Bowls Canterbury Board appoints new CEO

Written by Brian Barker, Bowls Canterbury Chairman

Bowls Canterbury's Chief Executive Officer, Adrian Robins has confirmed his retirement at the end of this financial year - 30 April 2017.

Adrian has been the CEO of Bowls Canterbury since the beginning of 2013. Previously a Bowls Canterbury Board member, Adrian took over the reins when the regional body was in financial hardship however, within 12 months Adrian had turned that hardship around and 4 years later the organisation is now a thriving business.

A highlight for Adrian in his time as CEO was no doubt when his hard work, was not only recognized but also succeeded in winning the 2015 Sport Canterbury Administrator of the Year award. Showcasing to the whole Canterbury Sporting community that Bowls in Canterbury was in good hands yet again.

Adrian and his wife Julie have purchased a home in Waimate, South Canterbury where they will retire. Already they have joined the Waimate Bowling Club and are enjoying spending more time on the bowling greens!

Bowls Canterbury are fortunate to retain Adrian's expertise - particularly with his Accountancy background, to still be on board as a part time Sales and Finance Manager on a contract for 2 years.

The Bowls Canterbury Board are delighted to announce Adrian's successor as CEO as Mel Mather, the Bowls Canterbury current Events and Development Manager. Mel has been working at Bowls Canterbury since 2014 and has a long history working in the Sport and Recreation industry. Mel's working career started at Sport Canterbury in an Administration and Events role. After leaving Sport Canterbury to have children, Mel went back into the workforce at the Christchurch City Council within the Sports Services Team. Following the 2011 earthquakes, she went back to Sport Canterbury in a Sport Recovery contract role for two years, where she really enjoyed the hands on work with clubs. Prior to starting at Bowls Canterbury in 2014 Mel had two years at the New Zealand Institute of Sport in a marketing role.

Mel has always been involved in a variety of sports, as a club volunteer, administrator and high performance manager - currently managing the NZ U16's Rugby League Team. She is very much looking forward to her new role as Chief Executive Officer at Bowls Canterbury, which begins on 1 May 2017 and looks forward to continuing working with Clubs in the Canterbury centre in this role.

Brian Barker

Chairperson

Bowls Canterbury Board.