Cat Phillips

Cat Phillips

Australia

Flying Disc

Introduction

A four-time The World Games athlete and dedicated advocate for athletes, Cat Phillips brings 15 years of experience in elite sports. She has competed in nine World Championships, captained multiple national teams, and spent eight seasons as a professional football player in the Australian Football League. Beyond the field, Cat is a Board Director for the AFL Players’ Association, where she has championed fair pay, improved working conditions, and expanded career support—especially for women in sport. She is also a current member of the inaugural IWGA Athletes' Committee and has held numerous leadership roles in sports governance, including as a Director of the Australian Ultimate League and Melbourne Ellipsis Ultimate. With a professional background in engineering, commercial management, and sustainability leadership, Cat is committed to increasing visibility and funding for non-Olympic sports, promoting diversity, and ensuring athletes’ voices drive change in The World Games.

Education

  • Bachelor of Science (Engineering), The University of Melbourne, 2013
  • Diploma of Mathematics, The University of Melbourne, 2014
  • Master of Engineering (Mechanical, First Class Honours), The University of Melbourne, 2016

Professional activities

  • Mechanical Engineer, Arup, 2 years 
  • Supply Planner, Commercial Operations Lead, Exxon Mobil, 3 years 
  • Commercial Advisor, Origin Energy, 1 year
  • Commercial Manager, Regional Manager, Cleanaway Waste Management, 3 years
  • Professional Athlete, Australian Football League, 7 years

Sports admin functions

  • World Flying Disc Federation Athletes Commission, 3 years 
  • The World Games Athletes Commission, 3 years 
  • Delegate, Australian Football League Players’ Association, 2 years 
  • Director, Australian Football League Players’ Association, 2 years 
  • Director, Australian Ultimate League, 3 years
  • Director, Melbourne Ellipsis Ultimate, 10 years

Memberships

  • Director - Australian Organics Recycling Association - 2024
  • Observer - Fitted for Work - 2022
  • Diversity and Inclusion Council member, Exxon Mobil - 2021
  • Australian Ultimate Tour Committee Chair, Australian Flying Disc Association - 2020

Awards

  • University of Melbourne National Scholar, 2013
  • ExxonMobil Award for Excellent, 2014 
  • University of Melbourne Lazer Law Medal for Outstanding Sporting Achievement, 2014 
  • University of Melbourne Dean’s Honour List, 2015 
  • University of Melbourne Sports Captain, 2015 
  • University of Melbourne Female Sportsperson of the Year, 2015 
  • Captain, St Kilda Australian Football League, 2021 
  • Captain, Australian World Games Flying Disc, 2022, 2025
  • Captain, Australian Women’s World Championships Flying Disc, 2020, 2024

Other activities

Volunteer, The Royal Children’s Hospital Hush Foundation

The World Games

  • 2013 – 2nd place
  • 2017 – 4th place
  • 2022 – 2nd place 

World Championships

  • 2008 Junior World Championships – 2nd place
  • 2010 Junior World Championships – 4th place
  • 2010 u24 World Championships – 1st place
  • 2022 World Club Championships – 4th place
  • 2024 World Championships – 3rd place

World Cup

-

Olympic Games

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I am passionate about advocating for athletes and ensuring they have a strong voice in shaping the future of The The World Games. With 15 years of experience as both a competitor and volunteer, I have seen firsthand the challenges athletes face—from limited funding to visibility and career support. As a four-time The World Games athlete, Board Director for the AFL Players’ Association, and incumbent IWGA Athletes Committee member, I have worked to improve pay, conditions, and opportunities—especially for women in sport. I believe in fairness, inclusion, and the power of sport to create lasting change. Sport has given me confidence, resilience, and a global community. Now, I want to give back by championing athlete well-being, increasing support for non-Olympic sports, and promoting diversity and sustainability.

Q1 Why are you running as a candidate for the IWGA AC?

To give athletes a stronger voice, improve support for their careers and well-being, and grow global opportunities for all sports in The World Games.

Q2 What experience do you have that you would bring to the IWGA AC?

I have competed at 4 editions of The World Games and 9 World Championships and am a Board Director for the AFL Players’ Association. I have also previously served on the World Flying Disc and The World Games Athletes' Committee.

Q3 Why should your fellow athletes vote for you?

I am a strong advocate for the athlete experience. I have spent 15 years competing and volunteering in sporting organizations, and I am passionate about improving conditions for all athletes in The World Games.

Q4 What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an athlete?

I was an inaugural women’s football player in Australia and led the push to create a gender-equitable Players’ Association, as well as improved pay and working conditions for female athletes.

Q5 How did you become involved in sport?

I’ve played sports for as long as I can remember. I found Flying Disc at university and fell in love with its culture of respect, hard work, and fair play.

Q6 How has sport had an impact on your life?

Sport has changed my life—it gave me confidence and resilience, and taught me about teamwork, fair play, and the kind of leadership needed to overcome tough situations.

Q7 What would be your top three priorities if you were elected?

Athlete advocacy, mental health, and career support. Boost visibility and funding for non-Olympic sports. Promote diversity, sustainability, and global access to The World Games.

Q8 Describe your personality in three words:

Open-minded, hard-working, fair

Q9 What are you passionate about?

I'm passionate about expanding sports access for young women. I've seen firsthand how it transforms lives and strengthens communities, creating more opportunities for the next generation.

Q10 Why is the athletes’ voice important to you?

Athletes at The World Games face many shared challenges around limited funding, visibility, and opportunity. Our input is vital to shaping a future that benefits us all.