SPARC Board Appoints New Chief Executive

28th April 2008

Media release

SPARC Board Appoints New Chief Executive

One of the most influential positions in sport and recreation has been confirmed today with SPARC’s Board announcing the appointment of Peter Miskimmin as the new chief executive.

``After an extensive and rigorous recruitment and search process both in New Zealand and offshore the Board is extremely pleased to have Peter accept this position. He has a great balance of commercial skills and Government experience as well as an outstanding knowledge of the sport and recreation sector,’’ says SPARC Chairman John Wells.

``SPARC has made significant progress since its inception seven years ago and with Peter’s appointment is very well placed to meet the ongoing challenges facing the sector.’’

Miskimmin joined SPARC in November 2006 in the role of general manager sector development after 17 years at New Zealand Post, where he was head of corporate sales and prior to that held a number of senior management roles in Sales and Commercial.

Miskimmin brings to SPARC a wealth of experience as an athlete, administrator and coach. A former captain of the New Zealand hockey team, he played 150 test matches for New Zealand and played at two Olympic Games and two Hockey World Cups and was twice named New Zealand Hockey Player of the Year.

He is a New Zealand Academy of Sport carded coach and has coached the Wellington Men’s National League Hockey Team since 2003, winning three national titles and was named Sport Wellington Coach of the Year in 2006.

Miskimmin has been a Board member of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, the New Zealand Sports Foundation and SPARC as well as Chairperson of the Athletes Commission. He has also been President of the Olympian Club of New Zealand since 2000.

``SPARC is a wonderful organisation to work for and I’m incredibly proud and honoured to be given this opportunity. I’m really looking forward to working with our partners so we get the best outcomes for all kiwis involved in sport and recreation. Whether it’s getting children active, supporting volunteers or getting behind our world class athletes – SPARC has an important role to play,’’ says Miskimmin.

``SPARC is already doing lots of great work but there are challenges ahead. This includes working with sport and recreation organisations to improve their governance and management capability, supporting community sport and recreation, identifying and developing talented pre-elite athletes and continuing to increase participation rates amongst kiwis.’’

``A really critical area of work will be forming new partnerships with other investors in the sector such as gaming trusts, community trusts and local councils to ensure we are collectively investing resources into the appropriate areas.’’

Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) is the Crown entity responsible for promoting, encouraging and supporting sport and physical recreation in New Zealand. For more details, visit www.sparc.org.nz.

ENDS

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