Cat Phillips Elected to IWGA Athletes’ Committee at The World Games 2025

The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) is pleased to announce that Australian Flying Disc athlete Catherine “Cat” Phillips has been elected to the International World Games Association (IWGA) Athletes’ Committee at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China. Phillips was one of seven athletes selected from a field of 20 candidates representing sports across the IWGA membership.

The IWGA announced the list of candidates on 19 May 2025, with voting open to all accredited athletes at The World Games from 3 to 16 August 2025. The results were confirmed on 25 August 2025.

 “We are extremely proud to have a Flying Disc athlete represented on the IWGA Athletes’ Committee,” stated WFDF President Robert “Nob” Rauch. “Cat Phillips’ election is both a recognition of her personal achievements and leadership and a significant milestone for Flying Disc on the international stage. Cat had been appointed to the inaugural IWGA Athletes’ committee and, with her election now, we are confident that she will continue to provide a strong and thoughtful voice for all athletes at The World Games.”

Cat Phillips added: “It is an honor to have been elected to the IWGA Athletes’ Committee at The World Games 2025. I look forward to representing not only Flying Disc athletes but also the wider athlete community across all sports. This role is an important opportunity to ensure that athletes’ voices are heard in decisions that directly affect us, from competition environments to athlete welfare and inclusion.”

Phillips has a distinguished record of international competition, representing Australia in four editions of The World Games (2013, 2017, 2022, and 2025), winning two silver medals. A dual-sport athlete, she also had also played in the AFL Women’s (AFLW), Australia’s national semi-professional Australian rules football league, from 2016 to 2024. Beyond her athletic achievements, she has served in leadership roles with athlete-focused organizations, including the Australian Football League Players’ Association, the Australian Ultimate League, and WFDF, further underlining her capacity to represent athlete interests in governance. The 34 year old is a Regional Manager for Cleanaway Waste Management. She earned a MEng and BSc from the University of Melbourne.

The IWGA Athletes’ Committee plays an essential role in strengthening athlete representation across the Association. Acting as a bridge between competitors and the IWGA leadership, the Committee ensures that athletes’ opinions, needs, and interests are included in key decision-making processes. It provides guidance to the IWGA Executive Committee on matters such as athlete welfare, competition regulations, and the overall conditions under which athletes compete, including accommodation and transport. In addition, the Committee works to advance gender equality, inclusion, and equity within The World Games. Once formed, the Committee will elect a Chair, who will represent athletes directly in IWGA Executive Committee meetings. Cat’s election ensures that Flying Disc athletes are directly represented in this important IWGA body, contributing to the promotion, growth, and visibility of the sport within the global multi-sport community.