Katie Flanagan appointed as Vice-President of Hockey WA

Katie Flanagan appointed as Vice-President of Hockey WA

Hockey WA is delighted to confirm the appointment of three leading individuals to its future-focussed Board.
 
Katie Flanagan has been appointed as Hockey WA’s Vice-President, with Natalie Browning and Dr Hannes Gebauer OAM appointed as Directors.
 
Katie Flanagan, who joined the Hockey WA Board in August 2020, has been promoted to Vice-President following the retirement of highly credentialled sports administrator Narelle Finch. Katie brings extensive hockey knowledge, with in-depth experience developing sports strategy, coordinating sports programs, running competitions and managing elite performance. In addition to Flanagan’s sporting experience, her professional career spans research management, international relations and diplomacy, government sporting agencies and local sporting and community organisations. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a Fellow of Leadership Western Australia.

Natalie Browning has been a Director of the CBH Board since February 2018 and was appointed as its Deputy Chair in April 2020. Natalie has lived in the Wheatbelt her entire life, held multiple hockey club executive leadership positions in the region and operates a 7500-hectare property with her husband - Browning is currently Chair of the Narembeen District High School Board and has completed the Executive Leadership Program Co-operatives and Mutuals facilitated by University of Western Australia Business School and the Australian Institute of Management. She is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Business Law) at Curtin University.

Dr Hannes Gebauer OAM has played more than 500 games for Old Aquinians Hockey Club in addition to serving as its President from 2004-2012 and crowned both a Life Member in 2009 and Patron in 2021. Dr Gebauer is a specialist medical practitioner, serving the Australasian College of Dermatologists in numerous capacities including both Secretary and Chairman of the WA Faculty. He was awarded an OAM for services to Medicine in the field of Dermatology and Hockey in 2016, and is a Fellow of both the Australian Institute of Management WA (2017-present) and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (2017-present). Dr Gebauer is also one of Perth’s leading property developers.

Hockey WA President Michael Henderson said the appointments highlighted Hockey WA’s significant growth trajectory across Western Australia and into the region.

“We’re incredibly pleased and fortunate to both have Katie take up the role as Vice-President, with Natalie and Hannes also joining us on the Board,” Henderson said.

“These three individuals are highly experienced and capable directors who will make a great impact on Hockey WA’s immediate growth plans and into the future.

“We’re particularly pleased with Katie and Natalie’s appointments – following Hockey WA’s ongoing focus on gender-equal Board representation.

“I also want to specifically highlight and congratulate the departing Board members – former Vice-President Narelle Finch, Garry Fitzpatrick (past President) and Peter Westlund (past Vice-President) – for their enormous contributions to hockey in this State over an extended period of time. To Narelle, Garry and Peter, thank you!

“Hockey WA has a strong and dynamic Board, further consolidated by these new appointments, and with our new CEO Mr Fabian Ross in place, we are looking forward to creating Western Australia as a unique global focus in hockey."