Long-time sport and recreation sector leader Vanessa Hughey will take the reins at Active Southland from November 14.

She's been appointed as chief executive after a rigorous recruitment process.

Hughey is no stranger to the regional sports trust, having held community sport and general manager positions with the organisation from 2012 to 2019.

“In a lot of ways it feels like I’m coming back full circle. It’s a privilege to get the chance to lead an organisation which helped put me on my path in the sport and recreation sector,” Hughey said.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to be involved early in Active Southland’s 2021-2025 strategic plan and add value to an excellent team who are passionate about making a difference in our community.”

Hughey has been involved in the charitable sector since 2004, including roles as a regional manager of the Graeme Dingle Foundation, managing a YMCA in Western Australia and more recently as chief executive of YMCA Southland during the challenges presented by the first years of the Covid-19 pandemic.

She has previously completed a six-month secondment with Sport New Zealand as part of the Locally Led initiative, is on the Recreation Aotearoa board and has governance experience with a range of Southland’s regional sporting organisations, as well as Koha Kai and Number 10 Southland Youth One Stop Shop.

“I’m still really passionate about the role that play, recreation and sport plays in community wellbeing and community development, especially for our young people.”

Hughey said she appreciated the rigorous nature of the recruitment process, which was led by Findex Invercargill.

“These sorts of opportunities don’t come up very often so it’s really important that they are done in a transparent and independent way.”

Active Southland board chair Bevan Ellis said the organisation was delighted to appoint someone of Hughey’s calibre.

"Vanessa’s lifelong commitment to the sector shone through during each stage of the recruitment process. Her passion and deep knowledge of sport, recreation and play really stood her apart in a very competitive process,” he said.

“Vanessa is highly regarded and respected throughout the sector at both a national and local level. The board is looking forward to working with Vanessa to drive the organisation's strategy forward and promote our overall mission to get everyone active every day.”