Merna Yalda

Sport Development Officer

Merna is the Sports Development Officer at Collective Leisure where she runs Sportability Clubs and in-school programs to support people with disability to get active.

Merna has always been passionate about sports but never had a chance to participate as she grew up during conflict. When Merna came to Australia she was finally able to join in. Merna developed a passion for swimming and went from a non-swimmer to a swim teacher and lifeguard in just a few months. She joined Collective Leisure volunteering as a Sports Coach in 2020 to deliver a joint program with Special Olympics Australia to make sports accessible to children with intellectual disabilities and Autism in local schools.

Merna is keen to make sports programs more accessible and this passion is a driving force behind her work and in 2021 Merna was recognised as a DOOLEYS Community Hero for her work.

Merna is currently studying for a Bachelor of Health Science (Sport and Exercise Science) and plans to become a pediatric physiotherapist.

Merna enjoys exercising for her health, including going to the gym and CrossFit training.