David Thompson (Senior Manager - National Strategic Projects)

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.