Our Team
We now have full-time offices and staff in both Australia and New Zealand, as well as a range of agents located in over 20 countries around the world.
Paul Kelly
With a background in Sports Management and coaching, the opportunity to move into the sports travel market back in 2002 was too hard to ignore for someone who is a keen follower of pretty much every sport going around. PK’s passion for travel and sport has seen him travel to over 40 countries with several more on the “to-do” list for major events in the next few years, including leading tours for some of our new sports with his interesting dress choices. MBL: +61.413480433
Simone Fernon
From a young age Simone dedicated herself to sports in Country Victoria, including Basketball, Volleyball and Netball, before moving to Melbourne, working up to managing a travel store Simone has extensive experience in the Travel industry, being lucky enough to visit over 50 countries. Simone’s specialties including managing our major national events for large sporting groups, with her bubbly personality and passion for looking after clients.
Mike Causer
Mike grew up playing competitive sports with a focus on basketball and AFL but has a great appreciation for all sports. His passion for travel has seen him travel extensively spending months at a time off on adventures around the globe, visiting over 50 countries in the process. Mike is loving being able to join his passion for both sports and travel by providing our range of clients with amazing travel and sporting experiences around the world.
Murray Scott
Murray has spent over 35 years in the travel industry, working for Contiki in Europe, then heading operations in NZ before coming onboard in 2016 to run our NZ business. Hugely respected in the industry with a wealth of knowledge and experience, Murray continues to lead groups each year, with Rugby & Cricket in particular a focus, having attended the past 6 Rugby World Cups and numerous cricket tours around the world.
Steve Dunn
In 2019, Steve and his business partner booked on our FIBA World Cup Tour to China, having been to all the previous World Cups and Olympics dating back to 2000. During the pandemic, they then came onboard as a shareholders and Steve took on a Director role with us. As a qualified CPA, successful businessman and previous part-owner of the Sydney Kings, Steve's knowledge and experience has been invaluable as we have moved from a small business into a larger organisation requiring much better financial structures.
Shane Tonkin (OLY)
A former professional baseball player & Olympian (Atlanta 1996), “Tonks” moved into sports administration, most recently as Commercial Manager of Hockey Australia, then Baseball Australia, where he was our contact and worked with us on our partnerships. After leaving his last role, he has jumped across to the other side of the desk to manage the partnerships with our growing number of sports. Outside of work, Shane is busy following his talented 3 daughters in the sporting arena, including playing for the Hockeyroos and competing at national level Athletics.
Cheree Rowlands
Having worked in various roles in the travel and retail industries early on in her career, Cheree came on board with SportsLink Travel early on as a part-time consultant after taking some time off to have her 2 boys, who continue to remain a focus as she balances career and family. As our business grew, Cheree’s interest and talents shone out to move into managing the financial aspects of the business for clients, partners and suppliers and continues to keep everything on track.
Brooke Penfold (OLY)
A triple Olympian as part of the Australian Womens Softball team (nee Wilkins) and member of the World Softball Hall of Fame, Brooke has devoted her career to the development of athletes, mainly in her chosen sport. We worked with Brooke as part of her previous role at Softball Australia and took the opportunity on her departure to manage our range of Development Tours across numerous sports as part of our “Towards 2032” program. This will certainly ensure the quality of the programs for junior players.
Cheree Rowlands
Having worked in various roles in the travel and retail industries early on in her career, Cheree came on board with SportsLink Travel early on as a part-time consultant after taking some time off to have her 2 boys, who continue to remain a focus as she balances career and family. As our business grew, Cheree’s interest and talents shone out to move into managing the financial aspects of the business for clients, partners and suppliers and continues to keep everything on track.
Brooke Penfold (OLY)
A triple Olympian as part of the Australian Womens Softball team (nee Wilkins) and member of the World Softball Hall of Fame, Brooke has devoted her career to the development of athletes, mainly in her chosen sport. We worked with Brooke as part of her previous role at Softball Australia and took the opportunity on her departure to manage our range of Development Tours across numerous sports as part of our “Towards 2032” program. This will certainly ensure the quality of the programs for junior players.
Steph Clarke
After an established career in travel management, starting with STA and then in corporate travel roles, 2019 saw Steph take some time off to start a family and is now the proud mum of 2 growing and energetic kids. Having worked previously with Nat in another office, this link saw us successfully recruit Steph back into the industry in a part time role, with the priority of still raising her family, but using her knowledge and experience for the benefit of our clients over the coming years.
Amber Jarvis
As a mum of two, budding artist and outdoor lover, Amber has worked in travel her entire career, joining us in 2023 in a part time role while also focusing on family and her growing son & daughter. Working across a number of different sports, Amber provides support for some of our key partners while also sharing her knowledge with our internal teams to provide better service levels and procedures.
Natalie Mersin
With a career in travel management, Natalie joined SportsLink Travel in 2021 to head up our Travel Management area, looking after a number of our key sports and their day to day travel needs, while providing guidance and structure throughout the business. Having worked predominately with medium to large corporate business, Natalie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team. Coupled with a customer service focus, Nat has been a great addition to our team and to those sports she works with.
Simone Mitchell
Having worked as a Travel Manager on some of the countries highest profile sports and looked after the travel needs of teams and athletes for the AFL, Tennis Australia & Cricket Australia, as well as other events, Simone’s experience was a massive boost when joining our team in early 2023. Working across a number of sports and creating options for future tours, Simone’s depth of knowledge in systems and processes is a huge advantage when ensuring smooth operations for our sports teams and group travel.
Tim Earl
Having worked in travel for a number of years in a variety of corporate travel roles, a career move out of the sector for an extended period of time ended with the realisation of the overwhelming desire to get back to his passion of travel and sport, joining us in October 2022 to work in our Travel Management team. When not in the office, Tim spends his time with his family including two teenage children, and hitting the pavement on a regular basis, having completed multiple marathons and endurance running events over the years.
Chris Fernando
A career that includes a mix of sports administration, travel, events and hospitality was the perfect range of experiences for Chris to join us at the start of 2023 to cover a range of sports and look at some new tour options for the business. An extroverted introvert, wannabe comedian and proud uncle with a keen interest in a wide variety of sports both in Australia and overseas, Chris’ continued support of the Hawks in the AFL & fancy cardigans certainly helps to brighten up the office each day.
Corey Shanaberger
Corey is a seasoned travel professional whose passion for exploration was ignited by her unique time overseas as part of a Defence Force family. A proud North Melbourne AFL & Formula1 fan, when not using her vast experience to look after our clients, Corey enjoys cooking up a storm with her vibrant family of eight children and four grandchildren, with plans to follow the full F1 calendar in the future
Lauren Hema
Having worked in leisure, corporate and government bookings, Lauren found a passion for groups while working with Emergency Services, moving hundreds of fire fighters within tight timelines. After a brief break from the industry during the pandemic, this experience brought her to SportsLink where Lauren works on a range of sports events, moving groups around the country and the world. An aminal lover, during the evening you’ll either find her at a venue watching local musicians at a cozy gig or curled up on the couch with her dog binge watching a Netflix series!
Bill Swain
Originally from country NSW, Bill has an extensive background and passion for sport in general, most recently as the full time Team Manager of the ACT Brumbies in the Super Rugby competition for 6 seasons. Previously, Bill had served as a NSW Police Officer and played representative Rugby Union. Based in the Canberra office, Bill’s playing and managing experience brings a strong knowledge of Tour Management which is central to his new role. Outside of the office, Bill maintains an involvement in local rugby union, coaching and supporting his teenage sons in the game.
Angel Villarosa
An experienced travel agent having worked in various corporate and leisure travel roles for several years, Angel joined us in 2022, combining a love for travel and sports, having been a keen volleyball supporter. Angel loves to spend time with her family including 2 young children (a daughter and a son) and has been a welcome addition to our staff, supporting many of our teams.
Steph Clarke
After an established career in travel management, starting with STA and then in corporate travel roles, 2019 saw Steph take some time off to start a family and is now the proud mum of 2 growing and energetic kids. Having worked previously with Nat in another office, this link saw us successfully recruit Steph back into the industry in a part time role, with the priority of still raising her family, but using her knowledge and experience for the benefit of our clients over the coming years.
Amber Jarvis
As a mum of two, budding artist and outdoor lover, Amber has worked in travel her entire career, joining us in 2023 in a part time role while also focusing on family and her growing son & daughter. Working across a number of different sports, Amber provides support for some of our key partners while also sharing her knowledge with our internal teams to provide better service levels and procedures.
Lloyd Morris
Lloyd had worked previously with some of our Senior Managers who highly recommended that we bring him on board to look after the additional travel needs for our clients due to his exceptional knowledge and customer service. Travel is part of his DNA, planning and booking travel, including complex flights and itineraries, cruises, high end rail trips and self drive holidays around the world to ensure the perfect trip to remember.