Williams Formula 1 appointed DIRK DE BEER as head of aerodynamics, as the F1 team "continues its technical restructure." De Beer, who will start work at Williams on March 1, was chief aerodynamicist at Ferrari "before departing last summer." He has a "wealth of F1 experience, having had a brief spell in Sauber's aerodynamics department before joining Renault" in '08. After five years at Enstone he "moved to Ferrari" (AUTOSPORT, 2/16). ... The Australian Football League broke "another barrier" with the appointment of EMMA QUAYLE as the sport's first female club recruiter. Greater Western Sydney's new off-field recruit is an "award-winning Fairfax Media football journalist." The transforming of "yet another gender dynamic in clubs was championed by GILLON MCLACHLAN but was ultimately driven and funded by the Giants for purposes of timing also" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 2/16). ... Premiership rugby side Northampton Saints CEO ALLAN ROBSON will "retire at the end of the season, after 17 years" at the club. Robson joined the Saints as commercial director in '00, "before being promoted" to CEO in '06. The club posted profits for the past 16 years, "winning the Premiership and two European Challenge Cup titles in Robson's time" as CEO (BBC, 2/16).
COACHES/MANAGERS: Cricket Tasmania "parted ways" with coach DAN MARSH, effective immediately. The Tigers have had a "torrid season so far, winning just one of their seven Sheffield Shield matches." Marsh was "handed a two-year contract extension last March, but has been sacked less than a year later" (CRICKET, 2/16). ... Former Serie A side AS Roma Manager ZDENEK ZEMAN is reportedly "set for a surprise return" to Serie A as coach of "rock-bottom" Pescara. Zeman, who has also coached Lazio, Napoli and Cagliari, was sacked by Roma in Feb. '13 "after a string of poor results left the capital side in eighth place." The 69-year-old Czech will reportedly "sign a deal to take over the Adriatic coast club" until June '18 (AS, 2/15). ... Former Ferrari Technical Dir JAMES ALLISON "will take on a similar role" at Mercedes on March 1. Allison replaces PADDY LOWE, "who helped lead Mercedes to three successive driver and constructor world championships," and will report directly to Motorsport Dir TOTO WOLFF, the team said in a statement (REUTERS, 2/16).
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