Board of Trustees
Counties Manukau Sport Board of Trustees
Pictured left to right: James MacQueen, Dick Garrett, Russell Preston (CEO), David Kennedy (Chairman), Arthur Anae, Del Johnson. Not pictured Jeff Rowsell.
David Kennedy - Board Chair
David has Chief Executive and General Manager experience with significant exposure to government policy, strategy development, change management, financial markets, corporate governance, organisational development and organisational structures. His most recent positions have been with the Westfield Group, SKYCITY and he is the current Chief Executive of the Eden Park Trust.
David has operational experience in a variety of industries including hospitality, tourism, gaming, property, retail, entertainment, construction, sport and local government. He has been successfully involved at board and operational level in several multi-participant joint ventures.
David's experience includes the successful planning and then creation of new entities, and the reorganisation of existing operating entities, with the oversight of public scrutiny, measurement against commercial objectives and organisational motivation.
Dick Garratt Ngai Tuhoe
Married to Desrae (3 children), Dick is originally from Whakatane, arriving in Auckland at an early age. He was a signwriter for 42 years, forming Manukau City Signs. In 2002 Dick took over as CEO of Te Tohu Taakaro o Aotearoa Charitable Trust, the National Maori Sports Awards. Dick is also a Trustee of Tu Toa Charitable Trust.
Dick has held and currently holds many President roles in sport – Kiwi Tennis Club, Mangere Combined Tennis Club, Aotearoa Maoori Tennis Association and Tennis Auckland. He is a Life Member of the Manukau Rovers Rugby Club, Mangere Combined Tennis Club and the Aotearoa Maoori Tennis Association.
In rugby he had a long senior career playing through 5 decades for Manukau Rovers, representing Auckland in 2nd, 2XV and Auckland Maori. In tennis Dick has represented South Auckland / South Auckland Seniors and represented NZ Seniors in World Teams championships.
Del Johnson - Deputy Chair
Del grew up in and around the Banks Peninsula in the South Island. Since his university days he has worked in scientific instrumentation, the plastics industry, the insurance industry, and finally in his own company importing, wholesaling, and retailing gift, décor and lighting merchandise until it's sale 6 years ago.
He has had many active community, sporting and cultural interests, with 25 years involvement in coaching and administration of Athletics (including completing 26 marathons) at Pakuranga Athletic Club, Rugby at the University Club, Cricket at the Howick Pakuranga Club, and Football at Riverhills. Community crime watch and Trees for Survival are other current involvements.
In 1976 Del joined the Rotary Club of Pakuranga. In his 31 years membership he has done all the jobs from Club President to waiter and kitchen duties. At District level he has served on many district committees particularly the Rotary Foundation and International Student Exchange. Del was elected as a Trustee of Counties Manukau Sport in August 2005 and he currently serves as Deputy Chairman.
Jeff Rowsell
Jeff has a large pool of experience to call upon for Counties Manukau Sport. An accountant since 1987 and Director of Campbell Tyson Cooper White Ltd, he is currently responsible for the technology infrastructure at Campbell Tyson Cooper White and the development of the Professional Trustee side of the business.
Jeff has been involved in the community through his sporting activities. Prior appointments including involvement at Board level for Counties Tennis Association, along with being a member of Pokeno Tennis Club. Having also played Senior and representative rugby in the area, Jeff enjoys the company of sports minded people.
Nick Fletcher
Nick’s immediate experience has been in the IT industry working for Microsoft New Zealand, and Microsoft and IBM in Australia. Prior to moving to Sydney 12 years ago Nick worked in the non-profit sector for emergency rescue and sport organisations; the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and Surf Life Saving Northern Region. Having worked for non-profit organisations Nick understands the need for strong clubs, the importance of volunteers, why strong governance is necessary and how to secure funding required to deliver essential services.
With a background covering sales and business development, relationship management, corporate sponsorship, event marketing and management, advertising, direct marketing and fundraising; Nick brings a wide set of sales and marketing skills and experiences to the Trust.
Living in four cities before arriving in Auckland at 17 sport was a key constant through all the change; Nick played representative soccer, rugby, cricket, water polo and water-skied in his school years, did karate for many years after leaving school and played in social touch and netball work teams in Australia. With two young children Nick wants to ensure they have the same opportunities to participate and enjoy sport that he had, and being part of the Trust is a way he can contribute to a broader sporting community.
Vicky Latta
Vicky is a lawyer by profession. She was a partner in a South Auckland law firm before resigning to pursue her sporting goals in Europe. She represented New Zealand in the equestrian sport of eventing from 1987 until her retirement in 1996. An Olympic silver and bronze medallist, she followed a very successful career as a rider with tremendous success as manager of the New Zealand Eventing team which included team gold and individual gold and silver medals at the 1998 World Championships.
Following her return to New Zealand in 1999 she updated her qualifications in the areas of sports law and intellectual property, areas in which she has practised until recently.
In addition to competing in sport, Vicky has been involved in all areas of equestrian sport in three disciplines, from administration nationally as well as locally, as a coach, a judge, judicial committee member and has officiated at and been involved in the organisation of events both nationally and internationally.This all round experience of sport at national and international level has enabled her to see how sport operates in different countries from both grass roots to elite level.
Vicky is also a trustee of the New Zealand Olympic Academy and is a Board member of the Australia New Zealand Sports Law Association (ANZSLA).
