about

Nikki Burger is the founder and Director of Life Sport Journey, a personalised sport consultancy.  She is a dedicated Sport's Consultant with more than two decades experience and expertise in sports administration.

Nikki is focused on making a valued contribution to sport and community

Nikki works with sport organisations at a strategic level to develop capability and capacity, inspiring and energising peak performance.  She has a deep and practical knowledge of good governance and policy development, sport participation and performance pathways and is committed to understanding the rapidly evolving environment in which sport is delivered, harnessing opportunities for clients.  Nikki is passionate about organisational development; underpinned by a positive culture of integrity and inclusion, social responsibility and financial sustainability. 

Nikki has worked with a large cross-section of sport industry stakeholders

  • National and state sport organisations
  • Sport clubs and associations
  • Local council
  • Universities
  • Board members
  • Facility managers
  • Schools
  • Athletes of all ages
  • Parents
  • Officials

Recent leadership

From 2015-2017, Nikki undertook the General Manager role with the 2017Australian Maccabiah Team. During the 2 1/2 year project, Nikki was responsible for the operational management of the largest ever and most successful Australian delegation to the Maccabiah Games in Israel.  The team of 465 athletes and 101 officials amassed a total of 24 gold, 50 silver and 41 bronze. The care taken in strategic recruitment, volunteer and stakeholder relationship building and the steady and deliberate focus on developing sound governance and a strong team culture, were highlights. 

A bit of history

Prior to establishing Life Sport Journey, Nikki was CEO of Melbourne Vicentre Swimming Club, one of Australia’s largest, high-performing swimming clubs.  From 2008-2012, Nikki steered the Club's growth and development at all levels, more than doubling membership and annual turnover.  During this period, Nikki managed and coordinated staff and activities across five facilities. The Club was recognised as a ‘Swimming Australia Centre of Excellence,’ providing a comprehensive pathway from learn-to-swim to Olympic performance.  Nikki developed administration systems and processes to support the Club's growth and was responsible for financial management, policy development, stakeholder relationship management, successful funding and sponsorship's and marketing.

Prior to her role with Melbourne Vicentre Swimming Club, Nikki held the Swimming Victoria Administration & Communications Coordinator role and successfully developed and implemented the organisation’s administration systems, digital online membership services and e-communication strategy.

After hours

In addition to her career in sport, Nikki supports a variety of community roles and projects. Nikki is personally committed to a healthy, active lifestyle.  She swims regularly, competing in both pool and open water events.  Nikki has two daughters, Marni and Tess.  

Qualifications

  • Graduate Certificate of Business (Sport Management) (Deakin University) (2008)
  • Bachelor of Arts (Interior Design) (Honours) (RMIT) (1990)
  • Bachelor of Planning and Design (Melbourne University) (1988)

Australian Sports Commission - Women Leaders in Sport

  • 2018 Women Leaders in Sport (Grant Recipient) - I am looking forward to the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Foundations of Directorship courses and the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) leadership workshop which I will complete in 2018 as a grateful recipient of an ASC 2018 Women Leaders in Sport grant.

Community

Sporting achievements

  • 2016 Rottnest Channel - team event (silver)
  • 2013 Australian Maccabiah Masters Swimming Team (a few medals)
  • 2005 Australian Maccabiah Open Swimming Team

testimonials

"Working with Nikki is a true partnership.  Wyndham Netball would not have a clear path and plan to work towards if it were not for the effort and guidance that Nikki put into our strategic plan.  Nikki put in the all important time at the beginning to ask the questions, talk to the people and get a clear understanding of where we were at and where we wanted to be heading.  This was critical in the delivery of a strategic plan that truly reflected our organization and set down a practical path for a community organization with rapid growth on the horizon." -- Phil Morley, Board Member Wyndham Netball Association

“Nikki managed to succinctly analyse the problem that we wished to solve, pull together a coherent outline and project process from many disparate sources of information, convene individuals with a wide range of interests into a focussed process with the end result being an outcome that will form the template for future action. All done on time, in budget and with a smile!!!.” -- Martin Doulton, Director of Monash University Sport

​"Nikki is a skilled professional with exceptional communication and problem solving skills. She has, in a very limited time frame provided a very comprehensive, detailed and insightful report. I would highly recommend Nikki for any research and project management in the field of sports management and development." -- Kevin Kreiner, Manager Disability Services at Jewish Care

​"Nikki's attention to detail and ability to manage projects of wide scope are second-to-none. Her knowledge of sports administration best-practice procedures is excellent and I would never hesitate to recommend Nikki for any role, no matter how challenging or great. Nikki is beyond competent and will go to great lengths to ensure excellence in her work." -- ​Marieke D'Cruz (nee Guehrer), Olympian