Sydney, Australia – March 12 – Surfing NSW has announced the appointment of former World Surf League Commissioner Jessi Miley-Dyer to its Board, marking a full-circle moment for the sport as one of surfing’s most respected global leaders returns to help guide the grassroots system that launched her career.
The appointment strengthens Surfing NSW’s leadership as the organisation continues its focus on boardriding clubs, participation and the next generation of surfing talent across New South Wales.
Miley-Dyer is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern surfing governance, having spent more than a decade in senior leadership roles within the World Surf League, including serving as Commissioner of the sport’s global tour.
During her tenure she played a key role in several major shifts within the sport, including the introduction of equal prize money for men and women at the highest level of professional surfing.
Miley-Dyer came through the same New South Wales club and competition system that continues to underpin the sport across the state today. Representing Bronte Boardriders, she built an accomplished competitive career that included six years on the World Championship Tour and victories at both the WSL and ISA World Junior Championships.
Her appointment marks a full-circle moment, with a globally respected leader returning to support the grassroots system that first launched her career.
Ben Rolleston, Chair of Surfing NSW, said Miley-Dyer’s appointment reflects both the organisation’s recent transformation and its ambitions for the future of surfing in the state.
“We’ve spent the past few years rebuilding the foundations of Surfing NSW. That has meant strengthening governance, stabilising the organisation financially and putting boardriding clubs back at the centre of the sport,” Rolleston said.
“Jessi understands what excellence looks like at the very top of surfing, but she also understands where it all begins.
“She’s a product of the NSW surfing system herself, and today that grassroots system is stronger and more connected than it has ever been.”
Surfing NSW now represents more than 130 affiliated boardriding clubs across the state, forming one of the largest grassroots surfing communities anywhere in the world.
Through improved membership systems and participation insights, the organisation now has a clearer picture of how the sport is evolving across New South Wales.
“For the first time we can properly see the shape of surfing participation across the state. We can see where clubs are growing, where young surfers are coming through and how the sport is evolving,” Rolleston said.
“One of the most exciting trends we’re seeing is the growth of girls participating in club surfing, particularly in the younger age groups. Currently more than one third of our under 18 members are female.
“That insight allows us to make smarter decisions about where to invest, whether that is participation programs, development opportunities or strengthening the pathway for young surfers.”
At the centre of Surfing NSW’s strategy are boardriding clubs, which continue to act as the engine room of surfing participation and development.
“Clubs are where surfing really begins,” Rolleston said.
“They’re where kids first compete, where friendships and rivalries are formed and where the foundations of elite careers are built.
“Our role is to make sure there is a clear pathway from those local club lineups through to the global stage for surfers with the talent and ambition to pursue it.”
Miley-Dyer said the opportunity to contribute to the organisation that helped launch her own career felt like a full-circle moment.
“Joining the Surfing NSW Board is a true privilege,” Miley-Dyer said.
“Having competed through these very pathways myself, I’m thrilled to work alongside the Board to strengthen our grassroots programs and support the next generation of surfers.
“It feels like a homecoming to be able to give back to the system that shaped my own career and ensure it remains a world-class foundation for the future.”