Team
Stirling and James have known each other for over 20 years, initially meeting in 1997 playing for Gordon Rugby Club (Sydney, Australia).
They have aligned values and purpose, complementary strengths and skill sets, and a significant combined global network in sport, financial services and technology.
They have selected a team of experts to represent XV Capital around the world. Many of these relationships were established over a decade ago and all are based on trust and respect – both personally and professionally.
Building a highly Cohesive team is important to XV Capital and our combined shared experience both within XV Capital and from past external experiences, allows us to operate effectively and perform across multiple regions.

Stirling Mortlock AM
FOUNDING PARTNER
- Former International Rugby Player
- 140 Super Rugby Caps
- 80 Wallaby Caps
- Wallaby Captain 2006-2010
- Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
- Treasurer – The Rugby Club Foundation
- Board Member – US RWC Bid Partnership LLC
- Director – Cohesion Capital Pty Ltd
- Former Board Member – Rugby Union Players Assoc.
- Former Board Member – Melbourne Rebels
- Financial Services
- Alternatives / Technology

James Godfrey
FOUNDING PARTNER
- Former Representative Rugby Player
- Board Member – US RWC Bid Partnership LLC
- Board Member – NSW Positive Rugby Foundation
- Director – Cohesion Capital Pty Ltd
- Former Major League Rugby – Board of Governors
- Former Chair – MLR RWC Committee
- Athlete Welfare
- Sports Administration
- Financial Services
- Human Resources
- Education

Rick Burton
CONSULTANT – NORTH AMERICA
- Former League Commissioner
- Former CMO – U.S. Olympic Committee
- Sports Industry Author, Columnist
- Professor of Sports Management, Syracuse University
- Liaison to NCAA, Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
- Sports Administration
- Sponsorship
- Advertising
- Athlete Welfare
- Education

MARC STCHERBINA
CONSULTANT – NORTH AMERICA
- Former representative level and 12 year professional rugby player
- National level youth rugby coach
- Executive leadership coach
- Athlete welfare coach
- Leadership workshop facilitation
- Rugby commentator for CBS, ESPN, FOX Sports USA
- Major League Rugby TV Show Host for FOX Sports USA
- Media skills coach
- Founder of Winning EQ leadership consulting
- Emotional intelligence education
- Same Here Global Mental Health Alliance member

Josh Philpot
CONSULTANT – UK/ EUROPE
- Board Member – AFL Europe
- Sports administration
- Coaching/ coach education
- Commercial consultant
- Sponsorship
- Sport, entertainment, and venue consultant
- Digital, data, and technology consultant
- Startups and scale ups
- Investment

Rob Smith
CONSULTANT – APAC
- Former IMG, Rugby Australia, SEL, GroupM and CSM
- Former Director of Sport NSW
Director of Surfing NSW - Director of FanEx
- Sport, media and entertainment lawyer
- Commercial Executive
- Sports administration
- Marketing
- Business development
- Talent management
- Presently based in NZ