Sport has always had the power to bring people together – but what happens when our biggest clubs use that influence to drive real, measurable community change?
In this webinar, we’ll explore the pioneering work of the North Queensland Cowboys and the Cowboys Community Foundation, and how sport can act as a powerful anchor for social impact. From supporting education pathways for young people in remote communities to building trust with families across North Queensland, the NRL Cowboys House shows what’s possible when community programs are backed by meaningful impact measurement.
Join us with Fiona Pelling, Chief Executive Officer of Cowboys Community Foundation, to hear the story behind the work, the lessons learned, and why more sporting organisations are now moving toward measuring and demonstrating their impact with data.
We’ll also be joined by Mitchell Malone, Managing Director of Torch Advisory Group, who bring deep experience working alongside organisations to strengthen strategy, partnerships, and long-term impact both in Australia and across the globe. Mitch will share perspectives on why measuring and demonstrating impact is becoming increasingly important across the sport and cultural sectors, and what this means for organisations looking to lead with purpose and accountability.
Our speakers will share:
- How the North Queensland Cowboys became a trusted anchor for community change in North Queensland
- The story behind NRL Cowboys House and its impact on education pathways for young people in remote communities
- The role of data and impact measurement in strengthening programs, storytelling, and funding outcomes
- Why sport is uniquely positioned to drive social impact, and why momentum is growing across the sector
- Practical lessons for organisations looking to better measure, communicate, and scale their impact.
Who should attend
- Not-for-profits and community organisations delivering place-based or youth-focused programs, or seeking to measure the impact of their programs
- Sporting clubs and foundations looking to strengthen their community impact and reporting
- Philanthropic and corporate funders seeking greater visibility of outcomes and impact
- Government and sector leaders interested in innovative, community-led approaches to improving outcomes.
The session will conclude with a live Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from our panel.
Webinar details:
- Date: Thursday 23 April 2026
- Time: 12.30pm Queensland/Sydney time
- Location: Online Teams Webinar only
- Format: Presentation followed by Q/A
Speakers:
- Fiona Pelling – Chief Executive Officer, Cowboys Community Foundation
- Mitchell Malone – Managing Director, Torch Advisory
- Kristi Mansfield – Founder & CEO, Seer Data & Analytics
