New Auckland sport entity moves forward

The establishment of the new body responsible for strategic decision making and investment in sport across the Auckland region is moving forward.

With all parties embracing the change with the signing of a Heads of Agreement by the four Auckland Regional Sports Trusts (RSTs), Sport New Zealand (Sport NZ), and Auckland Council, appointments to the Establishment Board of the new entity have been completed, with the following new Board members joining Chair, leading New Zealand sport and business figure Sir John Wells.

In addition to addressing a noted regional leadership gap, other benefits of the new entity will include more uniform service delivery by the individual Auckland RSTs, provision of a single point of contact for all RST sport and recreation stakeholders operating across Auckland, and being able to leverage opportunities and investment through a single shared voice.

Sir John recently explained "forming a new Auckland Sport entity is an important and necessary step in facilitating a region wide approach to strategic decision making for Auckland's sport and recreation sector."

"Several pieces of work have looked at what's best for the Auckland sport and recreation environment, and the need for a central leadership and strategy function was a common thread."

Speaking on behalf of the Auckland RSTs, Sport Waitakere Chair Peter Meehan recently stated "the RSTs support the need for enhanced regional leadership and view the proposed model as delivering this while maintaining the critical connection with community level sport."

Sport NZ Chief Executive, Peter Miskimmin welcomed the signing of the Heads of Agreement, added "there has been consensus among the key stakeholders and a strong commitment to pave the way for the establishment of a new entity to sit across the top of Auckland's RSTs and work closely with Auckland Council and Sport NZ.

"I commend the good work the RSTs have done throughout Auckland over several years, and applaud the vision and leadership they have shown by embracing the opportunity to further improve the delivery of sport and recreation across Auckland."

The inaugural Establishment Board members appointed are:

Anthony Ford, Harbour Sport - Chair
David Kennedy, Counties Manukau Sport - Chair
Peter Meehan, Sport Waitakere - Chair
Jo Wiggins, Sport Auckland - Chair
Jim Doyle - Independent
Raewyn Lovett - Independent
Andrew McKenzie - Independent

Commenting on the Board appointments, Sir John added "assembling a Board of this calibre is very pleasing and reflects the importance of establishing the new Auckland Sport entity that will oversee strategic decision making for sport and recreation across the whole Auckland region.

"Not only do the Board members bring considerable business acumen and knowledge of the sport sector and the Auckland region to the table, collectively they cover the key required skills of change management, strategic thinking, and stakeholder management, coupled with financial and legal expertise".

The Establishment Board members will commence their roles immediately with transition to a permanent Board scheduled to take place in 2014.

The intention is for the transition to the new entity to be well underway by 1st July 2013.

For more information go to www.sportauckland.org.nz/

Image courtesy of Athletics Auckland.

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