Netball
Netball Central Zone CEO Chris Hooper will be leaving the organisation on August 30, after resigning for personal reasons.
Hooper was appointed to the newly-established position in November 2012 and has overseen the foundation of the new zone, which covers all netball in the region, from grassroots through to the Haier Pulse.
Ian Collier, Netball Central chairman, said he was disappointed to be losing Hooper, who had been instrumental in implementing the new netball structure in the lower North Island.
"Chris has made his decision for personal reasons and has asked that these remain private. We are incredibly thankful to Chris for his contribution and support during the establishment phase of the new zone and totally respect his decision," Collier said.
"He has played a critical role during his time with us and we are thankful for his contribution and pleased with the momentum that we now have as a result.
"The search for a replacement has already been initiated and we are confident that there will be no shortage of quality candidates for this pivotal role."
Meanwhile, on the local front, the highlight of tomorrow's premier one action at the Colombo Road courts in Masterton will be the clash between Eketahuna and Pioneer Blue.
Eketahuna have already been a revelation this year with the slickness of their play belying a team which performed at reserve level last season, but they will get no favours from a Pioneer Blue side which shares the competition lead with Harcourts and Celtic.
The odds are that Pioneer Blue will try to dominate the midcourt with the idea of restricting the flow of ball to the Eketahuna shooters who are among the most accurate in the premier one series.
How successful they are will very likely decide the outcome of what should be an entertaining game.
St Matthew's Collegiate have blooded several new players this season and have consequently found the going tough against more experienced opposition.
Nothing will change when they play Carterton New World Vipers (formerly the Lynx) tomorrow.
A Vipers victory is the most likely result but, if St Matthew's start strongly and build early confidence, an upset is not beyond the realms of possibility.
Harcourts too might be a new look team this season but you wouldn't think so judging by their results.
Under the guidance of Sarah Brooking and Carlene Karaitiana, they have yet to taste defeat and it's difficult to imagine Baywide Gladstone keeping them within sight on the scoreboard.
Celtic, as befits a team full of players representing Wairarapa with credit in the regional super league, are starting to hit their straps in the local competition and, while they can expect spirited opposition from Wairarapa College A tomorrow, another comfortable Celtic win appeals as the logical result.