European Professional Club Rugby, the organizer of the European Rugby Champions Cup, Challenge Cup and Challenge Cup Qualifying tournaments, announced the appointment of MARTYN HINDLEY as head of communications and public relations. An experienced sports writer, broadcaster and communications strategist, Hindley joins from UEFA, where he held the post of corporate communications specialist after a previous role developing multi-platform content. His work to date in rugby has been primarily as a radio journalist while he has also commentated on a variety of sports for int'l TV channels (EPCR). ... Premiership rugby side Northampton Saints announced the "appointment of JULIA CHAPMAN as finance director." Chapman comes from the Northampton-based Travis Perkins Plc., "where she was head of finance for the company’s PTS subsidary company." She will "take up her position at Northampton Saints in September and replaces RICHARD DEANE, who is retiring after 14 years’ service" (RUNNING RUGBY, 8/30). ... NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises announced the appointment of sports exec RAY WARREN to the newly created position of Telemundo Deportes president. Warren will oversee NBCUniversal Telemundo's growing sports business and lead its strategy across all its platforms and networks. He will be responsible for developing opportunities for both existing franchises and future acquisitions with a focus on World Cup properties. Warren will be based in Miami and will report to NBCUniversal Int'l & NBCUniversal Telemundo Chair CESAR CONDE, effective Sept. '19 (NBCUniversal Telemundo).
COACHES/MANAGERS: Former West Indies cricketer COURTNEY WALSH has "agreed to become Bangladesh's bowling coach on a three-year deal." Walsh, 53, has been a West Indies selector for two years and his contract with Bangladesh "will run until the 2019 World Cup in England" (BBC, 9/1). ... League Championship side Aston Villa appointed STEVE ROUND as its "new technical director." The former Derby County player, 45, is "best known" for his role as assistant manager to DAVID MOYES, both at Everton and then ManU. He will be based at the club's Bodymoor Health training ground, "where he has already officially started in his new role" (BBC, 9/1).
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