Continuing to deliver Vision 2030, and standing behind its commitment to put Athletes First, the International Skating Union (ISU) is delighted to announce the appointment of Ruth Trevallion as Head of Athlete Welfare and Sustainability. This role, one of the first of its kind among International Sports Federations, marks another decisive step in the ISU’s commitment to placing athletes at the heart of everything it does and providing them with first class support not only in performance, but also in health, protection, and long-term development.

Ruth Trevallion, new Head of Athlete Welfare and Sustainability at the ISU. 

In her new position, Ruth will lead the ISU’s global athlete welfare and protection programmes, while overseeing the organisation’s sustainability initiatives – two strategic priorities at the core of the ISU Vision 2030 “Safeguarding” pillar. 

Working closely with athletes, committees, Members and international partners, she will support skaters’ physical and mental well-being throughout their sporting careers, as well as their education and career transitions. In that capacity, Ruth will serve as a trusted and confidential point of contact for skaters and the wider skating community.

Ruth will work with the ISU Medical Committee to deliver the highest medical standards at ISU events, injury monitoring, and contribute to the delivery of education initiatives on anti-doping, nutrition and safeguarding. She will also work with the ISU Athletes’ Committee to further strengthen athlete representation in governance and decision-making processes.

In addition, Ruth will work closely with the newly established Skating Integrity Unit to ensure that all athletes have access to the appropriate support should they experience harassment, abuse, or any other form of misconduct, or require assistance in any related area

As part of the ISU’s sustainability strategy, Ruth will lead the organisation’s sustainability agenda, working closely with the ISU Environmental Sustainability Working Group - comprising four athletes and two ISU Council Members - to advance impactful projects across all disciplines.

As a former elite athlete with extensive experience in athlete wellbeing, Ruth brings both professional expertise and first-hand understanding of the challenges faced in high-performance sport. She holds a Master’s degree in Sports Management and is a qualified Counsellor. Her experience spans multiple Olympic and Paralympic cycles, including roles with the Australian Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian teams, the Australian Men’s Olympic Rowing team, as well as at the Tokyo Paralympic Games. 

This appointment reflects the ISU’s broader evolution towards a more athlete-first, Member-focused and fan-centric organisation, committed to shaping a sustainable and future-ready model for ice-skating sports in line with ISU Vision 2030.