Al Baxter
Architect, Company Director, TV Sport Commentator and Former Australian Wallaby
Al is an ex-Rugby Union international player and registered architect with extensive knowledge in stadia, sports master planning, elite training facility, convention and exhibition design having worked both in Australia and internationally.
Al played Rugby Union for the Wallabies (Australia) and Waratahs (NSW) from 1999 to 2011 and at the time of his retirement was Australia’s most capped test prop after having played in two World Cups (Australia 2003 and France 2007) and two Super Rugby grand finals in 2005 and 2008. Before beginning his career as a rugby player, Al completed degrees in both Architecture and Science at the University of Sydney and while playing professional rugby worked part-time with a national architecture firm in Sydney.
Al’s time as a professional sportsman, combined with his design expertise, makes him uniquely qualified to create venues loved by players and spectators alike. Al led the team on the design of Commbank Stadium (formerly Bankwest Stadium), as well as the design of the NSW Rugby League Centre of Excellence at Sydney Olympic Park. Al has also been involved in a number of training facilities including the AIS High Performance Centre, St George Illawarra Dragons Training Facility, West Coast Eagles Training Facility and has led a number of master plans including the Jindabyne Sport and Recreation Centre integrating the Australian National Winter Olympic Training Centre with significant education and community sport facilities. Al also led the master plan for the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, the RAS of NSW at Sydney Olympic Park, and the master plan of Blacktown International Sports Park.
Since his retirement from professional rugby, Al has also taken on several Board roles including as a Director of the Australian Steel Institute, a Director of the Cauliflower Club Rugby Charity and as the President of NSW Rugby Union. Al has also previously served as a Trustee on the NSW Government Statutory Authority Sydney Living Museums and was a Director on the Rugby Union Players Association.