Central Football have announced a pair of personnel changes with Donald Piper stepping up to become Chief Operations Manager for the federation and Jamie Hall being elected by unanimous vote to the position of Chairperson.

Previously Deputy Chair of Central Football, Hall replaces the chair of eight years, Johanna Wood, who will remain a board member until February of next year.

Hawke’s Bay-based Hall is well known in football circles throughout the region as a former player, coach and club administrator. He has been on the board since 2012 and has served in the role of deputy chair for the past four years.

“It’s an honour to take on the Chair role but it’s definitely bittersweet to be replacing Johanna,” Hall says.

“Johanna has guided the organisation with such expertise in her Chairperson tenure and the business of the federation has been a significant benefactor from her skills, which in turn flows through to the membership. Whilst being lost to the board of Central Football, our sport is fortunate that it will still benefit from Johanna’s qualities through her 2018 election to the New Zealand Football Executive Committee, which does necessitate her standing down from her federation role in February.”

In other board changes, Whanganui’s Gary MacKenzie has been appointed to the Deputy Chair’s role and Paula Walker, Chair of Hawke’s Bay United Football, co-opted to the board for a two-year term.

“Gary’s appointment to Deputy Chair was also unanimous which demonstrates the united front the board has in the organisation’s governance succession plans,” Hall says.

“Co-opting Paula is seen of strategic importance in terms of accountability to Central Football’s investment in the national league business and aligning the national league pathway whilst also maintaining gender diversity with the impending departure of Johanna.

“The board are committed to attaining gender equality and attracting increased cultural diversity around the board table, as well as ensuring our regions are fairly represented. Such inclusiveness and balance are an important part and remain key focuses of Central Football’s board succession plans.”

Meanwhile, Piper is set to become the new Chief Operations Manager, widening the scope of his incumbent position as Operations Manager for the Manawatu region. The new role will see him take over many of the senior management responsibilities of current Federation Operations and Game Development Manager Darren Mason, who in turn will take over as Central Football’s Chief Executive Officer on October 1.

“In the two-and-a-half years he has been with Central Football, Donald has proven to be an invaluable member of the team and this opportunity is richly deserved,” says outgoing Chief Executive John McGifford.

“Donald’s incredible passion for and the respect he holds in the game makes him the ideal person for this role and it’s very rewarding for the organisation to be able to provide this pathway for him within the business. Donald’s new role will see him more closely involved in setting and achieving the strategic direction of Central Football, which is something we know he will make an enormous contribution to.

“Donald’s appointment is also the next completed stage in a transition of roles within the federation with myself moving to a Special Project position, while Darren Mason will take up the Chief Executive responsibilities. The last step in this structure transition will be to appoint an Operations Manager for Hawke’s Bay which will fulfil the remainder of the responsibilities of the former Federation Operations and Game Development position. It is expected that this appointment will be made by November.”

Piper is excited to take on his new role and is looking forward to getting underway. 

“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to further my career in the exciting and vibrant organisation that Central Football is,” he says.

“I am confident that the knowledge and experience I have gained over the last two-and-a-half years will hold me in good stead for the new position and, in turn, hold the federation in good stead for the future. I look forward to being part of the senior management team and working alongside the Chief Executive Officer and the operations team as we plan for 2019 in accordance with the strategic direction set by the board.”

Story courtesy of Central Football 

Article added: Wednesday 26 September 2018