French cycling team Cofidis announced CHRISTIAN GUIBERTEAU as its new sporting director for the ’16 season. Guiberteau was with Giant-Alpecin until his contract expired in October (L’ÉQUIPE, 12/11). ... Kazakhstan cycling team Astana named DIMITRIY FOFONOV as its new sporting manager. A former Astana rider, Fofonov takes over for GIUSEPPE MARTINELLI. Martinelli will stay on with the team as its logistics director (L’ÉQUIPE, 12/13). ... World Rugby is "looking for a new referees' boss" after Frenchman JOEL JUTGE announced he would be "stepping down from his role as match officials' high performance manager in April next year." Jutge has held the role overseeing the officiating of the XVs game "for the last four years and views it as an appropriate time for a fresh face to come into the job (STUFF, 12/12). ... PHIL HOLDEN resigned as CEO of New Zealand Rugby League "citing family reasons for his sudden departure." He informed staff on Thursday that he was stepping down and said that "he wanted to put his family first." He and his wife, Jen have two daughters aged five and two and "they plan to leave Auckland and move to Greytown in Wairarapa in the new year." Holden: "When I was appointed, this was really a dream job for me. ... It has been everything I expected and more, but I also have a young family that I want to give more of my attention and energy to." Holden took over from JIM DOYLE in '13 "and has faced a constant battle to keep the organisation's head above water with limited resources and income" (STUFF, 12/11). Holden said that he "is leaving the New Zealand Rugby League in a stronger position from when he took on the job." Holden: "The New Zealand Rugby League is in a very strong position, to be fair. There will be some very good news coming out from Sport New Zealand and High Performance Sport New Zealand in terms of ongoing funding and commitment to New Zealand rugby league. We will post a good financial result at the end of the next financial year and some of the work we've been doing with Australia behind the scenes over the last 18 months to two years is looking very promising" (NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 12/11). ... Delaware North has added responsibilities for TD Garden President AMY LATIMER, making her the lead on the company's operations in the U.K. for food service at six major football venues -- including Wembley Stadium. Latimer will remain based in Boston (DNC). ... Watkins Glen Int'l announced the following promotions: Dir of Marketing & Promotions ANDREW SMITH to senior director of marketing & promotions; Emergency Services & Facilities Manager JOE GREEN to director of event operations; Ticket Office Coordinator JOSE CERVANTES to ticket sales supervisor; and Marketing Coordinator TYLER HOKE to manager of marketing & community relations (WGI).
COACHES/MANAGERS: South African Super Rugby side the Stormers named ROBBIE FLECK "as its head coach" for the '16 season. The 40-year-old, an assistant coach for the franchise since '10, "has been acting as coaching coordinator since the departure of Australian Coach EDDIE JONES to England." Western Province Rugby Dir GERT SMAL said that the union "would reassess Fleck's position" after the season (REUTERS, 12/12). ... Scottish League One side Forfar Athletic sacked Manager DICK CAMPBELL "after seven years in charge of the Angus club." The decision came after a 1-0 home defeat by his old club, Cowdenbeath, left the club "third bottom" in the league (BBC, 12/12). ... Scottish Championship side St. Mirren Manager IAN MURRAY has resigned. Assistant ALEX MILLER "has been placed in charge on a caretaker basis (SCOTSMAN, 12/12).
