Board Members
Living in Ocean Grove, Carissa is passionate about the power of community sport to connect people and strengthen regional communities. With a career spanning mega sport events, including Olympic and Paralympic Games and ten seasons of international cricket at Cricket Australia, Carissa brings experience in partnerships, events, risk and strategy to the RSV Board. As Chair, Carissa is committed to ensuring sport and active recreation is accessible across regional Victoria and regional clubs and volunteers have the support and voice they need to thrive.
Having grown up in a small regional community and still living in regional Victoria, Rick Bell is passionate about the role sport plays in regional communities. Previously as Head of AFL Victoria he had primary responsibility for working with the AFL Victoria Board and growing the game across the state. Rick’s current role with Sports Facility Advisory firm, Waypoint, involves him working with a variety of sporting and government clients, advising on the planning and delivery of key sporting infrastructure. Whilst he has been fortunate to have worked professionally within the sports industry for more than 20 years, Rick has a range of volunteer experiences in local sport as a coach, committee member and various game day volunteer roles, providing a first-hand experience on the opportunities and challenges at that level.
Brendan Jones has participated in various community and representative sports since the 1980s and has provided formal leadership and coaching for over 35 years. Brendan has experience and qualifications in Organisational Development, Vocational Education and Training, Not-for-profit governance and Engineering. He is regionally employed in an executive role within the Circular Economy sector. In 2023, Brendan concluded over 12 years of participation on the South West Sport Board of Management and in his role with RSV, he plans to continue to support Regional Victorian sporting and active recreation organisations to provide modern, safe and inclusive activities that improve the social fabric and health outcomes in their communities.
Mell Millgate is a Chartered Marketer (MCIM), Certified Practising Marketer (CPM AMI), a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD) and advocate for rural and regional communities. With a career spanning more than 30 years, Mell brings extensive experience across sales, marketing, management, and consulting in industries ranging from regional businesses and organisations, to not-for-profits and global corporates. She is the Founder and Director of Starfish Marketing, where she works with organisations across regional NSW and Victoria to deliver strategic marketing that supports sustainable growth. Having spent most of her life in rural and regional communities, Mell has a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by regional organisations. Mell is a firm believer in using her skills to make a difference and has contributed to a range of community boards and committees over the years. She recognises the vital role sport plays in improving regional health, wellbeing, and economic success, and brings diverse thinking and a fresh perspective to her support for regional sport and recreation.
Dan Poynton is an accomplished leader in the sport and community development sectors, currently serving as the Executive Officer of GippSport, and is also on the Boards of Gippsland Community Foundation & Gippsland Youth Spaces alongside his role as Deputy Chair of RSV. Dan has worked across various leadership roles in leisure and recreation services, State Government and community sport, championing initiatives that enhance community participation and inclusivity in sport. His expertise includes stakeholder management, Governance and Organisational Development supporting his teams to deliver innovative programs that address socio-economic and geographical challenges to enable sport development outcomes. He is a sought-after collaborator, known for fostering partnerships that promote long-term sustainability and impact in the sector. Dan has qualifications in Business: Sports Management, NFP Governance, holds his IECL Level 1 Executive Coaching certification alongside a number of micro-credentials. Dan recently acted as RSVs Interim EO and through this period was instrumental in shaping RSV’s new strategy, which focuses on strengthening collaboration among stakeholders, fostering innovation, and addressing systemic challenges unique to regional Victoria.
Tony Caccaviello is currently serving as the Executive Officer of the Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly and is regarded as a community leader who excels at fostering community growth through strategic leadership and innovation. Tony holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting which supports broad professional experience across multiple sectors. His experience includes executive positions at local government, regional development roles within a State Sporting Organisation, economic development and tourism policy work and the delivery of assurance, audit, tax and business advisory services.
Deeply passionate about rural communities, Tony believes that sport and active recreation are among the most powerful ways to strengthen connection, wellbeing, and belonging across regional Victoria.
He also believes that hands-on experience and direct involvement in community sport are essential to understanding and supporting the regional sport system. This belief underpins his approach as both Executive Officer and RSV Board Director. He remains actively involved at the grassroots level, taking on both on-field and off-field roles with local sporting clubs to stay connected to the realities, challenges, and opportunities faced by volunteers and participants across his community.