2019 ANZSLA conferences, and has also assisted with the organisation of many Perth regional events. Venetia launched ANZSLA’s new logo and website in 2010; and revised the ANZSLA Constitution in 2011.
Nigel Stirling
Awarded in 2019
Nigel joined ANZSLA when it was first incorporated in 1991 and has been to every conference except three. Nigel has delivered his rendition of the ANZSLA Bus Story whenever asked to do so at conference dinners and it was Nigel that initiated the ANZSLA Sports Cup that is now a regular conference event; and donated the trophy for it. Although Nigel has never been a member of the ANZSLA Board, he has served on the 2002 (Chair), 2006, 2011 and 2016 ANZSLA Conference Organising Committees. Nigel has also assisted on the organising committees of the 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 ANZSLA New Zealand Symposiums, along with many regional events.
David Garnsey
Awarded in 2022
David has been an active member and supporter of ANZSLA since 1992, having only missed one conference since that time. He has throughout his membership been a tireless promoter of ANZSLA and its events and his enthusiasm for ANZSLA has been pivotal in encouraging many of its current members to join. He was a frequent contributor to the original ANZSLA Newsletter in the early years of ANZSLA and was renowned for producing a number of articles on the Super League litigation at short notice for the benefit of members. David was on the ANZSLA Editorial Committee in 1995, the Commentator Ad-Hoc Group in 2007, and in 2021 he joined the Paul Trisley Award Judging Panel. David has contributed articles to the Commentator and reviews articles for the ANZSLA Journal.
Lydia Dowse
Awarded in 2023
Lydia Dowse has been an active and enthusiastic member and supporter of ANZSLA since its beginning in 1990. Lydia attended the very first ANZSLA conference in 1991 and has missed only one or two over the three decades since. Lydia accepted a co-opted position on the ANZSLA Board from 2014 to 2015, specifically assisting with the 2014 Adelaide Conference Organising Committee (COC) as the Board representative. This was not the only occasion that Lydia held a position on an ANZSLA COC, in fact she has done so a staggering six times, in Perth 2001 (as COC Chair), Melbourne 2004, Melbourne 2008, Perth 2012 (Co-Chair), Adelaide 2014, and Melbourne 2023. In addition to Lydia's formal ANZSLA Committee appointments, she has been a passionate mentor for younger members new to the sport and sports law industries, generously giving of her time and advice to assist in their career development and progression.
Lydia has worked for many sports organisations through the course of her career and has brought those myriad experiences to her knowledge and insight about the challenges faced by and opportunities available to those bodies and to the many people with whom she works and mentors.
Keith Binnie
Despite his all-consuming General Counsel role at New Zealand Rugby and many other (often voluntary and time consuming) roles in sport, Keith Binnie has somehow also managed to have been an incredibly active (and remarkably humble) member and driving force for ANZSLA over the past eight years. During his tenure, Keith has been a key voice for New Zealand members and instrumental in increasing New Zealand memberships by an incredible 40%. He is an ever-reliable source of support and advice for members and ANZSLA Board and management alike. Keith was an integral member of ANZSLA's Conference Organising Committees for Wellington 2016 and Queenstown 2020/2021/2022 and an invaluable member of the organising committees for the 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021 New Zealand Sports Law Symposiums. In addition to Keith's leadership on event organising committees for ANZSLA, he has also been a much valued and expert contributor to the programmes, generously giving of his time to present at countless ANZSLA conferences and events in New Zealand and Australia over the past 7 years.
In 2020, Keith drove the establishment of ANZSLA's Sports Law Scholarship, initially championing the idea and then assisting in establishing the guidelines and launching of the inaugural program. Keith has continued to support this initiative as a member of the Selection Committee in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.