Jeff has a long involvement in football on the Gold Coast as president for 15 years and life member of the Mudgeeraba Soccer club, and 6 years as the Chairman and life member of the Board of Football Gold Coast. Jeff is the co-founder and continuing Director of the annual Gold Coast Youth Champions Cup. His 4 children all played representative football for the Gold Coast, with his 2 boys representing Queensland in both football and athletics.

Jeff is an experienced educator with over 40 years of experience as a specialist primary and secondary teacher and guidance counsellor. Jeff’s work with troubled youth was recognised through the award in 2012 of a Churchill Fellowship, which enabled him to undertake international research in the USA, UK and Canada on re-engaging disengaging youth. In 2021 Jeff was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his services to at-risk youth and youth sports.