New CEO for BOP cricket

Long-time Western Bay of Plenty resident and businessman Chris Rapson has been named Bay of Plenty Cricket's new Chief Executive Officer. Photo/File

Long-time Western Bay of Plenty resident and businessman Chris Rapson has been named Bay of Plenty Cricket's new Chief Executive Officer.

Rapson was named at Bay of Plenty Cricket's Annual General Meeting on Monday.

"The board has been through an extensive process of reviewing the scope of the CEO role and considering some very high calibre applicants for the position," said Bay of Plenty Cricket Chairman Richard Dey.

"We are delighted that Chris is able to commit himself full time to Bay of Plenty Cricket. His in depth understanding of the key issues facing the grass roots game and his passion for the sport, mean that he is ideally suited to lead our organisation forward under our vision of being the best district cricket association in the country".

Rapson is an extremely experienced cricket administrator with strong banking and commercial backgrounds and has been involved in cricket as a player, coach, and volunteer administrator for well over three decades.

He has played a big part in the rejuvenation of junior cricket in the region with the establishment of a junior and age-group cricket pathway producing several home-grown Bay of Plenty Black Caps and a number of professional cricket players.

In 2010 he was presented with the ICC centenary medal, which was one of 1000 given out amongst the 104 ICC member countries.

The medals, of which just fifty were awarded to New Zealand, were given for exceptional voluntary cricket service.

Rapson said he was very much looking forward to contributing to the further development of cricket throughout the Bay of Plenty.

"Over the years of my involvement in cricket I have come to understand that nothing happens without the input we get from so many volunteers and renewing those connections and hearing of the challenges and how we might make progress, will be a great starting point

"Bay of Plenty Cricket is in very good heart and we are really fortunate to have great weather, great facilities, great people and a strong determination to be the best provincial cricket association in New Zealand," he said.

"Where Bay of Plenty has got to, is due to the efforts of everyone who has preceded us and we intend to continue to build on past success". Thanks are due to the team at my business, who have stepped up, allowing me to take up this wonderful opportunity with Bay of Plenty Cricket".