Wakefield step up licence application
Wakefield have stepped up their preparations to manage their application for an Engage Super League licence in 2011 by strengthening their senior management team.
Mrs Diane Maskill, who is currently the club’s Executive Director, steps up to become the Wildcat’s new Managing Director, while Francis Stephenson is being promoted from his current position as General Manager to that of Director of Operations.
At the same time the Wildcats have appointed their former Community Marketing Director and player James Elston to become their new Chief Executive.
James is currently Operations Manager with Engage Super League club Hull Kingston Rovers, the club he joined after leaving the Wildcats staff a year ago. He is expected to take up his new post at the Hearwell Stadium with immediate effect.
Ted Richardson, the chairman of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, said: “Both the licensing process and our plan to move away from the Hearwell Stadium, will present this club with significant challenges.
“We have to put the right people in place to meet those challenges and the club’s Board of Directors believe that by promoting both Diane and Francis, and bringing James back to the club, will give us a senior management team that can provide the inspirational leadership necessary to achieve those ends.
“It is crucial for the future of the Wildcats that we have a vibrant management team supported by a staff that are committed to taking the club forward and achieving its ambitions both on and off the field of play. I believe we now have those assets in place.
“Under Diane’s control the club’s administration has developed significantly while Francis’s promotion reflects the natural progression following his work with the club during the last three years.”
Diane Maskill said: “I’m delighted to be given a new role within the Wildcats organisation and relish taking on the challenges that the club faces within the next two or three years.”
Francis Stephenson said: “Being a member of Super League brings new game-day and stadium responsibilities for clubs like the Wildcats and I’m looking forward to taking the club up to the next level in both those areas.”
James Elston said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for me at a forward looking club and we’re at the start of a very important journey in which the club needs to stratgetically develop its off-the-field operation working towards the new stadium development in 2012,.
“I’m delighted to be back the Wildcats and looking forward to hitting the ground running.”