Speakers
Find out more about the presenters from Partner Summit 2026
Blair Crouch
Chief Commercial & Digital Officer, Hockey Australia
Blair Crouch is a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience in the international sport and entertainment industry. Renowned for his strategic leadership, Blair has built a reputation for driving commercial growth and developing high-performing teams across rights holders, agencies, and global brands.
Blair began his career in marketing, holding roles with Holden and Carlton & United Breweries before transitioning into the sports industry with strategic consultancy Gemba. He later joined the AFL, where he managed the largest commercial portfolio in Australian sport. Blair went on to serve as General Manager of the Moonee Valley Racing Club—overseeing two of Winx’s legendary Cox Plate victories—before leading the Melbourne Stars BBL Club for four years.
Throughout his career, Blair has successfully negotiated and managed some of the most high-profile commercial partnerships in Australian sport. He is widely respected for his ability to foster strong stakeholder relationships and deliver meaningful business outcomes through collaborative, team-driven leadership.
Outside of work, Blair is a proud and active father to two teenage sons. He enjoys a round of golf and hitting the gym to stay ahead of the dreaded dad bod.
Niel Isdale
Chief Customer Officer, Komo Technologies
With more than 15 years of leadership in sports, media, and digital transformation, Niel Isdale brings a unique blend of strategic vision and commercial acumen to every engagement. At Komo, he oversees growth, partnerships, and the application of data-first, fan-centric experiences that drive real business outcomes.
Over his career, Niel has:
- Led multi-million-dollar commercial partnerships and sponsorships across premier sports properties, aligning brand objectives with fan engagement strategies.
- Built and scaled innovative digital platforms that turn passive audiences into active communities, measurable media assets, and revenue-generating loyalty programs.
- Negotiated and delivered compelling sponsorship value propositions, ensuring brand partners see clear ROI through activation, data, and deep audience insight.
- Bridged the gap between tech and sport, translating complex data systems into compelling storytelling and actionable strategies for rights-holders, leagues, and brands.
- Worked collaboratively with agencies, rights holders, and brands to maximize synergy between marketing investment, fan experience, and commercial return.
As a speaker, Niel brings clarity, and a partner-first mindset. He doesn’t just talk about “what’s possible”, he shows how brands, sports organisations, and rights holders can do it today, using real-world examples, measurable frameworks, and a clear connection between fan engagement and commercial impact.
When he’s not in the boardroom or on stage, you’ll find Niel advocating for the convergence of brand and technology by creating experiences that elevate both fans and commercial partners.
Anthony Caruso
Head of Media Solutions, Nielsen
Anthony has come on board as the new head of Client Services for Nielsen Sport. A self-confessed sports junkie, Anthony carries 18 years experience in analytics and over 16 years in sports presentation. Despite his strongest sport being cricket, he is a lifelong Kookaburra fan.
Jaid Hulsbosch
Managing Director, Hulsbosch
Hulsbosch is responsible for creating Australia’s most famous and most iconic brand logos and identities - Qantas, Woolworths, Football Australia, Socceroos/Matildas, Virgin Australia, Rebel, Supercars, Liquorland, Tennis Australia, Stan, Children’s Starlight Foundation, McGrath Foundation and many many more.
Jaid is responsible for all aspects of business management: from project planning to HR, from strengthening client partnerships to securing new business, and managing and mentoring the team.
Athlete Panel
Mark Knowles
Mark Knowles was one of Australian hockey’s most decorated and fiercely determined athletes – a four-time Olympian who always gave of his all when his country needed it.
Hailing from Rockhampton in central Queensland, Knowles graduated from being one of the sport’s brightest young stars to Australia’s inspirational skipper.
He was the youngest member of the 2004 Australian hockey team which went on to end decades of Olympic heartache by winning the gold medal in Athens.
It would be the first of four Olympic campaigns for Knowles, as the team added to the Athens gold with bronze medals in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012.
He also won two World Cups (2010 and 2014), four Champions Trophies (2005, 2008, 2009 and 2012), and four Commonwealth Games gold medals (2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018).
Knowles was named World Young Player of the Year in 2007 and World Player of the Year in 2014 – the latter being the same year he was appointed Australian captain.
He carried the leadership honour with distinction right through to his retirement after winning his fourth Commonwealth Games gold medal on the Gold Coast, in his native Queensland.
Jocelyn Bartram
Jocelyn Bartram is a current Australian goalkeeper for the Hockeyroos and one of the most experienced players in the national squad. Originally from Albury, New South Wales. Jocelyn has represented Australia at multiple World Cups, including the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup, and made her Olympic debut at Paris 2024.
Known for her composure and penalty shootout performances, Jocelyn has established herself as a key part of the Hockeyroos’ defence. In 2026, she was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament at the FIH Hockey World Cup and shortlisted for the FIH Hockey Stars Goalkeeper of the Year award.
Away from hockey, Jocelyn is studying medicine, balancing the demands of elite sport with her academic career. Her experience offers a unique perspective on high performance, resilience, leadership and building a career beyond the sporting field.
Casey Sablowski
Casey Sablowski is a former Hockeyroo who represented Australia for more than a decade, making 258 international appearances across three Olympic Games and two World Cups. A respected leader within the team, Casey served as vice-captain at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games and was part of the Hockeyroos through several different generations of Australian hockey.
Since stepping away from international hockey, Casey has continued to be involved in the sport while building a life beyond elite competition. Her experience across multiple Olympic cycles and her transition from athlete to life after hockey give her a unique perspective on leadership, high performance, the evolution of the game and what it takes to build a sustainable career beyond the field.
Rajesh Nair
CEO & Founder, Automatorr
Rajesh Nair is the Founder and CEO of Automatorr, an Australian technology company specializing in AI, automation, software engineering, managed IT services, CRM solutions, and digital transformation. With more than 28 years of experience across consulting, customer experience, outsourcing, and software implementation, Rajesh has built a reputation for helping organizations leverage technology to improve productivity, efficiency, and business outcomes.
Under his leadership, Automatorr has delivered innovative solutions for clients across Australia and internationally, combining deep technical expertise with a practical business-focused approach. Rajesh is passionate about emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, automation, and workforce transformation, and is committed to helping businesses convert technology investments into measurable results.
A respected industry leader, speaker and entrepreneur, Rajesh actively collaborates with business leaders, technology partners, educational institutions, and sporting organizations to drive innovation, foster talent, and create meaningful impact across industries.
David Thompson
Acting CEO, Hockey Australia
After a successful 30-year career in the apparel industry, including 25 years with Bonds, David Thompson transitioned into the world of sport to pursue his passion. His first role in the sports sector was with Cricket NSW, where he served as General Manager of the State Cricket Department. A former cricketer himself, David led the High-Performance division, overseeing coaches, support personnel, and sports medicine staff. He was also responsible for the contracting of elite male and female athletes for the NSW Blues, Breakers, and in subsequent years, the two Big Bash League teams.
In 2015, driven by his family’s growing love for hockey and his personal ambition to lead a state sporting organisation, David joined Hockey NSW. His dream became a reality in July 2016 when he was appointed CEO. Under his leadership, Hockey NSW thrived, and in 2017, David was recognised as Administrator of the Year at the Sports NSW Annual Awards. He remained in the role until October 2021.
In November 2021, David took on a national strategic position with Hockey Australia. In this role, he has worked closely with CEO counterparts across the country, driving collaborative initiatives to enhance efficiency across the sport. Most notably, he led the development of Hockey Australia’s first national strategic vision through to 2032, as well as the 2023–24 Strategic Plan.
With now 10 years dedicated to hockey and 15 years in the broader sporting industry, David brings a wealth of experience in stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, commercial development, and team leadership. His contributions have consistently delivered strong outcomes and helped shape the future of Australian sport.
