New boss looks to bright future

Sports administration

When Englishman Dave Butler-Peck married a Greytown girl and moved from Dunedin almost two years ago, he didn't think he would be responsible for overseeing 17 community sport and leisure clubs and over 850 members of Greytown's Community, Sport and Leisure Society.

The organisation's executive officer Keith Brown retires later this month after six years and Butler-Peck says he has "big boots to fill".

"I'm hoping to really complement the role and build on what has been successfully achieved by Keith over the years," he said.

"I've spent the last year and a half working for the Green Party, where some of my responsibilities have included developing the party's network of branches, as well as directly dealing with enquiries and managing the volunteers.

"A colleague kindly said I had lifted the bar of professionalism with the Greens."

Butler-Peck is hoping to continue in this vein by helping to develop the society's levels of professionalism and ensure its clubs have a modern outlook.

"Having been on the GCSLS committee last year, I had an opportunity to get to know about the different clubs involved and to recognise that everyone faces the same challenges.

"Funding is a challenge, but this could also be a big opportunity. I think it's important that we look at raising the profile of the society as this could help to increase the level of funding our clubs receive.

"I hadn't played 11-a-side football for at least 10 years before moving to New Zealand, but outside of work, every friend I've made here has been through the sport.

"It has given me more than just a social side, one of my favourite things about being involved with Greytown's Football Club is the opportunity to take part in the "Greytown Special Forces" or GSF evenings, which not only keeps me fit, but also pushes me to do things outside my comfort zone, like running to Cone Hut," Butler-Peck said.