Team Auckland swimmers at the Darwin Outgames A Board has been appointed to oversee planning for the 2016 Auckland Asia Pacific Outgames. It’s made up of lgbti Pasifika community advocate Phylesha Brown-Acton, Urge Bar owner and experienced events planner Paul Heard, lawyer Prue Kapua, leading HR professional Martin King and Kerry Underhill, who has spent many years as part of London and Amsterdam’s lgbti communities. Acting Executive Director Damien Strogen, who led the initial bid for Auckland to host the games, says the organisers are now well positioned to organise the biggest and most successful lgbti events New Zealand has ever seen. “We are extremely lucky to have a Board that not only has strong links into the LGBTI and sports communities, but which also includes some of New Zealand’s leading business minds. “All Board members were considered by an independent review team, and then unanimously appointed by the members of the Auckland Outgames Incorporated Society”, he says. New Board member Kerry Underhill is enthusiastic about the opportunity to now contribute. “I’m very much looking forward to working with the Board and organising team over the next 18 months to help deliver an event that I’m sure will exceed everyone’s expectations.” The Board’s next move will be to appoint an Executive Committee which will manage the day-to-day organisation of the Outgames. The Board and the Executive Committee will then appoint consultant advisers who will represent key stakeholder groups in the community. “Given the size of the event, and the large amount of work that needs to be done, I expect the Board and the Executive Committee will take a strong business focus in organising the Outgames,” says Board member Phylesha Brown-Acton “As a Board member, I will also be ensuring that the diverse range of views from across the community are heard and incorporated into the planning and delivery of the Asia Pacific Outgames.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 24th October 2014 - 8:53am