About Us
Inner Sanctum Sports Management is a company founded by women for women who champion for the rising generation of female athletes. With over four decades of collective wisdom navigating the realms of media, marketing, sport and strategic partnerships, we bring an unparalleled depth of professional expertise interwoven with the personal insights gained from our own journeys.
As successful women, we've walked the path you're on, and we're here to impart the hard-earned lessons from our own triumphs and challenges, paving the way for a future where female athlete’s dreams soar beyond boundaries.
We are driven by a profound passion to guide female athletes towards realising their full potential. We are the steadfast guardians of their inner fire, nurturing their growth as athletes, entrepreneurs, and trailblazers in a world that is finally recognising the immense power of women in sport.
Meet the Team
Clare Starling
Co-Founder & Director
As a mother of two young girls, Clare is passionate about championing women in sports and creating equitable opportunities. With over two decades of strategic leadership experience driving digital transformations and pioneering innovative marketing strategies at major media brands like News Corp Australia, Clare brings invaluable business acumen to Inner Sanctum Sports Management, along with a formidable network of corporate contacts across various industries.
Her distinguished career was hallmarked by spearheading complex commercial initiatives that significantly enhanced profitability and audience engagement. Now, Clare channels this expertise towards empowering the next generation of female athletes.
Clare understands the unique challenges women face in professional sports. Drawing from her own journey navigating male-dominated corporate environments, she is an unwavering advocate for her clients. Clare is passionate in providing strategic guidance to build sustainable, financially rewarding careers.
Her holistic approach, rooted in authenticity and business pragmatism, equips athletes with the tools to command their narratives, cultivate influential brands, and inspire future generations.
Nicole Comerford
Co-Founder & Director
With a passion for empowering female athletes that burns as fiercely as her competitive spirit, Nicole brings a unique blend of sporting prowess and business acumen to her role as Co-Founder and Director of Inner Sanctum Sports Management.
A former competitive swimmer and water polo representative for Papua New Guinea and Australia, Nicole understands the dedication and sacrifice required to excel in the athletic arena. Her own journey as an athlete has instilled in her an unwavering commitment to championing the dreams and aspirations of the next generation of female sporting talents.
Complementing her athletic background is Nicole's impressive 20-year career driving growth and profitability through strategic leadership roles in media, marketing and sport. Her extensive experience at News Corp Australia & Queensland Rugby Union, where she spearheaded product strategy, brand development, and high-stakes sponsorship negotiations, has honed her ability to navigate complex corporate environments and secure lucrative opportunities for her clients.
With an unparalleled combination of athletic grit and business savvy, Nicole is poised to elevate the careers of her clients to unprecedented heights, shattering glass ceilings and propelling the next generation of female sporting icons to the pinnacle of success.
What’s in our name
For every athlete, there exists a sacred inner sanctum - a private realm shielded from the outside world where bonds of sisterhood are forged through shared sacrifice and pursuit of excellence. It is a hallowed space within locker rooms and training rooms where vulnerabilities are exposed, raw emotions vented, strategies born, and wise coaches impart wisdom that shapes mental fortitude as much as physical prowess.
This inner sanctum is a refuge where the armor of bravado falls away, allowing truths and secrets to be whispered in hushed tones. To outsiders, it remains an enigmatic world they can never fully grasp. But for those who have bled, sweat and fought together, the inner sanctum is a fortress of trust, camaraderie and unwavering support - the embodiment of the true spirit of athleticism.