Netball: Tactix chief executive on arson charge

A Christchurch businessman charged with arson is Canterbury Tactix netball chief executive Anthony John Dawson, it was revealed when name suppression lifted today.

Dawson, 43, charged with arson of a central Christchurch building, was remanded by a registrar for a post-committal conference on August 27.

That type of remand indicates he intends to defend the charges.

He was granted interim name suppression at his first appearance in court on June 24 but defence counsel indicated the order would not be renewed today and no application for it was made.

Dawson is charged with extensively damaging a Cambridge Terrace property by fire on June 7, with the intention of causing loss to a company.

He is also charged that on June 10 he dishonestly used a Vero insurance claim form.

Dawson remains on bail.

He is on leave from his role with the Tactix, the Canterbury franchise in trans-Tasman netball championship, which has its final this weekend in Adelaide.

Tactix chairman Kevin Eder told NZPA he would not discuss the implications of the court action, as that was an employment issue.

Dawson was stood down initially for three days, "and that was because quite simply it came out of the blue, and it was gave all parties time to step back and take stock of the situation", Mr Eder said.

He had been on leave since, and remained on leave.

"It's business as usual at the Tactix," Mr Eder said.

- NZPA