Shaping the future of sports governance

Panel Discussion

Speaker(s): Ben Sandford, Karen Vercoe, Deryck Shaw
Date: 5:30pm — 7:30pm, 11 March 2026
Venue: To be confirmed - Rotorua
Location: Rotorua
Price members: $25.00 incl GST
Price non-members: $40.00 incl GST

Overview

Strong governance is essential to the future of sport at every level. From local clubs and school boards to regional and national organisations, sporting boards are navigating increasing complexity while working to keep sport sustainable, inclusive, and connected to the communities they serve.

This Institute of Directors evening event in Rotorua brings together three highly experienced speakers to share practical insights into effective sporting governance in Aotearoa New Zealand. The discussion will explore real challenges facing boards, including decision-making, board culture, participant wellbeing, and long-term sustainability.

The evening will also touch on the importance of understanding the communities that organisations serve, and how governance that is informed, respectful, and responsive can strengthen trust, relationships, and outcomes over time. In the context of Aotearoa, this includes recognising the role of Māori communities within the sporting landscape and the value of perspectives that support enduring, community-connected organisations.

This event is designed for decision makers in sporting governance, including clubs, schools, regional bodies, and national organisations.

Join us for an engaging evening of practical insight, shared learning, and connection.

Ben Sandford

Ben Sandford is a three-time Olympian in Skeleton and one of New Zealand’s most accomplished winter sports athletes. He won a bronze medal at the 2012 World Championships and achieved multiple World Cup podium finishes before retiring from elite competition following the Sochi Olympic Games in 2014.

Alongside his sporting career, Ben has made a significant contribution to sports governance and integrity. He served on the WADA Athlete Committee from 2012 to 2019 and was its Chair from 2019 to 2022, during which time he was an ex-officio, non-voting member of the WADA Executive Committee and Foundation Board. Ben has also held senior roles with the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, the NZOC Athletes and Integrity Commissions, and was the founding Chair of the DFSNZ Athlete Commission.

Ben is a member of the 2021 and 2027 World Anti-Doping Code drafting teams and chairs the 2027 International Standard for Testing drafting group. He holds law and arts degrees from Victoria University of Wellington and an Executive LLM in International Sports Law, and practises as a lawyer at Sandford Wall.

Karen Vercoe

Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Mākino

Karen Vercoe is an accomplished governor and executive with extensive experience across government, iwi, sport and the not-for-profit sectors. She is widely recognised for her strategic leadership, system reform expertise and commitment to delivering enduring outcomes for Māori.

In 2015, Karen authored the landmark Māori Sport Review, which catalysed significant structural and policy change across the sport system. She was appointed to the Board of Sport New Zealand in 2021 and, in 2023, became the Inaugural Chair of the Sport NZ Taumata Māori.

A former dual international in women’s rugby (Black Fern #72) and touch, Karen has coached at all levels, from grassroots to club rugby. She has held significant governance leadership roles, including Chair of Te Pumautanga o Te Arawa and Chair of the Data Iwi Leaders Group, where she led negotiations of Mana Orite Agreements on behalf of 73 iwi.

Karen is Owner and Managing Director of KTV Consulting Ltd and holds multiple iwi-mandated governance roles. She was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in 2021 and lives on her papakāinga in Mourea, Rotorua.

Deryck Shaw

CFInstD

Deryck has extensive experience across governance, business, sport, community and consultancy roles. He holds undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in science and resource management from the Universities of Waikato, Lincoln and Canterbury.

A highly regarded governance professional, Deryck is a Chartered Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Directors and holds memberships with the New Zealand Association of Economists, New Zealand Institute of Management, New Zealand Planning Institute, Royal Society of New Zealand, New Zealand Research Association and New Zealand Recreation Association.

Deryck currently chairs Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, Wai-Kōkopu Inc, Waimangu Volcanic Valley and the New Zealand Walking Association, and is Chair of the Rotorua Walking Festival. He is also a director of Waitangi Ltd and the New Zealand Holiday Parks Association, and serves on the boards of Blake NZ and the New Zealand Tourism Industry Association. He is Honorary President of Waikato Bay of Plenty Football.

His governance experience spans health, education, business and sport, including former roles as President of New Zealand Football, board member of Oceania Football and the FIFA Stakeholder Committee, and leadership roles in football, athletics, triathlon, cycling and walking over more than three decades.

Additional information

Should you have any dietary, mobility, cultural or other requirements, you can let us know on the registration form.

By registering for this event you are confirming that you agree to adhere to our event terms and conditions.

Branch event cancellation policy

Regrettably, registration fees cannot be refunded when cancellations are received within two working days prior to any branch event. See our standard terms and conditions for more information.