NEW Mornington Yacht Club CEO Wayne Holdsworth has spent the past 10 years leading sports, shooting and motorcycling associations. He also has an AFL background through AFL Victoria, as CEO of the Southern League.
“My experience is largely in governance and management within the sports market,” he said.
“I have consulted to the corporate sector, including Coles-Myer, Toll and Colonial First State.”
And, although he does not have an extensive yachting background he says he is “learning very fast”.
Mr Holdsworth described the 72-year-old club – awarded the 2012 Victorian Yacht Club of the Year and 2012 Yachting Australia’s Training Centre of the Year – as a “hidden gem with arguably one of the most magnificent aspects in Victoria”.
He says his major focus will be promoting the club to prospective members so that they can begin sailing, or for others to continue to sail. He will promote the social aspects of being a member, including “sitting on the members’ deck with a cold drink and the delightful Rocks Restaurant cuisine”.
He has lived on the Mornington Peninsula for many years. “I am married to Maggie and we have four children: Joss, Ben, Mac and Daisy, who are all heavily involved in sport and fitness,” he said.
“I am honoured to be the CEO of this wonderful family friendly club and will being plying all of my skills and energy into the club’s development.”
Commodore Chris Jackson said Mr Holdsworth had a “comprehensive understanding of management and governance”.
“Wayne has had significant exposure to clubs and the volunteers that are the back bone of their survival,” he said.
“We very much look forward to working with him to deliver on the club’s strategic plan; to have a person with [his] experience will be beneficial.”
First published in the Mornington News – 30 January 2018
