Media Release

29 November 2004

From: Ross Dallow, Chairman Trusts Stadium

Trusts Stadium Secures Future Chief Executive

Chairman of the Waitakere Trusts Stadium announced today that the Trustees had secured Yachting New Zealand’s Chief Executive, Simon Wickham to take the new position of Trusts Stadium Chief Executive.

“We’re very excited about the opportunity to secure this young star in the sports industry who we believe will suit the bright and vibrant Trusts Stadium we recently opened” commented Dallow.

“The new role needs a dedicated hand to lead us through the early stages of settling in the new facility and taking it forward over the coming years as it grows to become the jewel in West’s crown. In Simon we have recruited someone with skills and experience in sports management and the enthusiasm required to ensure this wonderful facility gets the best possible results for the people of Waitakere and our key stakeholders”.

Wickham brings to the Stadium 10 years experience in sport management having formerly worked for the Hillary Commission in Junior Sport and as Operations Manager for Sport Manawatu (Manawatu’s regional sports trust) and as Secondary School Sport Director for the Manawatu, Horowhenua, Rangitikei regions.

Trained in Physical Education at Otago University, Wickham has also completed a Bachelor of Science at Otago and post-graduate papers in Business Communication at Massey University.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity to join this awesome facility out West” commented Wickham. “The Trustees have done an amazing job raising the funds required to make this dream a reality for Waitakere and I feel honored to have been invited to come aboard as Chief Executive and help them develop the dream further”.

Wickham will serve out his notice period at Yachting New Zealand and compete in the Two-man Around North Island Yacht Race before joining the Stadium on March 7.

In the interim period a care-taker Chief Executive will be appointed to manage the Stadium's affairs. “We have asked Graham Coxhead to provide guidance in the interim period to ensure we continue the momentum we already have behind the Stadium” comments Dallow. Coxhead has considerable management experience having led Metro Water and begins immediately.

ENDS

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