After six years as President of the Australian Baseball Federation (ABF), Mr Geoff Pearce has resigned as President and will be succeeded by Mr David Hynes, effective immediately.
Geoff Pearce will remain as a Director on the Board, continuing his thirteen years of consecutive service to the Federation.
During his tenure as President, Geoff led the sport of baseball through one of the most exciting eras in the history of our game. Geoff was fundamental in lobbying for, and delivering, the re-established Australian Baseball League (ABL) in 2010, an initiative developed in conjunction with Major League Baseball; a partnership Geoff has nurtured and grown over the past decade.
Geoff’s leadership has seen the ABF cement its position as a leader in the Australian grassroots sporting landscape. Throughout his tenure, Geoff’s portfolios have included National Competitions & Events, Sponsorship, Commercial Affairs and Governance. His leadership has ensured continual outstanding corporate governance, financial stability and successful international performance for the ABF. He is also credited with securing Australia’s integration into the World’s biggest baseball tournament, the World Baseball Classic.
Geoff Pearce leaves a legacy to Australian baseball that leaves the future looking prosperous for the sport.
“I am delighted to have led the Australian Baseball Federation over the past six years. I had the good fortune of being supported by an extremely passionate and dedicated Board of Directors throughout my tenure; and I would like to thank my fellow Board members for their enormous contribution and support,” Pearce said.
“I wish David the best of luck in his role as President, and I am confident that he will provide exceptional leadership, and take the sport to new heights as it enters its next growth phase.”
“In addition I would thank the State and Territory Associations, whose ongoing support has been an integral component of the success our sport has achieved,” said Pearce.
Geoff will be succeeded as ABF President by existing ABF Board Director, Mr David Hynes.
David joined the ABF Board as the Director of High Performance, Baseball Operations and Olympics, in 2007.
A former junior and senior national baseball team representative, Hynes was an integral member of the 1996 Australian National team that competed in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. A player in the former Australian Baseball League (with both Sydney and Brisbane); David is respected amongst the baseball fraternity as both a player and an administrator.
Hynes is the Executive Director of Winston Langley and is a lawyer by profession. The former Olympian has or currently serves as a director of a number of leading Australian companies, including Balmain Tigers (1999-2004), Wests Tigers (2003-2004), Australian University Sport (2005-2007), Manchester Unity Australia Limited (2004-2008), Australian Baseball Federation (2007-current), Sydney Markets Limited (current), and the Sydney University Senate Sports Committee. David was an Arbitrator on the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Appeals Tribunals and is a member of the Carbine Club of NSW.
David possess a strong passion for baseball, and his longstanding service within the Australian Baseball Community has seen him gain a clear understanding of what is pertinent to the development of our sport.
Speaking of his appointment, David Hynes stated:
“We face a number of challenges, however Australian Baseball has a strong governance structure, a solid developmental platform and an enormous growth opportunity with the re-establishment of the ABL. I join the ranks of some impressive and passionate people in my role as President. It is an honour to take over the role from Geoff Pearce – a true gentleman whose longstanding contribution to Australian baseball is without measure.”
The ABF would like to sincerely thank Geoff Pearce for his exemplary service to Australian Baseball as President and approaches the future with confidence knowing that his expertise and experience will be accessible in his role as a Director of the Board.
The ABF would also like to welcome David Hynes to his role as President of the ABF, and look forward to working with David to grow the sport in the future.
