"Volunteers are the lifeblood in the non-profit sector, feeding new generations at the top level whether it be professional players, coaches and officials in sport, or competent leaders in Scouts. Communication, consultation and transparency are all critical factors in the successful management of such organisations and their respective communities," he said.
"The new zone structure places an emphasis on bringing together both ends of the sport, from the primary school team right through to the Haier Pulse at the elite level."
Hooper will be supported by a board that fully represents the three regions within the zone, Western, Eastern and Wellington, in a move which is part of Netball New Zealand's plan to change from a 12-region model to five major zones.
Netball throughout the Central Zone will see 22 netball centres merge into 17, and they will operate as clusters such as Wellington, Manawatu, Wairarapa and Napier.
The formation of the Netball Central Zone board sees the dissolution of the Central Pulse board and the Eastern, Western and Wellington boards, with the new board retaining the experience of chairman Ian Collier and board members Kerry Prendergast, Sue Gordon (Central Pulse), Sue Gould (Western) and Lee-Ann Taylor (Eastern). Other members include Shaun Clarke, Carol Sander (Wellington) and Chris McGeown.
Hooper will be taking up his role with Netball Central early next month.
