The FA announced the appointment of JON SELLINS as its operations director. Sellins will be responsible for the delivery of all venue operations activity across the FA's two venues -- Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park -- to ensure they meet the organization's strategic, operational and financial goals. He will report to FA CFO MARK BURROWS (FA).
COACHES/MANAGERS: IVAN CLEARY was named National Rugby League side Wests Tigers' new coach on Monday. Cleary "becomes the fifth head coach to take over the reins at Leichhardt in five years and will be immediately tasked with stopping the rot that has set in at the club." Cleary "put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half year deal, keeping him in charge" until the end of the '20 season (London GUARDIAN, 4/3). ... Premiership club Gloucester named former South Africa player JOHAN ACKERMANN its new head coach ahead of the '17-18 season. The 46-year-old coach of the Johannesburg-based Lions Super Rugby side will "replace LAURIE FISHER, who left the Cherry and Whites in March." Ackermann, who won 13 Springboks caps, "will work as number two to Director of Rugby DAVID HUMPHREYS." Interim head coach JONNY BELL "will remain in the role until the end of the season" (BBC, 4/3). ... SHELLEY KERR said that "she has realised one of her career goals" after being confirmed as ANNA SIGNEUL's successor as headcoach of Scotland's women's national football team. Signeul, who has been in charge since '05, "will leave after this summer's Euro 2017 finals in Netherlands." Kerr said, "To get the opportunity to lead the national team is a dream come true." Kerr, capped 59 times for Scotland, began her coaching career while playing for Kilmarnock in '04 and "she had spells in charge at Hibernian and Spartans" (BBC, 4/3). ... GARY KIRSTEN joined Big Bash League side Hobart Hurricanes as coach of Tasmania's BBL team for the next two seasons. Kirsten previously coached India and South Africa, and has "recently taken on a range of consultancy roles after he resigned as coach" of Indian Premier League side Delhi Daredevils in '15 (ESPN.com, 4/3).
