A pioneer of sports for development in Australia, George is well recognised locally and internationally for his work using sport to have social impact. George now offers his expertise to a range of organisations to deliver, develop and drive a range of innovative sport for development initiatives.

In his role as National Coach of the Community Street Soccer Program of the Big Issue George developed the original pilot program which used soccer to engage homeless people in suburban Melbourne. He lead the development of this pilot to a sophisticated national network of programs across Australia which has impacted greatly the physical and psychological well-being of participants. He was also instrumental in attaining funding for the program in the project’s formative years and now coaches and coordinates Australia's Homeless World Cup campaigns and trains and mentors program staff.

George’s experience also includes coordinating a highly successful sports mentoring program for long term asylum seekers in detention which primarily used cricket as a vehicle of engagement.

He also developed the ground-breaking City Strikers walking football program with City in the Community, Melbourne City Football Club which offered seniors and those with limited mobility increased physical activity and social connection He has also coordinated the International Students Football Program aimed at improving the well-being of international students in Melbourne and has recently begun working on a program to get carers of people with disability and chronic illness more active. His most achievement is the development of the innovative Man Up Creating Respectful Relationships Program a school education program that uses football to address gender equality and gender based violence.

His Sport for Development Services Include:

  • Strategic planning

  • Funding acquisition

  • Program Development

  • Staff training and Development

  • Conference and forum Facilitation

  • Leadership Development ( Community Leadership through Sport/Football Program)

  • Specialist Personal and Professional Development Programs (using engagement in sport and community to drive capacity and leadership in people with a disability through the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme)

  • Coaching and mentoring emerging leaders in the sports and sports for development industries

With George’s vast experience working with people with disabilities he is sought after as a provider to the National Disability Insurance Scheme by many clients and their support workers. He specialises in developing personal development programs for people with disabilities including leadership development, mentoring and training clients to be community advocates.

George also delivers workshops and presentations with people he works with sharing inspirational stories of lived experience.