Karl Whalen Appointed New UTSNZ Board Chair as Anne Marie Parsons Concludes Second Term

UTSNZ is pleased to confirm the appointment of Karl Whalen as the new Chair of its Board, following the completion of Anne-Marie Parsons’ second and final term. Anne-Marie, who has served as Chair since August 2022 and has been a key member of the UTSNZ Board since 2019, officially steps down from the leadership role this month.

Anne-Marie’s tenure with UTSNZ has been marked by her deep commitment to student wellbeing, inclusion, and holistic development through sport. Drawing on a career spanning over 20 years in higher education in both New Zealand and Australia, Anne-Marie brought a student-centred lens to UTSNZ’s strategic direction and operations.

Reflecting on her time with the organisation, Anne-Marie said, “It has been a privilege to serve on the UTSNZ Board and to lead it over the past few years. I am incredibly proud of the strides we’ve made to strengthen the role of sport in enhancing student wellbeing, leadership, and community. The future of tertiary sport in Aotearoa is in excellent hands, and I look forward to watching the continued growth and success of UTSNZ.”

During her leadership, UTSNZ has embedded a strong national tertiary competition structure, and further developed its workforce and international engagement strategies. Anne-Marie’s influence will continue to be felt across the sector, particularly in the emphasis she placed on creating inclusive, supportive, and enriching student environments.

Incoming Chair Karl Whalen brings a wealth of experience to the role, currently serving Head of Sport and Recreation at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. With more than 20 years in the university sport sector, Karl has been a strong advocate for the transformative power of sport and the value it adds to the student experience.

A member of the UTSNZ Board since 2020 and currently serving his second term, Karl is also a representative on the FISU Oceania Executive Committee. He is excited to take on this new leadership challenge.

“I’m honoured to be stepping into the role of Chair and building on the excellent work led by Anne-Marie,” said Karl. “UTSNZ plays a critical role in enhancing the tertiary experience through sport, and I look forward to supporting our talented team and partners as we continue to deliver on our strategic goals and unlock new opportunities for students. With the experience and capability we currently have around the UTSNZ Board table, and a strong sense of motivation for the term ahead, I’m confident we’re well positioned to achieve great things.”

A former national league footballer with over 100 ASB Premiership appearances, Karl brings not only strategic insight but also a deep personal passion for sport. Based in Wellington, he balances his professional commitments with family life, trail running, and sharing his love of sport with his two children.

The UTSNZ Board extends its sincere thanks to Anne-Marie for her outstanding service and congratulates Karl on his appointment as Chair.

Also confirmed at the recent UTSNZ Annual General Meeting held on 21 May was the election of Albertine Eaton, University of Auckland Sport Development Manager and Acting Student Engagement Manager, to the UTSNZ Board. Albertine replaces Anne-Marie Parsons and brings valuable experience in both student sport development and institutional engagement.