RYA Northern Ireland has announced the appointment of Greg Yarnall as its new chief operating officer.
Currently development director with Table Tennis England, he will join the RYANI in September 2022. He succeeds Richard Honeyford, who took up a new post as executive manager of the NI Sports Forum earlier this summer.
Yarnall has significant experience in the sport, recreation and charity sectors, working as part of the senior leadership team with Table Tennis England since 2016, having previously worked in management positions for Beanstalk Charity and Northamptonshire Sport.
He has also been an active coach and volunteer across a wide range of sports for the past 20 years.
“It is an honour to take on the chief operating officer role for RYANI and I would like to thank the board of RYANI for giving me this opportunity,” Yarnall said.
“The sports sector has been through some challenging times over the past couple of years and I am excited to start working with the team of staff, the board and the clubs, volunteers, centres and partners across Northern Ireland, to continue and grow the work of RYANI.
Susan McKnight, chair of RYANI said: “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Richard Honeyford for his hard work as former chief operating officer and we wish him well in his new role. I would also like to thank Gayle Logan for her work as interim chief operating officer and leading the team over these few months until our new COO starts in September.
“I am pleased to extend a warm welcome Greg Yarnall to the RYANI team. We are delighted that Greg has accepted the post as chief operating officer and I am confident that his appointment and extensive experience will be a fantastic asset to our sport.
“This is an exciting time for sailing and boating and I am looking forward to seeing the team continue their dedicated work under Greg’s leadership.”