Paralympic NZ representatives seek International leadership roles

Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) is pleased to confirm that two highly respected New Zealand Paralympic leaders, Duane Kale and Mark Copeland, have their sights set on   international leadership roles within the Paralympic movement.

Duane Kale is standing for election to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board.  He is one of 27 nominees for Member at Large positions to be decided at the upcoming elections on 24 November at the IPC General Assembly in Athens, Greece.  A total of 10 Members at Large will be elected by the IPC membership.

"I know that Duane is eager to collaborate with our international counterparts and further enhance the Paralympic movement," said Fiona Allan, CEO, Paralympics New Zealand, " As a Paralympian, Team Manager and Chef de Mission I believe that Duane has a unique depth of understanding of the Paralympic Games from a diverse perspective. He would be a great contributor to the continued growth of Paralympic sporting success”.

Duane Kale is best known for his outstanding performance in Swimming at the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games winning six medals (4 Gold, I Silver, 1 Bronze) and breaking four world records.  Most recently he was Chef de Mission of the highly successful New Zealand teams at both the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Paralympic Games.  He is a PNZ Board Member and has an extensive commercial finance career as a Senior Manager in ANZ Bank and has taken on many lead roles in governance and compliance. 

The Oceania Paralympic Committee held its AGM this week and Mark Copeland (Chairperson, PNZ) was elected as Secretary General, Oceania Paralympic Committee.

Fiona Allan, CEO, PNZ and outgoing Secretary General, Oceania Paralympic Committee says, “The support from New Zealand and Australia is critical to enhance the Paralympic movement in the Oceania region.”  She continues, “The diversity of the Oceania member nations provides a wealth of natural talent, and with the right support and guidance they have the ability to produce more medal winning Paralympians”.

Mark will commence the role as Secretary General immediately for a 4 year term through Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. He is the Principal and Director of Rotorua based commercial law firm MJC Legal Limited.  He is involved in a variety of recreation and sports organisations as Chairman of Paralympics New Zealand, Trustee of Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoors Pursuits Centre of NZ and Trustee of Sport Bay of Plenty.