Chair | Illawarra Hawks Foundation
Managing Director, Wakeling Holdings

Scott Wakeling brings more than two decades of senior business leadership, governance and community experience to the Illawarra Hawks Foundation.

From 2006 to 2026, Scott was Managing Director and owner of family business Wakeling Automotive, overseeing its growth into a significant privately owned automotive group employing more than 350 people and generating annual turnover in excess of $500 million. His experience spans strategic planning, governance, acquisitions, people development and building strong relationships with industry partners and the communities in which the group operated.

Scott has also held numerous industry and community leadership positions, including Chairman of the Australian Holden Dealer Council and leadership roles across national and regional automotive industry bodies. His connection to the Illawarra strengthened through City Motors Group, which employed more than 90 people locally and became a Major Sponsor of the Illawarra Hawks in 2019. 

With strong family connections to the region and basketball, Scott sees the Foundation as an opportunity to build something from the ground up that creates meaningful opportunities, strengthens the community and delivers a lasting legacy for future generations. 

Why the Foundation

“Being part of the Illawarra Hawks Foundation is an opportunity to give back to a community that has become such an important part of my family and our business. I’m excited to help build something from the ground up that creates opportunities, strengthens the community and leaves a lasting legacy for future generations.”

Director | Illawarra Hawks Foundation
General Manager – Commercial, Illawarra Hawks

Aaron Anderson brings a diverse combination of business ownership, hospitality and sports commercial experience to the Illawarra Hawks Foundation Board.

A chef by trade, Aaron's career has included working with the Illawarra Hawks and building his own local business as an owner of Bill & James Café. That background has given him first-hand experience in hospitality, small business, customer engagement and building strong relationships within the Illawarra community.

Aaron's connection with the Hawks has developed into a senior commercial leadership career with the club. He currently serves as General Manager – Commercial, leading commercial partnerships and helping connect local and national businesses with the Hawks and the broader community.

His contribution to the club has extended across a number of roles over the years, and he was recognised as the Hawks' Club Person of the Year in 2021. 

Aaron brings to the Foundation a strong understanding of corporate partnerships, fundraising, business development and community engagement, together with longstanding relationships across the Illawarra business community and a deep connection to the Hawks.

Why the Foundation

“I've seen first-hand the connection the Hawks have with this community. The Foundation gives us the opportunity to bring businesses, supporters and the community together to turn that connection into something that can make a genuine difference.”

 

Director | Illawarra Hawks Foundation
Life Member, Illawarra Hawks

Anita Bout brings a unique combination of health, education and longstanding Illawarra Hawks experience to the Foundation Board.

A physiotherapist by profession, Anita has worked across private practice and the hospital system. Her connection with the Illawarra Hawks spans almost three decades, having served as the Hawks’ physiotherapist from 1989 to 2018.

In recognition of her significant contribution and longstanding service to the club, Anita is a Life Member of the Illawarra Hawks. Through that involvement, she has developed a deep understanding of the Hawks, its people and its connection with the Illawarra community.

Anita brings particular expertise in health and wellbeing and education and youth, together with a strong desire to give back to the community and contribute to the long-term future of the Hawks. 

Why the Foundation

“A chance to give back to the community.”

Director | Illawarra Hawks Foundation
General Manager – Basketball, Illawarra Hawks

Few people have a deeper connection to the Illawarra Hawks than Mat Campbell.

Mat spent his entire professional playing career with the Hawks, making his debut in 1996 and going on to play 524 NBL games across 17 seasons. A long-time captain and member of the club's historic 2001 NBL Championship team, Mat became one of the most respected figures in Hawks history. His No. 32 jersey was retired in 2009 and today hangs in the rafters at the WIN Entertainment Centre alongside the club's other greats. 

Mat's contribution to the Hawks extends well beyond his playing career. In 2009, when the club faced the very real prospect of disappearing from the NBL, he led the Save the Hawks campaign, rallying the community and corporate support required to help keep the club alive. Since retiring, Mat has continued to serve the Hawks in senior basketball and operational roles and was part of the club's leadership during its NBL25 Championship success. He currently serves as the Hawks' General Manager – Basketball. 

After three decades of involvement with the club as a player, captain and executive, Mat brings to the Foundation an extraordinary understanding of the Hawks' history, resilience and relationship with the Illawarra community.

Why the Foundation

“The Hawks have been a huge part of my life for 30 years. The Foundation gives us an opportunity to build on everything the club means to this community and create an impact that extends well beyond basketball.”

Director | Illawarra Hawks Foundation
Senior Leader – Lighthouse

Josh Hammann has served the Illawarra community for more than 14 years through leadership at Lighthouse, where he is Senior Leader of Community & Business.

His career spans education, chaplaincy, community services and senior leadership. Josh has helped activate two local community venues, The Station and The Woolshed, and overseen significant growth of the Lighthouse Community Kitchen, enabling thousands of people to dine with dignity. He is also the author of Elite Encouragements and has volunteered extensively across community and sporting events. 

Josh has been the Illawarra Hawks Team Chaplain since 2018 and brings extensive community leadership experience to the Foundation, including service on the Lighthouse Board, Business Illawarra Regional Advisory Council and other education, community and sporting organisations. 

He is passionate about harnessing the profile and reach of the Illawarra Hawks to create ongoing community good beyond basketball, while helping develop opportunities and infrastructure that can benefit the region over the long term. 

Why the Foundation

“An opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a community that I love and believe can not just be good, but great.”

Director | Illawarra Hawks Foundation
Senior Manager People Services, Ability Options

Les Sharpe is an experienced senior executive and business leader with a career spanning people and culture, organisational strategy, business transformation and service delivery across government, education, transport and community-focused organisations.

He has held executive leadership roles within the NSW Government and not-for-profit disability services sector, with responsibility for large workforces, complex service delivery and significant budgets. Les also operates a consulting practice supporting organisations across strategy, governance, organisational design, workforce capability and change. 

A lifelong Wollongong resident, Les has been involved in sport as a player, coach and committee member across basketball, cricket and football. He is also a passionate, long-term Hawks supporter whose connection stretches from the Snakepit era through to the club's championship success. His professional and community work has consistently focused on creating opportunities, removing barriers and improving participation and inclusion. 

Les brings particular experience across business and strategy, health and wellbeing, sport and participation, and government and stakeholder relations. 

Why the Foundation

“Being part of the Illawarra Hawks Foundation provides the opportunity to contribute to something that I believe is genuinely valuable to our community — creating opportunities for people to feel included, connected and part of something.”

Director | Illawarra Hawks Foundation
Chief Operating Officer – Commercial, Illawarra Hawks

Nicole Walker brings extensive experience across business, sport, marketing and commercial operations to the Illawarra Hawks Foundation Board.

As Chief Operating Officer – Commercial of the Illawarra Hawks, Nicole plays an important role in driving the club’s commercial growth and strengthening its relationships with partners, supporters and the wider community. With extensive experience across sport, business and marketing in AFL, cricket, horse racing, golf and C-suite consulting, she brings strong commercial and strategic capability together with a genuine connection to the Illawarra and an understanding of the Hawks’ unique place within the community.

Having lived in Wollongong for the past ten years after relocating from Perth to owner operate the Wollongong Indoor Sports Centre, then on to the Wollongong Golf Club as a member of the Executive team, Nicole has developed a deep connection and understanding of the community she now calls home.  Nicole plays an important role in the continued growth and sustainability of one of the NBL’s foundation clubs and has represented the Hawks in major strategic discussions about the club and region’s future, including the proposed redevelopment of the WIN Entertainment Centre precinct.

Through her position with the Hawks, Nicole brings to the Foundation an important combination of organisational leadership, commercial thinking, brand and marketing experience, together with an understanding of how the club’s profile and reach can be harnessed to create meaningful community
impact.

Why the Foundation

“The Foundation provides an opportunity to take the strong connection the Hawks already have with our community and turn it into something that creates even more meaningful and lasting impact for people across the Illawarra.”