VIC Triathlon has welcomed three new directors to its Board following the 2026 Board election, bringing extensive experience across governance, legal, commercial, digital and member engagement to help guide the sport in Victoria.
Four positions were contested by six candidates, with Melanie Armsby, Deborah Friedlander, Barry Lipp and Cindy Vandecasteele elected by members. Armsby, Lipp and Vandecasteele join the Board as newly elected directors, while Friedlander was re-elected.
Meet the new Board members
Melanie Armsby returns to the VIC Triathlon Board, having previously served as a director during a period of significant organisational change. A senior legal and governance executive with more than 20 years’ experience, she is currently General Counsel and General Manager of Retail Governance at Momentum Energy. Her expertise spans corporate governance, risk management, sports law, regulatory and compliance matters, privacy and strategic decision-making. She is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Course and brings previous experience and understanding of VIC Triathlon, its stakeholders and strategic priorities.
A member of Bayside Triathlon Club, Armsby said her focus would include strengthening VIC Triathlon’s voice within the unified AusTriathlon structure, supporting strong governance and oversight, growing participation and membership, and continuing progress in gender equality and inclusion.
Barry Lipp brings extensive legal, governance and triathlon experience to the Board. A commercial solicitor with 20 years’ experience, he has previously served on VIC Triathlon’s Governance and Risk Committee and spent six years on AusTriathlon’s Age Group Committee. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the World Triathlon Tribunal and has also served on Triathlon Appeal Panels at the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games.
A lifelong triathlete and accredited coach, Lipp has represented Australia at the Age Group World Championships ten times. His priorities include strong integrity and welfare frameworks, supporting pathways from grassroots clubs through to elite and Age Group representation, and ensuring the interests of Victorian clubs and athletes remain at the heart of the sport’s future direction.
Cindy Vandecasteele joins the Board with more than 20 years’ executive experience across financial services, health and energy, spanning customer and member engagement, commercial performance, transformation, marketing, digital and data. Her experience includes leading significant teams and transformation programs, alongside advisory and governance roles.
Vandecasteele has also been involved in triathlon for more than 20 years and continues to race sprint and Olympic-distance events in Melbourne. She has identified participation and retention, strengthened membership value and club support, and turning strategy into sustainable outcomes as areas where she hopes to contribute.
Experience returns to the Board
Deborah Friedlander was re-elected following previous service on the Board from 2020 to 2024, including as President from 2022 to 2024, before returning as a nominated director in 2025. She brings 16 years of corporate experience across senior management, finance and law and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
An active age-group triathlete and Hawthorn Triathlon Club Secretary, Friedlander is focused on providing continuity while supporting the delivery of priorities across membership, participation, events, coaching, technical officials and high-performance pathways.
Board leadership confirmed
Following the AGM, the Board held a special meeting to confirm its key office bearers for the year. Damian Walsh was re-appointed President, while Anna Boland was re-appointed Treasurer.
The VIC Triathlon Board for the 2026/27 season is:
- Damian Walsh – President
- Anna Boland – Treasurer
- Melanie Armsby
- Deborah Friedlander
- Barry Lipp
- Aidan Rich
- Cindy Vandecasteele
Thank you to all candidates and outgoing directors
VIC Triathlon sincerely thanks to all six candidates who were nominated for the four elected positions.
Alongside the successful candidates, Emma Carney and Trent Dawson put themselves forward for election, offering significant experience and a clear commitment to the continued growth of triathlon and multisport in Victoria. Their willingness to contribute their time, expertise and passion to the sport is greatly appreciated.
VIC Triathlon also extends its sincere thanks to outgoing directors Nerissa Stafford, Mark Warburton and Nick Kennedy for their time, effort and contribution to the Board and the wider Victorian triathlon and multisport community.
As the new Board begins its work for the 2026/27 season, it brings together continuing leadership and new perspectives to support Victorian clubs, members, participants and the continued growth of triathlon and multisport across the state.
