Executive Transactions

Golf course operators Braemar Golf announced the appointment of KEN COOPER as a new chair following the retirement of the company's founder DAVID DEAN. Cooper will take up the position for a period of 2 years (Braemar Golf). ... Another "member of the old guard that ruled Australian rugby" MATT CARROLL is leaving the Australian Rugby Union. Carroll, the long-time deputy to JOHN O'NEILL and the interim CEO following O'Neill's exit late last year, is to follow his former CEO "out the door at the end of next month." The ARU also parted company recently with its long-time high performance Dir DAVID NUCIFORA (THE AUSTRALIAN, 2/26). ... Super League rugby club Castleford Tigers have named STEVE GILL as CEO on an interim basis following the resignation of STEVE FERRES. Gill has been head of the club's youth development department since '08 (Castleford Tigers). ... Scripps Networks Interactive has appointed former DirecTV Exec VP of Content Strategy and Development DEREK CHANG as managing director of Asia Pacific operations. Chang will report to Scripps Networks Interactive Int'l President JIM SAMPLES. Before joining DirecTV in '06, Chang held an exec position in finance with the Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network (YES Network) (INDIAN TELEVISION, 2/25).

COACHES/MANAGER: Former AC Milan midfielder GENNARO GATTUSO has been promoted to player-coach at Swiss side FC Sion, with incumbent manager VICTOR MUNOZ "demoted within the club." Munoz was demoted after fourth-placed Sion "were thrashed 4-0 by FC Thun in the Swiss Super League on Sunday." Club President CHRISTIAN CONSTANTIN was seen talking on his cell phone during the second half and "Swiss media speculated that had already decided to sack Munoz before the final whistle"(REUTERS, 2/25).

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