Meet The Team

These are the legends working behind the scenes to make your Urban Rec experience top-tier. From scheduling games and wrangling venues, to answering your DMs and hyping up your league night – this crew is the heartbeat of everything we do.

They don’t wear capes (most of the time), but they’re the reason your sport is social, seamless, and seriously fun. Say g’day next time you see them on the sidelines! 👋

MADELEINE WILKIE, MANAGING DIRECTOR

Madeleine kicked off Urban Rec in Sydney back in 2012 after spotting a gap between competitive sport and casual social fun. Inspired by her time in Vancouver, she brought the concept down under – and hasn’t looked back. Fast forward to today, she’s grown Urban Rec into a national movement with 9 locations across Australia, all flying the flag for fun, inclusive, and low-pressure sport.

Not an elite athlete (she’ll be the first to tell you), but a big believer in the power of sport to build mateship, boost confidence, and bring people together. Changing the way Aussies play sport? She’s already doing it.

DANNY SKIDMORE, GENERAL MANAGER

If you’ve played in an Urban Rec league in the last decade, chances are you’ve felt the ripple effects of Danny’s legendary energy. Originally from England, Danny’s been with us since 2016 – starting as an Event Host and now running the show as our GM across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

A die-hard Roosters supporter and lover of all things sport, Danny lives for a good vibe, a packed sideline, and a post-game bevvy. He’s passionate about making events that are more than just organised – they’re unforgettable. His secret sauce? Big heart, bigger energy, and a deep belief that sport should be fun, social, and for everyone.

elias ghannoum, business manager

Elias is the person with the critical brain behind Urban Rec’s smooth operations. Plucked from league hosting and quickly rising to Business Manager, they oversee everything from venues and marketing to business development across Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.

Their engineering mind makes them a natural at problem-solving and fine-tuning every aspect of the business. When they’re not managing the nuts and bolts of our operations, you’ll find Elias spinning tunes as a part-time DJ or soaking up the energy at bush doofs. A perfect mix of brains, beats, and good vibes.

James Calanchini, League manager

Born and bred in Melbourne, James is as sports-mad as they come. A long-time member of the Melbourne Cricket Club, he’s been living and breathing cricket and AFL since day dot. With a true passion for getting people involved and active, James brings big energy to every game night.
Don’t be fooled by his laid-back vibe, this bloke’s no stranger to hard work (ask him about his time in the abattoir). Whether he’s setting up cones or settling scores, James is all about creating epic nights and keeping the good times rolling.