Sport Hawke’s Bay today announced the appointment of four new board members.
Lawyer Carl Rowling, Hawke’s Bay Racing chief executive Andrew (Butch) Castles, Karamu High School deputy principal
Dionne Thomas and former Executive Dean at EIT Dr Susan Jacobs MNZM have been appointed.
Sport Hawke’s Bay chairman Damon Harvey said a board recruitment process in late 2017 was a huge success, with many
high-quality applicants and it was decided to appoint four new trustees, instead of the planned two.
“We have had a very effective board throughout the organisation’s history and with long serving board members Sean Bevin
and Malcolm Dixon recently retiring there was room within our constitution for more trustees, we thought it was an ideal
time to add four fresh and very capable locals to the board.
“I’m certain they will add significant value as we aim to get more Hawke’s Bay people active more often and improving
their wellbeing. The new trustees come with different skills sets that complement what already exists around the table.
Mr Castles has a strong sports administration background having worked at NZ’s largest racing club, Auckland Racing
Club, at Ellerslie for 11 years before taking up the chief executive role at HB Racing.
“In my role as CEO for HB Racing I have developed wide ranging relationships across business, local government and media
in the region. I hope I can leverage some of those contacts for the benefit of Sport Hawke’s Bay.
“I was interested in the role after attending a Sport Hawke’s Bay breakfast event in 2017 and was impressed with what I
saw. With two active kids involved in many organised sports I felt I could try and make a difference in an
administration role. If there is something I can do, that in some small way makes participation in sport in our region
easier then I will consider that a success.”
Mr. Rowling brings to the board many years of experience as a senior commercial lawyer having been a partner in two of
New Zealand’s leading law firms as well as General Counsel for Auckland City. He has developed considerable expertise in
all aspects of major events, with his firm Rowling Law & Strategy being the principal legal advisor to Duco Events, most recently working on securing the contract for the
upcoming World Champion Unification bout between Joseph Parker and Anthony Joshua.
“Since moving to Napier with my Napier-born wife, Meghann, two years ago I’ve been looking for a way to make a
meaningful contribution in the community, one that will make the most of my skill set.
“Recognising the important and positive difference that Sport Hawke’s Bay already makes in enabling sport and health
outcomes, I thought a role on the board of Sport Hawke’s Bay was an ideal opportunity to make that contribution.”
Mrs. Thomas said she is looking forward to bringing a range of skills to the Sport Hawke’s Bay Board, with experience in
education and sport & recreation, from the grassroots level through to governance. She is also a current board member of Hawke’s Bay Netball.
“I was attracted to the position as a born and bred Bay girl who wants to see more people more active in the Bay.”
Dr Jacobs brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in health, tertiary education, research, board governance, as well
as an interest in how recreation and sport can contribute to health and societal equity.
“I’ve always been impressed by the broad work of Sport Hawke’s Bay, and particularly, its work contributing to community
health, and partnerships with Iwi in that regard,” she said.
The new appointees join Mr. Harvey, Sandy Titter, Brendan James, Graeme Taylor, Naomi Fergusson, and Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi
representative Aayden Clarke.