Ryders Board

Fiona Wells - Chair & Finance Director 

I've been involved with dragon boating for 23 years and I'm passionate about growing the sport. As a founding member of Ryde DBC, I'm really enjoying bringing dragon boating to the Ryde Community. I've held numerous club Board roles ranging from Chair, Vice President, Recruitment Director and Finance Director in three different dragon boat clubs. I was also elected as the Administration Director for a year on the Dragon Boats NSW Board. In each position I've enhanced Club Governance and streamlined processes, drawing on my experience as a team leader, business analyst, internal auditor and Bookkeeper. 

I am also keen to seek learning opportunities and was a successful applicant in the SportAus Women Leaders in Sport skilling program with a series of 7 weekly workshops in May/June 2022. I also was a scholarship recipient in Aug 2022 with the Sport NSW Female Leaders – Get on Board Program, a pilot program targeted at aspiring female leaders. The program combined the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Foundations for Not-For-Profit Directors Course and Board Readiness Workshop. I am enjoying putting these great learning opportunities into practice with our Board and Club.

I'm also a Dragon Boat Coach, Strength & Conditioning Coach and Sweep. I enjoy the representative pathway of dragon boating having been in 10 Australian teams over a 20 year period and most NSW teams in that period. The friendships made in the dragon boating community and podium finishes are both wonderful highlights. 

Wayne Davison - Operations Director 

Bio coming soon 

Gabriella Pirozzi - Administration Director

Since taking up Dragon boating 5 years ago, it has become a big part of my life, and what started as a sport has turned into so much more - great friendships, plenty of laughs, a bit of competition, bringing the Community together and being part of a fantastic team, this is what makes our club so special.

I enjoy being involved with Ryders and everything that comes with being part of the club.

I'm looking forward to being part of the Board, giving back to the club, supporting our members and helping Ryders continue to grow and keep enjoying the sport.

Emma-Louise Davison - Recruitment Director 

Growing up I did alot of sport and strength training and when I moved to Australia in February 2022, I only knew 3 people - very lonely. In September 2022 my partners colleague invited us to Rydes Come and Try session. I was hooked immediately! And now you can't get me off the boat :) 

It is a fantastic, competitive and social sport for all ages, genders and abilities. It was, at first a great way to make friends, and after my first regatta it definitely brought back the competitive streak! 
 

George Dimech - Head Coach

I have been in sports all my life. I played Touch footy and Squash for many years. After my knee injury I was told to hang up my boots and not do footy anymore. I was upset! But I saw an opportunity to get in a boat and paddle at Penrith, so I got in and was immediate put up at the front of the boat and I loved it.

I have been in the sport of dragon boating for 25 years now, spending 11 years in a club in the Penrith LGA and 8 years in Canada Bay LGA. I have competed at club level and in NSW representative teams competing at the Australian Championships. I have also been selected in 8 Australian teams competing at World Championships with gold medal races at most of these events as well as divisional teams captain and honoured to be chosen as Australian team captain in 2025. I am a qualified Dragon Boat Coach, Strength & Conditioning Coach and Dragon Boat Sweep (boat steerer). 

I am passionate about the sport, and I love to inspire people and to be inspirational to others.

"Train people well enough so they can leave. Treat them well enough so they don't want to."