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Sharks’ chiefs broaden their sporting horizons

Jenny Dixon
31/ 1/2007

SHARKS' chiefs are branching out into other sports besides rugby, it has emerged in the last week.

Sharks' multi-millionaire owner Brian Kennedy was revealed as the money man behind the failed consortium bid to buy football club Wolverhampton Wanderers.

And yesterday (Tuesday), Sharks chief executive Niels de Vos was unveiled as the new chief executive of UK Athletics.

The departure of de Vos will not occur until the current season ends, although Kennedy says the search for his replacement will begin immediately.

De Vos said: "It is with some regret that I am announcing that I will be leaving Sale Sharks at the end of the current season in order to take up the post of chief executive of UK Athletics.

"The new job offers me the chance to combine my business and sports administration experience in a sport that is my personal passion.

"Leading the premier Olympic sport into London 2012 is an opportunity that presents itself perhaps once in a lifetime."

Meanwhile, Sharks' owner Kennedy has not denied his involvement in the takeover bid for Wolves, fronted by former Liverpool manager Graeme Souness.

A £20million offer was made by the consortium but turned down by the Championship club.

Owner Sir Jack Hayward said he invites further offers, and is willing to sell for £20m, but wants assurances about the club's future direction.

• SHARKS back-row Sebastien Chabal has been named in France's squad for their opening match of the Six Nations against Italy this weekend.

His club-mate, hooker Sebastien Bruno, has been left out of the France squad.

Sale captain Jason Robinson and Magnus Lund are both in England's starting line-up for their opening match against Scotland on Saturday.