Driving change, on and off the court

As Executive General Manager of the UC Capitals, Christy leads one of Canberra’s most loved sporting teams with passion, purpose, and pride. A former Cap herself and proud Queanbeyan local, she brings nearly two decades of experience in sport management to her dream role. Guided by a commitment to equality and community, Christy is helping shape a stronger future for women’s basketball in Canberra and beyond.

Can you share your career journey so far and how it brought you to your current role?

I’ve always loved sport – playing, watching, coaching – really just being involved in it. So when I finished high school, I decided to study a degree in Sports Management at the University of Canberra. I’ve continued my studies over the years and also completed a Graduate Certificate in Marketing at UC, a Graduate Diploma in International Sports Management, and an MBA (both at Southern Cross University).

My first roles were in community and event coordination, and over time I worked across different areas of sport — marketing, partnerships, operations and leadership — which gave me a really broad understanding of how clubs and leagues run.

Eventually, that experience led me to the Melbourne Boomers, where I became General Manager, and later to the WNBL, where I had the privilege of leading the league as Head of the WNBL during a time of massive growth.

That experience really cemented my purpose — I’m passionate about bridging the inequalities that exist for women in sport – both on and off the court. 

Today, I’m the Executive General Manager of the UC Capitals, and I get to combine everything I love: growing a professional women’s team, connecting with our community (my local community), supporting athletes, and creating commercial opportunities that help the club thrive.

As a former Cap myself, a local (Queanbeyan), and a lover of basketball, I’m now in my absolute dream job. But I don’t take that for granted – I feel privileged to be part of it, and I’m pushing very hard to achieve what we’re setting out to achieve. I recognise I’m a custodian of this great Club for a period of time, and I want to ensure it’s in a stronger position when I leave it than when I arrived.

What advice do you have for the next generation of women in business?

I’ve worked in sport for nearly 20 years, and more often than not, I’ve been the only woman in the room. Gender balance behind closed doors still has a very long way to go.

So for women in business, at all levels, my advice is to have strong female supporters and mentors, speak up when gender balance in the room isn’t right, and continue to strive to make an impact.

We’re all paving the way for those coming behind us, and although it’s hard, we have to keep fighting.

UC Capitals

• E: [email protected]
• T: 0412 653 000
• LinkedIn: Christy Collier-Hill

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