Our Team
Chris Harnett
Chair, Non-Executive Director
Chris is Business Consultant, having worked in the sectors of Healthcare, Biotechnology, Advanced Manufacturing and Commercialisation for over 30 years.
Chris has been involved in several national not for profit groups and with Blind Sports SA since 2021.
He brings to the role a range of skills that include, marketing, strategic planning, administration and financial literacy. Chris values his involvement in the BSSA,
strongly supporting its vision for the community it serves and seeks to undertake initiatives that will add value to the organisation.
Chris has completed an MBA and has GAICD.
Michael Collas-Smith (GAICD)
Vice-Chair, Non-Executive Director
The Director of a digital advertising agency with several global brands as clients and the Founder of a national Australian glazing business built upon his marketing expertise, Michael is known for effective communication and business development strategies. He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communications from the University of Leicester and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Michael’s father had a background in education for persons with disabilities, and so Michael holds a special affinity for initiatives promoting inclusivity such as the BSSA. As an influential communicator with strong leadership skills, Michael cultivates effective working relationships within and between organisations to achieve desired outcomes for internal and external stakeholders.
Debbie Le Roux (GAICD)
Non-Executive Director
Debbie Le Roux (GAICD) brings a strong background in governance, strategy and a deep understanding of education. She has worked across a range of education sectors both in Australia and South Africa over the last 30 years and currently serves as the CEO of a specialist higher education institution delivering undergraduate courses in the domains of Sport, Health, Education, Sport Business and Dance. She is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, INSEAD executive education and holds a Master’s degree and additional postgraduate qualifications and currently completing a Global MBA at Macquarie University. Debbie strongly believes in the transformational power of sport and education and is keen to use her experience to support BSSA to achieve its mission of promoting blind sports in South Australia, increasing participation and facilitating inclusive sport through education and awareness.
Michael Sweeney
Non-Executive Director
Michael is a Principal of Adelaide based professional services company Lee Green Strategic Accountants.
Professionally Michael’s expertise is in the areas of accounting, taxation, business management and financial analysis – providing these services for commercial and not-for-profit clients throughout Australia and South East Asia.
Michael has been a non-executive director of Blind Sports SA and Treasurer since September 2012 and is also the Executive Chair of Basketball Adelaide and enjoys participating in the annual Vision Challenge with his family.
Lachlan Wallace:
Non-Executive Director
Lachlan Wallace: Lachlan was born 13/06/1999 in Adelaide, South Australia. Lachlan is a member of the Blind/vision Impaired community as an athlete and administrator. Lachlan is a keen Blind Cricketer and advocate for those with a vision impairment.
After many visits to the hospital and doctors surgery’s as a baby, at 13 months old Lachlan was diagnosed with congenital Glaucoma. This left Lachlan with very minimal vision in his right eye and 6/60 vision with 5 degrees field in his left.
From a young age, Lachlan showed a clear interest in sports, playing mainstream Aussie rules football at the age of 9. However as he and his peers grew older, it got harder to compete with the main stream athletes.
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Andrew Whisson
Non-Executive Director
I am currently the PE advisory teacher at the South Australian School and Services for Vision Impaired (SASSVI) after spending the past 7 years as the PE teacher at the school site. Through this position I have run multiple blind sporting events including the states first blind sports camp in over a decade.
I have also been involved in blind sports in various capacities since 2014 and is currently heavily involved in both blind tennis and blind football (soccer) at the state and national level. However, my passion lies in all blind sports, and I will happily attend and support all blind and low vision sports in South Australia. I passion for the increased complexities in the tactical approach to blind and low vision sport and love to be involved in learning and increasing my own knowledge of each sport.
I am really excited about the possible progression of Blind Sports South Australia (BSSA) and being involved in BSSA’s evolution as the peak body for blind sports in South Australia.
Kent Dredge
Sports Development Officer
Kent has been the Sports Development Officer at Blind Sports SA since July 2010. As an active Triathlete for over 20 years he has played and coached many sports all his life, including Australian Rules Football, Basketball and Cricket and has a personal passion for sport which encouraged him to pursue this opportunity. In particular, he has always been a strong advocate for inclusion in sport and being able to provide the opportunity for people to participate in the sport of their choice.
His qualifications and accreditations include MBA (UniSA), Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement & Health Studies) (UniSA), Level 2 Strength & Conditioning Coach & ASCA PCAS Professional Coach, Level 3 Recreational Running Coach (Athletics Australia) & Triathlon Development Coach (Triathlon Australia) and he is currently in the final subjects of his Graduate Certificate of Exercise Science (Strength and Conditioning) (ECU)
In addition, he is also the South Australian Road Runners Club coach, presents the Level 1 & 2 Recreational Running Courses for Athletics SA and has been a casual strength & conditioning coach with the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) for over 10 years. He is also a current director on the Triathlon SA board.