May 2, 2011

With the focus on succession planning, the position of head coach for the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel will be advertised this week.

Southern TeamCo chairperson Janet Copeland said the decision to advertise the role for the 2012 season was made with the future of the franchise in mind.

“The world of professional sport is no different to the corporate world and succession planning is a vital component of that,” she said.

While it was the Board’s policy to review the head coach position each year and decide whether to seek applications, this was the first time it had taken the opportunity to see who harboured ambitions to be at the helm of an ANZ Championship franchise.

“Strategic planning undertaken by the Board in October identified the importance of succession planning for the franchise, particularly with regard to a position as pivotal as the head coach,” Copeland said.

“A perceived lack of elite coaches coming through the ranks in New Zealand was highlighted and has certainly been of concern. The Board has a responsibility to its players, stakeholders, sponsors and the Southern community to plan for the future and investigate all potential coaching options.”

Coach Robyn Broughton’s current contract expires at the end of the 2011 season and she had been kept informed of the objectives surrounding the Board’s decision throughout the process.

“Robyn’s accomplishments as a coach are undeniable and the Southern TeamCo board unreservedly acknowledges her achievements,” Copeland said.

ENDS

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