NEW CHAIR
APPOINTED
Surfing Australia is in the midst of a pivotal moment in
its history as it farewells a long-standing and paramount
chairperson, and in-return, opens its arms and ambitions to
a new chair, who embarks on an exciting journey to continue
to develop Surfing Australia and its bright future ahead.
Chair Norm Innis retired in September leaving a pair of very
big shoes to the most successful female surfer in history, Layne
Beachley.
In the wake of more than a decade of outstanding volunteer
service to the organisation, Norm leaves nothing but good
memories, kicked-goals and tireless dedication to the sport.
Layne herself remembers her predecessor’s obliging
support, leadership and clear vision evident during his time as
chairman.
“I am extremely grateful for the confidence and skill set of
the board, which is a result of the leadership and vision for the
organisation that has been held by Norm Innis during his 12-year
tenure,” Layne said. “I am excited to be stepping into this role at
such a pivotal time in Surfing Australia’s growth and together
with the board we will be setting a course to steer us firmly to
the top of the international arena.”
Norm remembers commencing his position as Chair of
Surfing Australia with very good intentions to stay out of
management’s way, and to concentrate on business planning,
corporate governance and accounting.
With the support of the Board, Norm was soon setting goals
– and achieving them.
With the appointment of a new and innovative CEO and
moving the head office to Coolangatta to raise the profile of
Surfing Australia, the organisation focussed on putting value
back into SA programs, beginning with Surf Schools which
naturally led into the SurfGroms program.
Norm also led the initiative to construct a purpose-built high
performance centre for surfing.
“This had been my personal over-arching dream from day
one,” Norm said.
Major developments occurred for Surfing Australia while
Norm was Chair, including extending Surfing Australia past its
normal user base, and into the broader area of surfing in general
which led to the development of what is now mySURF.tv.
“In many ways, I see this as a highlight of my time at the helm
– pushing Surfing Australia into totally uncharted waters,” Norm
said.
“Without doubt though, the greatest of SA’s achievements
under my stewardship, is the Hurley Surfing Australia HPC. This
is a game changer for surfing as a sport, and if surfing becomes
part of the Olympics in 2020, this facility will have an even
greater role to play,” he said.
Norm attributes his success as a chairman to having good
succession plans in place.
“Wherever I have been involved in my past career, I have
always prided myself on having good succession plans in place,”
Norm said. “There is little point in being part of a winning team if
it disintegrates on your departure. I have known Layne Beachley
since she was a teenager on Quiksilver’s surf team, and the
Board and I thought she would be an excellent addition to the
SA organisation five years ago. I am very pleased Layne has now
stepped up to the Chair role, and have no doubt she will take the
organisation to even greater heights. I look forward to watching
that success from afar.”
Surfing Australia CEO Andrew Stark said: “I would like to thank
and acknowledge the fantastic contribution that Norm Innis
has provided to the organisation. Norm has been a dedicated
Chairman with a clear vision and surfing should be grateful to
have had such a visionary leader over the past decade. He has
truly left a legacy for the sport of surfing in Australia.
“We welcome Layne Beachley to the Chair role and look
forward to working with her towards continued growth and
success for Surfing Australia.”
SPRING 2015 ISSUE 13 | 19