Tennis SA appoints former Arsenal FC administrator as new CEO

Tennis South Africa (TSA) have announced the appointment of Richard Glover as Chief Executive Officer of the organisation from October 1.

Glover‚ 40‚ has a wealth of experience in the sports industry‚ both locally and internationally‚ having spent time at both Arsenal Football Club in London and Cricket South Africa.

While living in the United Kingdom‚ he also completed his MBA at Kingston University Business School.

Glover is currently Managing Director of Frontiers Sport and Entertainment‚ a sports marketing agency‚ which he helped launch in 2012.

Frontiers have offices in Johannesburg‚ Cape Town and Nairobi and their clients include the Sharks‚ the Comrades Marathon‚ SA Hockey Association‚ EFC Worldwide‚ Kenyan Premier League and the Kenya Rugby Union.

“Richard brings a wealth of commercial experience to South African tennis‚” said TSA President Gavin Crookes.

“He has a deep understanding of sport marketing‚ both locally and internationally‚ and I believe he will help to uplift South African tennis and bring some of the glory days back to the sport.”

Glover has spent the last few weeks speaking to people involved in the sport‚ in order to understand where tennis is currently positioned in SA.

“Like every sports federation in this country‚ Tennis South Africa has its share of challenges‚ but there are a lot of positive things happening in the sport – including a growing junior programme and strong corporate governance‚" Glover said.

“Tennis is also a unique sport in that it appeals to both men and women and is played by people from the age of eight to 80. These are strong foundations from which to build.”

Glover’s top priority‚ he said‚ is to raise the profile of Tennis South Africa.

“We must give key stakeholders – whether it be players‚ fans‚ or potential sponsors – reasons to believe in tennis. We need to tell our story better. ”

The new CEO has strong views on transformation and development.

“TSA must embrace transformation at all levels. It is critical for the sport both from a moral and sustainability perspective. However‚ the fan base is a lot more transformed than people may think‚" he said.

“According to recent research data I saw‚ the number one tennis fans in South Africa are black women based in Gauteng. That is an incredibly exciting insight and is something we can leverage in the future.”

Glover worked with Arsenal's media department and was general manager of Arsenal Broadband‚ which administers the London football club's website.

- TMG Digital