After 27 years as boss of New Zealand Tennis, Ian Wells has stepped aside.
Sixty-one-year-old Wells handed the chairman's reins to Wellington lawyer and high-profile sports agent David Howman at this week's NZT board meeting.
The move comes amidst restructuring which followed a report recommended by a "ginger group" chaired by sports facilitator Dai Gilbertson.
"We needed to look at the way we ran the board," said Howman. "But to say Ian Wells was dumped is totally wrong. The changes were made by consensus and Ian decided it was time to step aside.
"In being asked to take over as chairman I feel it is a way of saying to Ian `thanks very much, you have done your bit',"said Howman. "I'll start with a clean sheet of paper. We are about to reconstitute the board and co-opt some people - mostly from outside tennis - on to what I hope will be a nationally-, rather than Wellington-, based body.
"My task is to drive policy and ensure our link with the international body remains secure. Above all though, we have to get out and look at the needs of the players - we already have a strong coaching base - as we strive to get three more Brett Stevens on the world circuit."
While the national association seems certain to again show a substantial loss on this year's balance sheet, the Hillary Commission has not put any pressure on NZT.
"We never put the hard word on them or suggested that Ian Wells should go as chairman," said Hillary Commission chief executive Peter Dale. "We are very happy in our relationship with New Zealand Tennis.
"Ian Wells is a damn good administrator who has carried the load for many years. The $150,000 we have pledged to tennis for the next three years is not in jeopardy," said Dale. "Thankfully, he is to remain on the board."
Wells, who has been on the sport's governing body for 32 years, will remain as Davis Cup manager and still have an input into NZT's international programme.
"It was the right time to step down," said Wells. "I went along with the review and am happy to continue in whatever role they want."
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