New Steel boss

Experienced event director Sue Clarke has been appointed to the helm of Netball South.

Clarke was today announced as chief executive for the new entity, which is tasked with the delivery of netball at all levels throughout Otago and Southland, including the Ascot Park Hotel Southern Steel franchise.

She replaces David Bannister who returns to Australia tomorrow after nearly a year in the role.

The challenge of guiding netball into an exciting new era following the formation of a zone-based structure proved too hard to resist for Clarke.

Clarke brings a wealth of experience to the role with an array of successful projects to her credit, including the UCI Junior Track World Championships staged in Invercargill earlier this year.

She is no stranger to the sporting world, playing a key logistics role in the successful delivery of Dunedin's Rugby World Cup games last year and serving as executive officer of Squash Southland from 1999 to 2001.

Clarke said she applauded the new direction the Southern Steel franchise has taken in recent years, with a focus on developing younger players through the ranks.

- © Fairfax NZ News