ICE HOCKEY AUSTRALIA (IHA) APPOINTS MS. SHAE GAÑAC AND MR. GROVE BENNETT AS BOARD DIRECTORS
Published Thu 02 Sep 2021
Sydney, AUSTRALIA – Ice Hockey Australia (IHA) is pleased to announce Ms. Shae Gañac and Mr. Grove Bennett as Board Directors of IHA effective 31st August 2021.
Ms. Shae Gañac
IHA is pleased to announce that Ms. Shae Gañac has been appointed as a Director of IHA, filling one of our recently vacated Elected Director positions with 2 years remaining.
“I am incredibly excited to be appointed and thank Ice Hockey Australia (IHA) for the opportunity of joining the IHA Board of Directors. I look forward to contributing towards achieving its goals and in continuing to develop as a progressive and successful winter sport in Australia. To one day see our Australian athletes don the green and gold on the Olympic stage, amongst the worlds best and achieve sustained competitive success, is a vision that I would love to someday witness become a reality.” – Shae Gañac
Shae comes to the Board with excellent hockey credentials including being a 6-time AWIHL Champion, having won a gold medal with the Philippines Women’s National Team at the IIHF Women’s Challenge Cup of Asia, and having held numerous positions on Member and Club boards dating back to 2005. In addition to her hockey experience, Shae’s professional career has led to working with the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia.
Mr. Grove Bennett
IHA is pleased to announce that Mr. Grove Bennett has been appointed as a Director of IHA, filling one of our recently vacated Elected Director positions with 2 years remaining.
Grove brings a wealth of high-level professional experience including having served as Chairman, President and CFO on publicly listed companies. Grove’s strengths are in leadership, communication, developing ownership & strategic development through planning, integration and maintenance that is for the benefit of the collective group and in line with a shared vision.
Grove comes from a strong hockey lineage, having played and coached for many years, and previously taking on the role of General Manager of the Melbourne Ice (AIHL). In addition, he has volunteered his time focusing on grassroots development whilst acting as Delegate for the Board for one of our MAs and its clubs.
“The opportunity to work with and represent IHA as a Director is truly an honour and humbling. IHA has such a long history filled with success on and off the ice, our nations pride and desires to accomplish dreams and goals punching way above our international ice hockey weight class is an inspiration to us all. It will be challenging to continue to build upon the legacy that has been established to date, yet crucial to our national teams’ approach to strive for even greater success.” – Grove Bennett.
Mr. Jimmy Dufour, Vice President of IHA stated:
“The additions of Shae and Grove further strengthen our Board, the vast experience and knowledge that they bring is integral to the continued success of our sport on a national level. With the recent addition of Dr. Ryan O’Handley a few weeks ago, I am more confident every day that we are better positioned to provide the necessary direction and leadership that is expected of our board.”
About: Ice Hockey Australia
Ice Hockey Australia (IHA) is the official national governing body of ice hockey in Australia and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. It was first established in 1908, making it one of the oldest national ice hockey associations in the world and governs an eight-team, semi-professional league, known as the Australian Ice Hockey League.
