Member Spotlight: Stacey French

Stacey’s story is grounded in connection, shaped by experience, and driven by a deep belief in the power of sport to bring people together.

Growing up in Tasmania, Stacey was always in motion. “You wouldn’t see me without a ball in my hand,” she shares. From netball and cross country to AFL and basketball, sport quickly became more than just a pastime. It became a space for belonging, friendship, and purpose. Those early experiences led her to pursue a career that blended her love of sport with storytelling, completing a Bachelor of Journalism with a Minor in Public Relations and building her career across organisations including the NRL and the Sunshine Coast Daily.

For Stacey, sport has always been about people. “The community connections are more like family,” she says. “The power to communicate, achieve and impact change through sport provides a platform to influence others in a meaningful way.” That belief has guided her journey, from grassroots initiatives to international pathways.

One of her proudest moments came early in her career, helping to establish one of the first girls regional AFL representation championships on the Sunshine Coast. “At the time it felt like I was just doing my job,” she reflects. “But seeing the flow on effect into the AFLW for those players is something I’m immensely proud of.” More recently, working in the Oceania region with basketball, she has witnessed the growth of women’s sport on a global stage. “Seeing the Cook Islands U17 women win their first match and a bronze medal at a FIBA event was incredible. To help share those stories for the next generation is a privilege.”

Leadership has been a constant thread throughout Stacey’s career, even if she did not always recognise it at the time. “The words leadership and management never really resonated with me,” she admits. “I didn’t see myself as doing either of those things.” It was through the influence of strong mentors, particularly women who backed her early, that her perspective began to shift. “Their belief taught me more than any course or book ever could.”

Joining Empowered to Lead came at a pivotal moment. After returning to work following the birth of her child, Stacey found herself moving through the motions. “I was just working and surviving without really thinking about my why,” she says. “This program gave me the opportunity to reconnect with who I am and why I do what I do.”

What she found was more than she expected. “I thought I would just sit back and try not to speak too much,” she laughs. “But learning to sit in silence, to reflect, and to really listen was one of the biggest challenges and the biggest gifts.” As the weeks progressed, she noticed a shift not just in herself, but in the group. “Seeing people take a breath, be brave and unmute, that was powerful. Spaces without judgement are rare, and this was one of them.”

Through the program, Stacey began to recognise something she had overlooked for years. “I’ve been leading my entire career,” she says. “Just in a more subtle way.” That realisation was transformative. “Knowing you’ve been making an impact, even when you didn’t label it as leadership, that was huge for me.”

Today, that awareness shapes how she shows up both professionally and personally. She leads with intention, grounded in authenticity and supported by the people around her. “Self doubt is always there,” she says honestly. “But surrounding yourself with the right people who back you in makes all the difference.”

Looking ahead, Stacey is focused on continuing to grow within the global sporting landscape, particularly through her work with FIBA. Inspired by leaders who create space for others to thrive, she is committed to doing the same. “To see women paving the way and lifting others up is something I don’t take for granted. It’s something I want to continue.”

She is also passionate about what the future of sport can look like for women and girls. “We need more than visibility. We need real action and support behind it,” she says. “And we need everyone, including men, to show up and back women through their actions every day.”

At its core, Stacey’s story is about redefining what leadership looks like and owning it fully.

“Playing like a girl isn’t a weakness,” she says. “It’s a strength. And leading like me? That’s a mix of grit, grace, and a whole lot of heart.”

Through sport, through leadership, and through community, she continues to show that impact does not always have to be loud to be powerful.

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