4 June 2009 - Mrs Marissa Langeni brings wealth of business and sports admin experience

'I am confident I can be of value and an asset to SA Hockey'

JONATHAN COOK
@ SPAR 4 Nations hockey

THE South African Hockey Association (SAHA) announced Wednesday the appointment of Mrs Marissa Langeni as Chief Executive Officer of the national hockey body, to be based in Pretoria. Mrs Langeni will take up the appointment from 1 July 2009.

"The main objective of this post is to manage and develop the Association as a going concern in support of the development of Hockey as a major sporting code in South Africa," said SAHA president Mr Dave Carr, who introduced Mrs Langeni to the media on day two of the SPAR Cup Four Nations tournament at Queensmead Hockey Stadium in Durban.

Mr Carr said Mrs Langeni's chief responsibilities would be stakeholder and market management, strategic planning, to manage staff, and to manage and monitor processes. "As SAHA, we believe Marissa has the necessary qualifications, experience and passion for sport to take South African hockey forward," said Mr Carr.

Mrs Langeni's suitability for the Hockey South Africa CEO position is evident: She earned a Bachelor of Social Science degree at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, a postgraduate diploma in Industrial Relations from the same institution, and is currently studying towards a postgraduate diploma in Financial Planning at the University of Free State.

"I value the importance of client retention, teamwork and accountability, and at the heart of this, integrity," Mrs Langeni said.

Mrs Langeni is currently managing assets for ultra-high net-worth clients. While she had no direct link to hockey prior to her appointment, Mrs Langeni does have 11 years' experience in national and international Student Sports Administration through her involvement in the SA Student Sports Union (SASSU, now known as University Sport South Africa, or USSA) as well as the International University Sports Federation (FISU).
Indeed, Mrs Langeni's non-hockey background might prove to be an advantage.

SAHA president Dave Carr said Mrs Langeni "has no hockey baggage" and accordingly would be able to look at issues from a fresh perspective.

Carr added that the SAHA General Manager post currently filled by Paul Richards would now fall away, but the long-serving SAHA employee will still be closely involved in SA Hockey administration.

"I have an enormous love for the sports industry and for the benefits it brings to young and old," Mrs Langeni said. "I also have extensive international travel experience to multi-sports events, both as part of the organisers and at participant level. In Hockey South Africa I saw a real and sincere commitment to transformation and excellence.

"Where I would desperately like to leave a footprint is in the concerted effort in implementing this commitment. I am confident that I can be of value and an asset to the SA Hockey Association and I look forward to the challenge."

SPAR CUP FOUR NATIONS HOCKEY RESULTS
Argentina 3 SPAR South Africa 1; Australia 3 India 1; Australia 2 Argentina 2; SPAR South Africa 4 India 1.
MINI SPAR CUP HOCKEY LOG
(Goal difference, points after two Tests each): 1. Argentina +2GD, 4 points; 2. Australia +2GD, 4 pts; 3. SPAR South Africa +1GD, 3pts; 4. India –6GD, 0 pts.
REMAINING SPAR CUP HOCKEY FIXTURES
Thursday: Rest day.
Friday: India vs Argentina (2 pm); SPAR SA vs Australia (4 pm).
Saturday: bronze medal match (12.30 pm); gold medal match (3 pm).
Tickets - Adults R20; those U18 pay R10. No charge for scholars in school uniform.

PHOTO: REG CALDECOTT
Newly appointed Hockey South Africa CEO Marissa Langeni with SAHA president Dave Carr at the media briefing at Queensmead Hockey Stadium on Wednesday.