WSA board member Paul Whapham appointed as new Hockey Wales CEO
The Welsh Sports Association (WSA) would like to congratulate board member Paul Whapham on his appointment as CEO of Hockey Wales, a WSA member organisation.
Paul joins the National Governing Body for hockey in Wales as a highly experienced, successful, and well-regarded leader with over 20 years’ experience working in sport.
He has been with the Ospreys for over eight years and their Corporate Brand Director for the last four. During this time, he has played a leading role in the formation of Ospreys in the Community, another WSA member, with it becoming one of the largest sports development charities in Wales and has seen the Ospreys become the second fastest growing social media platform in the United Rugby Championship.
Paul has also, of course, spent the last four years as an elected non-executive board member of the WSA, supporting and engaging to the benefit of the organisation throughout his time on the role.
Paul stated:
“I am honoured to be appointed as CEO of Hockey Wales and being part of the Great Britain Hockey Board.
“It’s an exciting time for hockey,” he continued, “with a strong club structure, significant opportunities, and space for innovation across the whole of the Sport.
“I am looking forward to working closely with the staff, members of our hockey community and stakeholders, building on recent success and continuing to develop engaging experiences for all involved in Welsh hockey.
“I would also like to thank everyone at the Ospreys for all their support and wish them well for the future,” he concluded.
WSA CEO Andrew Howard commented:
“We are delighted for both Paul and for Hockey Wales, and the WSA very much looks forward to working with him in his new role. Paul has been a hugely supportive and active member of the WSA Board for four years and he joins Hockey Wales at a really exciting and important time for the sport.
“I would also like to thank and congratulate outgoing CEO Ria Burrage-Male for her outstanding contribution and wish her and her family well on their travels.
“Finally, we all wish the team the very best of luck in India, as they make history on Friday when they play in the World Cup for the very first time – we are proud that another WSA Member is showcasing Wales to the World through the power of Sport.”
WSA recruiting for second Board Director vacancy
In order to concentrate his full time on his new role, Paul has taken the decision to step down from the WA Board.
We’d like to thank Paul for his considerable contributions to the organisation as a Director for the past four years, and announce that we will be recruiting for a second Board Director alongside our original vacancy.
The deadline for nominations, therefore, will be extended to January 31st.
We would welcome nominations to this position from within the WSA Full Membership, so if you have a colleague in mind that you feel would represent you and the wider WSA members, or an individual from your leadership team, who is seeking a professional CPD opportunity then please put them forward.
