JAKE WHITE "has stepped down" as director of Rugby at South Africa’s Sharks Super Rugby team "to pursue international opportunities ahead of the World Cup next year."
White "coached South Africa to the 2007 World Cup." He "will relocate to Cape Town to be closer to his family" (REUTERS, 9/29). ... West Bromwich Albion appointed local journalist CHRIS LEPKOWSKI to the club’s media department. Lepkowski, who worked as Albion correspondent at the Birmingham Mail for the previous 13 years, began in his new role as head of media content on Monday.
His arrival continues a re-structure of the club’s media department which began with the appointment of MARTIN SWAIN as director of communications (West Brom). ... SMG named former Scottish Exhibition Centre Ltd. Group CEO JOHN SHARKEY Exec VP/European Operations, effective Oct. 6 (SMG). ... Digital consulting firm Omnigon promoted Dir of Client Management BECKI WRONKO to managing director of client services (THE DAILY).
COACHES/MANAGERS: National Rugby League side Wests Tigers appointed JASON TAYLOR its new head coach.
Taylor "has beaten" a field including former coach MICK POTTER’s assistants DAVID KIDWELL and TODD PAYTEN, former St. George Illawarra mentor NATHAN BROWN and ex-Brisbane coach ANTHONY GRIFFIN to the position.
The Wests Tigers board also announced the appointment of PHIL MOSS to the newly-created position of GM of football operations. Moss "held a similar position at the Penrith Panthers" (AAP, 9/29). ... Austrian top flight hockey club KAC "has parted ways" with head coach MARTIN STLOUKAL and assistant coach GERALD RESSMANN after the club's 9-0 loss to Linz. The club's U20 coach ALEXANDER MELLITZER "will take over the club on an interim basis" (KURIER, 9/26). ... OSCAR GARCIA "has stepped down" as head coach of League Championship side Watford "because of ill health just 27 days into his tenure" and has been replaced by BILLY MCKINLAY.
The 41-year-old Spaniard "was discharged from hospital last week after undergoing tests for chest pain" (BBC, 9/29).
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