Hockey chairman to call it quits

After six years, Bruce Cousins is stepping down as Hockey Manawatu's chairman.

He felt that had been "a bit long for any organisation" and will quit at the annual meeting on Monday.

Cousins, a Palmerston North accountant, has steered the sport through some treacherous waters, including seeing off three executive officers and the twin turfs' financial millstone.

He was elected to the board in 2004 and was immediately appointed chairman, succeeding Russell Tillman.

"If they want me to stay involved and help them with the strategic plan and budgeting, I will work with the board," he said.

Massey University's Sarah Leberman has been nominated for a position on the board.

He is glad that Hockey Manawatu has come through its rough patch, the heat going off when the Palmerston North City Council took ownership of the two turfs.

"Hockey couldn't afford two turfs; it was plain to see from the start," he said.

"We really have turned a corner. Hockey is very lucky with its volunteer base. We've got the facilities and the people to run them."

Hockey Manawatu still has $500,000 of assets at Fitzherbert Park, the floodlights and most of the pavilion aside from the ablutions areas.

He is satisfied that in operations manager Warren Banks and his staff, he has the right people in place.

Banks is keen to appoint a regional development manager, someone to coach coaches, with a major aim of improving the standard of hockey in Manawatu.

Will McPhail has been a temporary regional development officer but he has other work and will be retained.

Hockey Manawatu hopes to host a major tournament next year, possibly the national under-21s.

A new patron will be elected on Monday night, following Joyce Pink, who died in Palmerston North in July last year, aged 101.

- © Fairfax NZ News