Nine months before the 2016 Olympic Games, SCOTT FIELD has been appointed as director of communications at the British Olympic Association. Field will replace MIRIAM WILKENS, who is leaving the BOA after nearly a decade to take up a new role, as VP of communications with int'l food conglomerate Tate & Lyle. Field previously worked in the football press offices at Watford, West Brom and most recently at Wembley working for the FA. Field will join the BOA in the New Year, working alongside the existing comms department staffers LAURA MEECH and ED LANGFORD (British Olympic Association). ... Super League side Salford Red Devils Owner MARWAN KOUKASH is to take on CEO duties at the club. The Kuwait-born businessman and racehorse owner "will take on the role from MARTIN VICKERS" (BBC, 12/2).
COACHES/MANAGERS: Former ManU and England defender GARY NEVILLE has been named La Liga side Valencia's head coach until the end of the season. He will officially take over at Valencia on Sunday, and "will remain part of the England coaching set-up." His brother PHIL, who joined the club as assistant manager in July, "will stay on the coaching staff" (BBC, 12/2). ... Argentine first division side Godoy Cruz announced that SEBASTIÁN MÉNDEZ will coach the club during the upcoming season beginning in February. His appointment was confirmed by Godoy Cruz President JOSÉ MANSUR (LOS ANDES, 12/2). ... French Pro A basketball club Cholet released Manager LAURENT BUFFARD on Wednesday. Buffard had been with the club since ’13. Assistant coach JÉRÔME NAVIER will take over for Buffard (L’ÉQUIPE, 12/2).
NINE-YEAR REIGN OVER: National Rugby League side Queensland manger MAL MENINGA's reign as the side's coach "is over," with the NRL expected to announce he "has been appointed to succeed TIM SHEENS as Kangaroos coach." Meninga had missed two self-imposed deadlines to inform the Queensland Rugby League "whether he intended to take up a three-year contract extension to remain at the Maroons," which he has coached to nine State of Origin series wins over the past decade. QRL Chair PETER BETROS said, "If I were a betting man, I would think he would enjoy the challenge of the Kangaroos. He has always been up for a challenge." Meninga has "often expressed his interest in the Australian coaching job and it has been widely reported that he had the backing" of Australian Rugby League Commission Chair JOHN GRANT to take up the position, which is worth about A$300,000 ($220,000) a year (THE AUSTRALIAN, 12/3).
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