Ryan has been working under contract for SNZ delivering coaching and judging education programmes for the past four years. The appointment brings Ryan into the management team on a full time basis where he will be able to expand on the delivery of the education programmes and carry out further work to develop the sport of surfing.
Lee has already built up strong working relationships with key sporting industry players such as the International Surfing Association and the Association of Surfing Professionals.
Surfing New Zealand CEO Greg Townsend is delighted with the new appointment. “Bringing Lee in to the management team will enhance our ability to work on the initiatives outlined in the strategic plan” said Townsend. “Lee has a proven track record with the work he has already completed for Surfing New Zealand and over the past four years he has also shown a sound skill set that will add further value to the organisation” added Townsend.
Lee will also work alongside the management team developing a national coaching programme, engaging with the surfing community through boardrider clubs and increasing the structure around the development of our athletes at community, regional and national levels.
“I am stoked to be part of the Surfing New Zealand team. There is a lot of scope for development in the sport of surfing and I am looking forward to getting stuck in” said Ryan of his appointment.
Lee Ryan immigrated to New Zealand from the United Kingdom in 2006, where he worked for the British Surfing Association as a Trainer/Assessor.
A former competitive surfer on both short and longboards, Ryan competed as a full time professional on the ASP World Longboard Tour from 1995 to 2006. He has nine British National Titles to his name and finished ninth in the ASP Oxbow World Longboard Championships in Raglan in 2004 where he fell in love with the country and its’ people and decided to make NZ his home.
Since hanging up the contest vest Lee moved into officiating the sport. Lee is a well respected ASP and ISA judge and is the head judge for the popular Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour.
Media Release: Ben Kennings, Surfing NZ Friday, 09 July 2010