Little Athletics Queensland is pleased to announce the appointment of two exceptional individuals to its Board of Directors: Tim Oberg and Nikita Vogel.

Tim Oberg – Bringing Community Sport Leadership Experience

Tim Oberg joins the LAQ Board with over two decades of experience creating outstanding customer experiences across various organisations. His most notable achievement was founding and leading parkrun Australia as CEO for more than a decade, transforming a small UK event into a nationwide social movement that has become synonymous with community health and wellbeing.

Currently serving as Head of Physical Education at Hamilton Island State School, Tim is also the Founder of the Healthy Kids Project. His volunteer commitments extend to the Australian Sports Commission’s Play Well Strategy Leadership Group and the Australian Mass Sporting Event Alliance (AMPSEA).

“Tim’s extensive experience in leading large-scale volunteering programs and healthy lifestyle initiatives will provide invaluable insight as we work to achieve the goals outlined in our 2025-27 Strategic Plan, On Track for Tomorrow,” said LAQ President Ross Pallentine.

Nikita Vogel – Former Athlete Brings Technology and Change Management Expertise

Nikita Vogel’s connection to Little Athletics runs deep – she’s a former Gin Gin Little Athlete who proudly represented Queensland in discus in 1999. Now she returns to the Little Athletics family in a leadership capacity, bringing crucial expertise in sports technology and change management.

Currently serving as State Manager (Queensland) for the Australian Sports Technology Network (ASTN), Nikita also holds roles as Special Projects Manager for Basketball Australia and Director and Owner of Revolve Athletic. Her diverse experience across the sporting ecosystem addresses key skills gaps identified within the current Board.

“Nikita’s technology and change management knowledge will be instrumental as we navigate a period of rapid organisational development, particularly with the introduction of new technologies like Sport:80,” noted Pallentine.

Board Tenure Details

Tim Oberg will serve until the 2027 AGM, filling the remainder of the vacancy left by Ross Anderson. Nikita Vogel’s appointment runs until the 2026 AGM, filling the casual vacancy created by Kelsey Hills’ resignation in June.

Both appointments follow the organisation’s constitutional processes for filling board vacancies and were made after a comprehensive application process conducted in August 2025.

“We’re excited to welcome both Tim and Nikita to the Little Athletics Queensland family,” said President Pallentine. “Their combined expertise in community engagement, technology, and sport development will strengthen our Board as we continue to provide positive athletic experiences for young Queenslanders.”

Current LAQ Board of Directors

The Little Athletics Queensland Board of Directors now consists of:

• Ross Pallentine (President)
• Blake Frost (Vice President)
• Gary Morrisby (Finance Director)
• Michelle Moore
• Peter Hionis
• Tim Oberg
• Nikita Vogel