Office of Sport
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The Combat Sports Authority of New South Wales (the Authority) is constituted by the Combat Sports Act 2013. The Authority is, for the purposes of any Act, a NSW government agency.

The Authority is subject to the direction and control of the Minister for Sport in the exercise of its functions, except in relation to the contents of a report or recommendation made by it to the Minister.

The Authority has the following functions in accordance with the Act and Combat Sports Regulation 2014:

  • supervise and regulate professional and amateur combat sport in NSW
  • advise the Minister on matters related to combat sports and the Act, and
  • promote awareness of issues relating to combat sports.

Roles within the Office of Sport provide administrative and regulatory support to the Authority.

Members

The Authority consists of the following members:

  • a nominee of the Commissioner of Police approved by the Minister,
  • not fewer than 4 and not more than 6 persons appointed by the Minister.

Of the members appointed by the Minister:

  • one is, in and by the instrument of appointment or another instrument made by the Minister, to be appointed as Chairperson of the Authority, and
  • one is to be a medical practitioner, and
  • one is to be a person who is or has been a Judge of a court in Australia or has been an Australian lawyer for at least 7 years.

​The current members of the Authority are listed below.

Darren Kane - Chairperson

  • Principal, Advocatus Lawyers & Consultants.
  • Chairman of the Combat Sports Authority of New South Wales.
  • The Deputy Chairman, Honorary Secretary and Public Officer of The Carbine Club of NSW.
  • Member, 2017-2022 of the Legal Committee of World Aquatics (formerly Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA).
  • Member, 2021-22 of the Reform Committee of FINA.
  • Member, 2021-22 of the Governance and Ethics Reform Sub-Committee of FINA.
  • Chairman of the Reform and Governance Commission of, and Constitution and Governance Advisor to the International Weightlifting Federation.
  • Chairman of the Integrity Committee of Basketball Australia.
  • Olympic Appeals Consultant appointed by the Australian Olympic Committee pursuant to the AOC Team Selection By-Law. 
  • Arbitrator, mediator and conciliator appointed to Australia’s National Sports Tribunal.
  • Member of the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s Legal Aid Panel.
  • Member of the Appeals Panel of Harness Racing NSW.
  • Member of the Appeals Panel of Harness Racing NSW.

Peter Kerr AM - Legal Representative

  • Solicitor, Member Law Society of NSW.
  • Member Order of Australia (2008).
  • Member National Sports Tribunal (2020-current).
  • Australian Sports Medal (2001).
  • NSW Olympic Council Order of Merit (2018).
  • Commission of Association of National Olympic Committees (2018-current).
  • Oceania Member of the Independent Ethics Commission of ANOC.
  • Made Judges Oath at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.
  • Member Fina Doping Panel 2000-2023.
  • Member Physiotherapy Board of Australia 2012-2021.
  • Represented Australia in National Men’s Water Polo Team (1978-79).
  • Various disciplinary and Olympic selection appeal tribunals for Swimming Australia.
  • Appointed a member of the Combat Sports Authority in 2020.
  • Appointed chair of the Combat Sports Authority of NSW in 2023.

Dr Jeremy Hsu

  • Specialist Surgeon.
  • Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS)
  • Director of Trauma, Westmead Hospital
  • Immediate Past President of Australia and New Zealand Association for the Surgery of Trauma (ANZAST)
  • Clinical Associate Professor, Discipline of Surgery, Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney
  • Extensive academic and administrative appointments in Australian and overseas hospitals.
  • Chair of the Medical Advisory Committee.
  • Experienced attending medical practitioner at combat sport contests.
  • Participates in Muay Thai.
  • Appointed a member of the Combat Sports Authority in 2022.

Detective Superintendent Peter Faux

  • Commander, Organised Crime Squad, NSW Police Force.
  • Awarded the Australian Police Medal, National Police Diligent and Ethical Service Medal, amongst others.
  • Extensive policing experience including as Undercover Branch Operations Controller and protective security and covert services operations.
  • Appointed a member of the Combat Sports Authority in 2022.

Susan Catania    

  • Extensive corporate business experience in strategic leadership and business growth.
  • Master of Business Administration (MGSM).
  • Corporate leadership and development experience.
  • Member Gender Balance and Women in Leadership Lead corporate committees
  • Corporate training and development experience.
  • Appointed a member of the Combat Sports Authority in 2020.

Matthew Barrett

  • Experienced public sector senior leader and regulatory policy professional
  • Current NSW public service senior executive
  • Appointed as a combat sport inspector for 11 years
  • Former amateur and professional combatant in Australia and Europe
  • Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA)
  • Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSc. Hons)
  • Graduate of the Royal Military College Duntroon (AResGSO)
  • Governance Institute of Australia Effective Director (CertEDC)
  • Member of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (MIPAA)
  • Appointed as a member of the Combat Sports Authority of NSW in 2023.

Industry Advisory Group Membership

In accordance with the Terms of Reference for the Industry Advisory Group, the following industry members have been appointed as members:

  • Chris Aliendi
  • Danielle Curtis
  • Dean Groth
  • Andrew Parnham
  • George Rose
  • Elvis Sinosec
  • Francis McCardle
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