Gareth Moore-Jones Joins New Zealand YMCA National Office

The National Office of the YMCA of New Zealand has announced the appointment of Gareth Moore-Jones to the developmental role of National Sport and Recreation Manager.

According to YMCA National Chief Executive Ric Odom, "Gareth brings a wealth and diversity of experience that will add significantly to the capacity and profile of the YMCA in the recreation, sport and outdoors sectors.

"We are delighted Gareth has agreed to join our team. His will be a key role in our organisation and he will work with YMCA staff and partner organisations to further strengthen and develop our delivery of sport, recreation and outdoors programmes to the communities of New Zealand."

Moore-Jones is currently Director of Ideaus Ltd, a futures consultancy, and is a founding Director of consultancy the Global Leisure Group Ltd.

Moore-Jones draws on nearly 20 years' experience in the community planning and recreation industry, including a decade as a consultant. His career contributes significantly to his wealth of expertise across a wide range of environments and enables Moore-Jones to fully understand 'work at the coal-face' positions including local government, community events coordinator for economic development, as a former Chief Executive of the New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA), and now as a Recreation and Community Planning consultant.

Over the last decade Moore-Jones has been working with many agencies such as territorial authorities, Universities, DHBs and not-for-profits trusts on planning their contribution to community and is therefore well-versed in matters of long-term planning, community outcomes and bridging the gap between 'want' and 'resource'. Moore-Jones has worked extensively with territorial authorities, DHB, PHO, Universities, local clubs, RSOâs and Sports Trusts both project specific and helping to build internal capacity. Recently he introduced a coaching/mentoring component of the business to help improve the level of expertise within the wider industry.

Moore-Jones is a Chairman of Futures Thinking Aotearoa (NZ Futures Trust), an independent futures think-tank and is working towards a framework allowing clients to plan their sustainable futures by working through possible, probable and preferred future scenarios. He is also a Board member of the New Zealand Recreation Association and a Trust member for the HEHA National Network Establishment Board (NEB) based in Wellington.

Moore-Jones has presented at International Congresses and is a regular contributor to national and regional community recreation planning seminars and workshops.

Moore-Jones is a recipient of the Mark Mitchell Memorial Award for excellence and outstanding personal contribution to the wider recreation industry. In being presented with this prestigious award Gareth was cited for his ability to create teams, provide a vision and enable diverse groups to work toward that common vision.

For more information go to www.ymca.org.nz

2nd February 2009 - NZRA AND YMCA COMBINE FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT