Former Central Football Deputy Chair Jamie Hall has been elected by unanimous vote to the position of Chairperson of Central Football, replacing the Chair of 8 years Mrs Johanna Wood who will remain a Board member until February 2019. Hawke’s Bay-based Mr Hall is well known as a former player, coach at National Youth League level, club administrator and President and has been on the Board since 2012 serving the last 4 years in the Deputy Chair’s role. 

Mr Hall commented “it’s an honour to take on the Chair role but it’s definitely bittersweet to be replacing Johanna. Johanna has guided the organisation with such expertise in her Chairperson tenure and as such the business of the Federation has been a significant benefactor from her skills, which in turn flows through to the membership. Whilst inevitably 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 NZ Football Executive Committee, which does necessitate her standing down from her Federation role in February next year”. 

In other Board changes Whanganui’s Gary MacKenzie has been appointed to the Deputy Chair’s role and Mrs Paula Walker, the Chair of Hawke’s Bay United Football, co-opted to the Board for a 2-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,” Mr Hall said. “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”.         
 

Article added: Thursday 20 September 2018