For immediate release
December 14, 2010 – strictly embargoed until 5pm
New CEO for Tactix and Canterbury Netball
Peter Smith, a past acting CEO of the Hillary Commission, has been named as the new chief executive of the Mercury
Energy Tactix and Canterbury Netball. He takes up his position in the January.
Smith brings a wide range of management and sports skills to the position. He is a former New Zealand General Manager
(Operations) as well as Acting CEO of the Hillary Commission, Acting CEO of Project K (Foundation for Youth
Development), Director of The NZ Institute of Youth Sport and most recently a manager with the Nelson Marlborough
District Health Board.
Prior to moving to the Hillary Commission in 2001, he was Principal of Onslow College, in Wellington,
“This position is one that has challenges, but also fantastic opportunities. It is the chance to work in a high
achieving organisation and build a successful participation and development model along with a highly effective high
performance culture within the wider Canterbury Netball community.
“My background is one of working with organisations to create a common purpose, building highly effective teams both
internally and regionally and getting results,” he said.
Smith represented New Zealand Under 20s and New Zealand Universities at basketball, had a New Zealand junior tennis
ranking and played representative rugby up to his university days. More recently he has successfully focused his
energies on coaching at a representative level.
“Since my active sporting days my working lifetime has been involved around teaching, managing and leading, with
particular emphasis on the high performance environment. I am incredibly excited about this opportunity in such a sports
proud province,” he said.
Mercury Energy Tactix board chairman Kevin Eder said that he is delighted with the appointment of a candidate of Peter
Smith’s calibre.
“We have not rushed into this appointment as it is critical that we get it right. We wanted someone who we knew would
add value both at the elite level, such as the Tactix, but also at grass roots with the on-going development of the game
in the community.
“Finding someone with both these skill sets was not an easy task, but we think we have such a person.
“The new season is vitally important for the sport. Following the success of the Canterbury team in winning our first
national title in eight years, we are now looking to take some of that momentum into the ANZ Championships. We also
know, that success at the elite level trickles down to the grass roots, be it with playing numbers, supporters or
sponsors,” he said.
Ends