Australia's Voice for Mass Participation Events
The Australian Mass Participation Sporting Events Alliance (AMPSEA) is the peak industry body representing event organisers, suppliers, and stakeholders in Australia's thriving mass participation sporting events sector.
Our Mission
To unite, represent, and empower Australia's mass participation sporting events industry through advocacy, education, and collaboration—creating an environment where events can thrive and participants can enjoy transformative experiences.
- Advocate for supportive policies and regulations
- Provide world-class education and resources
- Foster collaboration across the industry
- Promote the economic and social value of events
Our Vision
An Australia where mass participation sporting events are recognised as vital contributors to community health, wellbeing, and economic prosperity—with a thriving, sustainable industry that leads the world in innovation and excellence.
"We envision a future where every Australian has access to inspiring mass participation sporting events, supported by a strong, unified industry that delivers exceptional experiences while contributing positively to communities nationwide."
— AMPSEA Board
Our Core Values
Community
We believe in the power of bringing people together through sport and shared experiences.
Excellence
We strive for the highest standards in event delivery and industry representation.
Innovation
We embrace new ideas and technologies to advance the mass participation events industry.
Collaboration
We work together with stakeholders to achieve outcomes greater than any one organisation could alone.
AMPSEA Board
Our Board brings together experienced leaders from across Australia's mass participation events industry.
Chris Heverin
Founding Chair
Chris Heverin is a highly respected leader in Australia's mass participation events industry and the Founding Chair of AMPSEA. As Managing Director of Initiative Sport & Events, he has delivered major sporting projects across Australia and internationally for more than three decades. Chris has also led large-scale endurance and obstacle racing portfolios, including senior leadership of Spartan Race in Australia and New Zealand. Through AMPSEA, he continues to champion, protect and grow the mass participation events sector.
Simon Allatson
Treasurer
Simon has held Chief Executive roles with several national sports organisations, including Athletics & Swimming, two AFSL businesses operating in the sports sector and the Sydney Kings NBL franchise. His vision has resulted in the creation of several legacy outcomes for the sports industry, including Grand Prix Swimming, the full integration of Paralympic swimming and athletics into their respective sports (a first in Australia) and the Sydney Marathon (now a World Marathon Major). He is currently a Director of ROI 4 Events, established specifically to support the MPE sector via aggregated commercial arrangements. Simon was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for services to sport in 2000 and was an inaugural Director of Peninsula Leisure, which constructed and operated aquatic and recreational facilities in the Frankston LGA.
Megan Grygorcewicz
Board Director
Megan Grygorcewicz is an event management professional and Director of EventMatrix, specialising in the strategic planning and delivery of impactful mass participation events. Before founding her own business, Megan worked across Australia on major events, including the Commonwealth Games, as well as with National and State Sporting Bodies and in local government. In 2023, she transitioned fully into her own venture to scale EventMatrix and expand her events leadership in Western Australia. Drawing on extensive operational experience in major on-road and complex end-to-end events, Megan brings strong expertise in risk management, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative, community-focused delivery to every project.
Craig Sheridan APM
Board Director
Craig Sheridan is a nationally and internationally recognised specialist in risk, security, crowd and emergency management, with more than a decade's experience as NSW Police Commander of the State Planning Unit, Major Events and Incident Group. He is the Managing Director of Sheridan Consulting Group, advising major organisations across Australia and globally. Craig serves as Lead Security Risk and Emergency Management Advisor to some of Australia's largest events, strengthening the sector's focus on safety, preparedness and best-practice event management.
Richard Welsh
Board Director
Richard Welsh is the Managing Director of Epic Events and Marketing, based in Tasmania. With over 20 years in the mass participation industry, he's Race Directed events such as the McGrath Launceston Running Festival, Hobart Run The Bridge, Strait Link Burnie 10, Mitchell Street Mile, Cadbury Marathon and the NT City2Surf. In 2023 he was the General Manager for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst. Richard has been on the AMPSEA board since its first year in 2020 and is also a World Athletics Technical Delegate.
Ben Muldoon
Board Director
Ben Muldoon is deeply entrenched within the mass participation sports industry, managing the expansion of the Race Roster product across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. With over 20 years of experience, Ben has a deep passion for this niche area of the sports industry, having previously directed major events including the Melbourne Marathon, Tough Mudder, and Ironman Melbourne.
Tim Oberg
Board Director
Tim Oberg is a recognised leader in Australia's mass participation sport and community wellbeing sector. As the Founder of parkrun Australia, he led the introduction and national growth of the movement from 2011, establishing more than 400 free weekly community events and engaging over one million Australians in regular physical activity. Following his departure in 2022, Tim founded RAD Run Club, a scalable, school-based running initiative designed to improve children's physical activity, resilience and wellbeing.
Geordie Miles
Board Director
Geordie Miles is a seasoned events industry professional with more than 20 years' experience spanning event management, workforce development and large-scale delivery. As Founder of Spark Event Group — Australia's largest event industry workforce provider — Geordie has built a national organisation supporting major events with skilled, reliable personnel. He is passionate about building high-performing teams, creating sustainable career pathways within the events sector, and strengthening industry capability.
Dave Budge
Board Director
Dave Budge is a Director of The Event Team with more than 30 years' experience delivering large-scale mass participation events across Western Australia. He has led iconic events including the HBF Run for a Reason, Busselton Festival of Triathlon, Dwellingup 100 MTB, Rottnest Channel Swim and the Perth Great Bike Ride, building a reputation for safe, engaging and professionally delivered experiences. Dave oversees all aspects of event delivery, from feasibility and stakeholder engagement to budgeting, risk and on-site operations. Respected by government, sponsors and suppliers, he is known for calm leadership and strong partnerships. Dave has served as a board member of AMPSEA since its inception in 2020.
Paul Humphreys
Board Director
Since 1994, Paul has worked in sports events in both a professional and volunteer capacity. He is the founder and owner of H Events, a Newcastle/Hunter Valley based sports event management company. He has been a keen competitor in triathlon, running, and general multi-sport events. A founding member of the Maitland Triathlon Club in 1999, Paul has been the club's president for 4 years and awarded Life Membership in 2014. Paul supports and works with many organisations, both commercial and not for profit, in staging professional sports events, and to date has been event director of more than 350 events. His experience as both entrant and organiser benefits all stakeholders.
Joe Stevens OAM
Board Director
Joe Stevens OAM has served as Race Director of the iconic City-Bay Fun Run since 2003, overseeing its evolution into one of South Australia's largest and most recognised community participation events and a significant charity fundraiser. With decades of experience in athletics administration, Joe has been a long-standing board representative with Athletics South Australia and has also contributed nationally as a technical manager and senior official supporting Athletics Australia's high-performance and championship events. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to athletics and community sport, Joe was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2021. He is a Life Member of the South Australian Olympic Council, Commonwealth Games SA, Athletics Australia, Athletics SA, Western Districts Athletics Club, the City-Bay Fun Run Committee, and Sport SA.
Key Milestones
AMPSEA founded in response to COVID-19 pandemic. Most mass participation events are cancelled.
Mass participation events begin to return
Inaugural AMPSEA Conference held in Sydney
2nd AMPSEA Conference held in Melbourne
3rd AMPSEA Conference held in Melbourne
4th AMPSEA Conference held in Sydney in conjunction with the TCS Sydney Marathon