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Touch Football Australia has appointed James Sharp in the executive leadership role of General Manager, Growth & Innovation, with the appointment effective as of today.

The General Manager, Growth & Innovation will be responsible for leading the strategic development and delivery of participation across the full Touch Football lifecycle – from grassroots to elite. The role will oversee the national participation framework, including state operations, participation programs, refereeing, coaching, and performance pathways. The role is pivotal in driving sustained growth, enhancing participant experiences, and ensuring the long-term success of the sport at all levels.

Additionally, the role will play a key leadership role in integrating insights from across all national touchpoints to inform future-facing decisions and strategic priorities, fostering innovation in how the sport is played, accessed, and delivered. Sharp’s appointment follows an extensive national recruitment process with almost 100 applicants, reflecting strong market interest and a competitive field.

The process was run over four stages by eight different panel members representing National and State Offices, as well as members of the State & Territory Advisory Committee (STAC) and TFA Board. Candidates were assessed on their alignment with TFA values, stakeholder management abilities in the complexity of a national system, and long-term strategic leadership capability.

Notably, Sharp’s appointment marks an exciting internal progression, recognising his outstanding contributions as TFA’s National Education and Policy Manager, leading large-scale projects and initiatives to bring positive impacts to the Touch Football landscape across educational frameworks and sports policies, governance reform, and widespread digital transformation via the introduction of ‘The Nest’.

TFA Chief Executive Marcus Ashcroft enthused “we’re really excited to see James step into the role of General Manager, Growth & Innovation. He’s been a driving force behind some of our most impactful projects in recent years, and he brings a great mix of big-picture thinking, practical leadership, and genuine passion for the game. This appointment recognises the outstanding work James has already done and sets us up for an exciting next chapter as we look to grow and evolve Touch Football across the country.”

His professional experience is supported by over a decade of involvement with the University of Queensland Touch Football Association, most recently concluding his tenure as Chair. Sharp is currently an MBA candidate at the University of Queensland, having completed study abroad at Harvard. He has played in Elite competitions domestically and represented Queensland in the Men's 30s at State of Origin. More recently, he represented Australia at the highest level as an Athelite Australian Emu, claiming a Gold Medal at the 2024 Touch World Cup in the Men's 30s division.

“I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity to take on this new role with TFA,” adds Sharp. “Our sports greatest strength is its ability to bring people together from all walks of life. As we enter this exciting new era, I'm committed to fostering innovation that enhances our community values while creating clear, inspiring pathways for every Australian to engage with our sport”.

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