With RLEF set to appoint a new general
manager, and with the outgoing Danny Kazandjian having taken up a global role with the International Federation, officially starting today, tribute has been paid to his
efforts by European Federation chairman Maurice Watkins, MBE.
“Whilst I wish
Danny all the very best in his new role within the sport with the International
Federation, I and the board are very sorry to lose him from the European
Federation,” said Watkins. “However with his skill set it is understandable why
the RLIF saw his value as their first global operations manager and
we will still continue to be in regular contact with him.
“In his time at the
helm, Danny has meticulously driven standards off the field to match the rising
ones on it, enabling the sport to grow sustainably from a solid foundation of
increased technical expertise.”
Watkins confirmed that Kazandjian has left a lasting legacy
with the organization for his successor to pick up on. “Danny has a required grasp of due process and
negotiation with over €1 million raised from public and private sectors where
previously there had been no such funding, and was responsible for beginning
important partnerships with the EU, UK Sport, Commonwealth Games Federation and
SportAccord,” Watkins noted.
“Danny also wrote
and implemented the RLEF 2010-17 strategy, creating vision and values for the
federation, emphasising the need for domestic championships and technical
coaching and match official education via a cluster system, which has seen a
doubling of members with their own competitions and subsequent official
government recognitions.
“He was at pains to
put members at the centre of the RLEF’s work and created our annual membership
audit ensuring greater compliance and transparency across the organisation, as well
as being technical director for a number of key events from World Cup
qualifiers to the now established U19s European Championships.”
With initial interviews having been undertaken,
it is expected that Kazandjian’s replacement will be announced within the next
week.