ANZ Championship General Manager steps down

Having overseen the establishment of the highly-successful ANZ Championship featuring elite netball teams from Australia and New Zealand, General Manager Tony Holding is handing over the reins.

Holding, who was appointed ANZ Championship General Manager in May 2007, believes the timing is right for a new manager to take the competition to another level.

“I am very proud of what we have achieved in the first year of the ANZ Championship and am confident that the future is very bright for this wonderful ground-breaking competition,” Holding said.

“The ANZ Championship brings together the best players in the world in action every week and has attracted strong corporate, broadcast and spectator support.

“I was appointed to establish the competition and have thoroughly enjoyed this initial phase of developing a strong platform for growth and success on both sides of the Tasman.

“The growth opportunities are endless and I look forward to watching the ANZ Championship develop into a premier female international sports competition and popular spectator sport.”

ANZ Championship Chair, Noeleen Dix said the recruitment process for a new General Manager was already underway.

“The ANZ Championship has been ground breaking for netball and with the first season completed we are looking forward to an exciting 2009,” she said.

Holding leaves the ANZ Championship organisation at the end of August 2008 and the ANZ Championship Board and Management will continue to manage the planning for 2009 until a new General Manager is appointed.

NNZ Chief Executive Raelene Castle and Netball Australia CEO Kate Palmer will be overseeing 2009 ANZ Championship day to day running for their respective countries.