Football: Valued United manager steps down

Matt Hastings.

Hawkes Bay United Football Club's operations manager Matt Hastings is stepping down from his role on June 17 after two years with the club.

In 2014 Hastings was the events, marketing and media manager, a joint role with Central Football and Hawkes Bay United. In August 2015, he moved into the operations manager role for the club and made a significant contribution to the successes over that period.

Hastings will next month take on a Gisborne-based general sales manager job with Media Works. "It has been an absolute pleasure being part of the Hawkes Bay United franchise since 2009, first as a player, and then to be given the operational roles in the game for the club was a dream come true," Hastings said.

"This club has given me so much since I first arrived here in the Bay all those years ago, and I feel that in my time as operations manager, with all of the support from the board and football public, I can leave the club in a better position that when I first started," Hastings said.

"I am looking forward to taking up this exciting new adventure with my family.

"Without all of the support and guidance from everyone involved with the franchise, I would not have this been given this next opportunity, so I am extremely thankful to everyone.

I will still support the club and be back in the summer to catch a few games and support the club on home game day," Hastings added.

Club chairperson Paula Walker wished Hastings well with his opportunities ahead.

"There is no doubt that Hawkes Bay United, and the wider football community, are losing a highly valued member of the club, and his enthusiasm and drive will be sorely missed," Walker said.

"We now start the recruitment process to find another talented and dedicated person to put their own touch to the great work Matt and the club have planned for the 2016/17 season ahead," she added.

Hastings has yet to decide which Gisborne club he will join.