TTNZ Leadership Team
TTNZ is led by a dedicated Board of Directors and supported by a skilled management team. Together, they provide strategic leadership and operational expertise to grow and strengthen the sport of table tennis across NZ.
The Board focuses on the long-term vision of the organisation, guiding TTNZ with integrity and ensuring alignment with its strategic goals. Their role includes fostering participation, supporting high-performance pathways, and championing the sport on both national and international stages.
The management team works across key areas including operations, development, partnerships, marketing, and community engagement. Their goal is to deliver meaningful programmes and initiatives that make table tennis more accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable for all New Zealanders.
Together, the Board and management team are committed to building a strong, sustainable future for table tennis in New Zealand.
TTNZ Management Team
CEO
Izania Downie CMinstD
izania@tabletennis.nz
Izania Downie leads the TTNZ operational team with passion, empathy and clarity. She is driven, well organised and digitally savvy. Izania leads the implementation of the strategic plan, financial management and regulatory responsibilities as the Executive Officer of TTNZ.
Izania brings a diverse and rich background to her role, shaped by leadership positions across multiple sectors. She is the former CEO of the events industry association for Europe based in the UK and has a history of Executive Team roles in technology and tourism. Izania has exceptional leadership, empathetic people skills and strategic foresight. She is a Chartered Director and has been providing consulting to Boards & Executive teams on strategy development, governance best practice, brand, and digital transformation. Additionally, her dedication to the not-for-profit sector, coupled with her governance background underscores her distinctive leadership approach.
Beyond her professional life, Izania is passionate about holistic health, wellbeing and making a difference. She serves as Company Secretary on the Board of her local lawn bowls club, where she has helped lead efforts in modernisation and club development. A recent convert to table tennis, she enjoys a social game and the connection it brings. Izania is a restorative yoga teacher, meditation practitioner and is developing her artistic skills at Browne’s School of Art. Izania is a lifelong learner and committed to personal growth and holistic wellbeing.
Development Manager
Jessica MacAskill
Email: jessica@tabletennis.nz Mobile: 022 190 6413
Jessica is part of our Operations Team as TTNZ’s Development Manager. In this senior role, she is responsible for designing development frameworks, coordinating resources, initiating pilot programmes, and reviewing learnings to ensure strategic initiatives are delivered effectively and align with TTNZ’s goals. She also oversees the growth of key development priorities and manages important stakeholder relationships, helping drive the sport forward. In addition to her core responsibilities, Jess mentors the wider TTNZ team. During her tenure Jess has played a pivotal role in launching TT Kidz and growing NZ’s Para table tennis community. She is instrumental in supporting Matthew Britz’s Paralympic campaign, providing guidance and encouragement on his journey.
Starting her table tennis journey in Invercargill, Jess went on to represent New Zealand as a youth player. She remains deeply committed to the growth of the sport, with a strong passion for both Para table tennis and development in the Oceania region. On a personal level, Jess enjoys spending time with her dog Louie and unwinding with a few hits at her local stadium in Waikato.
Operations Manager
Marcelle Jackson
Email: ttnz@tabletennis.nz Mobile: 022 682 9581
Marcelle has been working as TTNZ’s Operations Manager since January 2024. In her role, she helps make sure everything runs smoothly day-to-day and supports the long-term goals of the organisation. Marcelle’s main duties include day to day financial administration, international travel for our players, coaches and team managers and supporting our CEO to ensure we follow good processes in all operational areas. She manages the ranking system and oversees child safeguarding. Marcelle ensures that our national camps and international trips are well-planned and run smoothly.
A mother of two daughters who play water polo, Marcelle has long been an active member of the New Zealand sporting community. Stepping into this role at TTNZ felt like a natural fit, given her familiarity with the sports environment. Outside of work, she enjoys attending music concerts and spending time with her family and cat.
Partnership Manager (North)
Shane Laugesen
Email: shane@tabletennis.nz Mobile: 022 063 0886
Shane plays a key supporting role to the clubs and member associations across the upper North Island, helping to grow and strengthen table tennis in local communities. He is the main point of contact for Northland, North Shore, Waitemata, Auckland, Counties-Manukau, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, North Taranaki, and Whanganui. Shane oversees coach development, organises national tournaments in his areas, and works to bring more clubs into the TT Kidz programme. His efforts are central to building a strong foundation for table tennis at the grassroots level. Shane is passionate about table tennis and committed to growing his associations with increased capacity and expertise.
Shane proudly represented New Zealand at three Commonwealth Games. He competed in Manchester 2002 (8th place), Melbourne 2006 (9th), and achieved a 5th-place finish in the team event at Glasgow 2014. He then went on to live and play in France where he met his wife before bringing her home to NZ to start their family in Tauranga. Outside of table tennis, Shane enjoys spending quality time with his daughters and is a big fan of spicy Korean fried chicken.
Partnership Manager (Central & South)
John Cordue
Email: john@tabletennis.nz Mobile: Ph: 022 457 1598
John plays a key supporting role to the member associations in his regions, helping them deliver and grow table tennis in their communities. As the main point of contact for Manawatu, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury, South Canterbury, Otago, and Southland, John works behind the scenes to ensure smooth day-to-day operations and provides ongoing support to clubs and associations. He is responsible for organising national tournaments in his areas of care, leads coach development initiatives, and supports the onboarding of more clubs into the TT Kidz programme. His work is vital in strengthening table tennis at the community level.
John represented New Zealand in table tennis at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, his first appearance at the Games. A right-handed attacking player, he was ranked New Zealand men’s number one in 2009. That same year, he won the South Island Championships in a memorable final against his coach, and later claimed the 2011 Canterbury Open Men’s Singles title. Outside of table tennis, John enjoys walking trails with his family and playing chess with his young son whom he is training to follow in his footsteps and become a dedicated table tennis player. John continues to compete nationally to this day and is often found having a hit at his local stadium in Canterbury.
Marketing Communications & Commercial Manager
Laura Wong
Email: laura@tabletennis.nz Mobile: 022 373 8019
Laura plays a key role in promoting table tennis across New Zealand. Laura is responsible for creating and executing TTNZ's marketing and communication plans. She manages TTNZ social media presence, shares exciting stories from the table tennis community and works closely with the TTNZ team. Laura also handles media relations, writes press releases and responds to media inquiries. Laura manages the monthly e-newsletters, website and promotes TTNZ programmes and tournaments. Laura also oversees commercial relationships, helping TTNZ to develop revenue plans, manage funding and build partnerships that support TTNZ’s goals. Laura's role also includes the Frello membership system and team uniforms. Her efforts are vital in growing and promoting the sport.
Before joining TTNZ in January 2024, Laura spent 14 years at the Singapore Table Tennis Association. A dedicated Mum she takes her son swimming at 5am every morning and trains at the gym. She has just started having some table tennis lessons with the team and is excited to have a few social hits. Now based in New Zealand, she enjoys exploring nature, soaking up the scenic outdoors, and embracing the lifestyle change including our delicious Flat White coffees.
Development Coordinator
Naina Suri
Email: naina@tabletennis.nz Mobile: 027 324 6868
Naina Suri joined TTNZ as Development Coordinator in December 2024. In this role, she is responsible for the delivery of key programmes that align with TTNZ’s strategic goals, including TT Kidz, Para Camps, and Women and Girls initiatives. She also supports the Development Manager, helps coordinate logistics, implements officials development pathways, and provides administrative support across TTNZ’s national initiatives. Naina previously owned her own table tennis business in India that she ran with the help of her husband and she was a performance player for India. Naina arrived in NZ in 2022, and prior to joining TTNZ she worked in Table Tennis Northland, where she was involved in delivering school programmes, running holiday activities, junior clubs and competitions, and organising weekly training sessions for both squad and veteran players. As well as being a great player, Naina is digitally savvy and assists with TTNZ's online technologies.
On a personal level, Naina loves café hopping and is always on the lookout for cosy spots to enjoy her favourite order: a cappuccino with coconut milk, no sugar. Her ideal way to unwind is relaxing at a café window with her husband, soaking in the atmosphere over a good cup of coffee.
TTNZ Board Members
Christine (Chris) Arthur, Olympian #400, Board Chair:
Education & Employment: Chris was deputy principal of Auckland's Diocesan School for Girls before joining Sport New Zealand as its head of athlete life. She’s the TTNZ Board Chair and a board member of Auckland Hockey.
Sports Background: A passionate sportswoman, Chris played hockey for New Zealand for 11 years. That included playing in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1984 and Barcelona in 1992. She’s also a provincial representative in rugby, squash, touch and golf and has played social cricket, tennis and football. Chris has coached a range of sports and still coaches New Zealand age-group hockey teams.
Table Tennis Connection: Sport has been a huge part of Chris’s life and the opportunities she received were possible because of many volunteers and generous people. “So being involved in table tennis is my chance to give something back to a new sport,’’ Chris explained. “I want to help support everyone involved in table tennis to have an awesome experience where they can be challenged to grow, make friends and achieve their goals.’’
Fun Fact: Chris’s vast contribution to hockey was recognised by naming the national schoolgirls’ 2nd XI tournament the Chris Arthur Cup.
Murray Finch, Deputy Chair & Chair of Finance & Risk Committee:
Employment and other interests: Nearing retirement after 30 years as a financial adviser, Murray has a wide range of interests. They include working on a philanthropic foundation, hiking, kayaking, swimming, snorkelling and surfing, as well as literature, photography and hockey.
Table tennis background: Murray has fashioned an impressive record and involvement in our game. He first started playing when he was 15, represented New Zealand, had a career high national open ranking of seven and went on to become the national coach and TTNZ’s director of high performance.
Favourite table tennis achievement: Being the manager-coach of the New Zealand table tennis team at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.
Murray’s TTNZ board ambition: “I want to use the current opportunity to modernise and futureproof our sport by building a platform that would broaden the participants we capture and engage with. I also want to help increase the retention of those participants by improving the experiences they have.’’
Fun fact: Anyone for a wine? If so, Murray could be your man. He calls himself “something of a collector of wine’’, so much so that when he looks at his cellar he wonders if he will ever have time to drink it all.
Leanne Bats (Independent Board Member)
Employments and Interests
Leanne Bats is currently the Head of Digital and Innovation at Sport Waikato, where she leads technology-driven projects to boost participation and connect communities. She has previously held senior roles in sport innovation, including Head of Innovation at New Zealand Rugby, where she worked on enhancing the All Blacks and Black Ferns brands. Leanne also served as the ANZ Regional Partner for FC Barcelona, adding global perspective to her leadership. She brings expertise in strategy, brand development, and innovation.
Sports Background
Leanne has a strong background in elite sport, having worked with top-tier teams and organisations. Her work has centred on using technology and creative thinking to elevate performance, fan engagement, and community outreach.
Table Tennis Connection
While Leanne is new to the table tennis community, she brings with her a wealth of experience in sports governance and innovation, which will contribute significantly to the growth and future direction of TTNZ.
Fun Fact
Leanne played a key role in delivering a major FC Barcelona fan engagement initiative, connecting global sports innovation with local communities.
Helen Beumelburg
Employment and other interests: Helen is the Operations and Programmes Manager at a study abroad company, coordinating short-term study and travel programmes for US university students and professors in the South Pacific. Helen has worked in technical, business, and professional development roles, and taught English as a Second Language for over 10 years, including two years in Japan. She enjoys walking, gardening, travel, and her retro caravan.
Table tennis background: Helen Beumelburg is a dedicated member of the table tennis community, from junior player to parent, and now a senior competitor often teaming up with her daughter. She coaches beginners and Para players, and has contributed as an umpire and assistant coach at national Para and Women & Girls camps. She recently passed her International Umpire exam.
Favourite table tennis achievement: Winning the over 55 women's singles national title in 2023 and 2024.
TTNZ board ambition: "I want to use my experience within various aspects of the game, to contribute meaningfully to the future direction of table tennis in New Zealand. As well as seeing NZ players increasingly able to compete on the world stage, I would like to see growth in Para table tennis, increased participation of women and girls and more opportunities for social players."
Fun fact: Helen travelled to Antarctica by boat from South America.
Barry Griffiths, Olympian #554
Employment and other interests: Barry was CEO of ITTF-Oceania from 2019 to 2024, where he led the sport’s growth across the region through strong partnerships and development programmes. During this time, he led the strategic development of table tennis across the Oceania region, building strong partnerships, implementing impactful development programmes, and ensuring the sport's long-term sustainability. His experience as a CEO will undoubtedly make a positive difference for table tennis in New Zealand. He is now CEO of New Zealand Sleep, continuing to apply his leadership and strategic expertise.
Table Tennis Background:
An Auckland table tennis icon, Barry has won eight NZ Open singles titles, multiple doubles titles, and was NZ Player of the Year five times. He represented New Zealand at the 1988 Olympics and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.
Favourite table tennis achievement: He competed in the men's singles and the men's doubles events at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Board Ambition: "I want to give back to the sport and country that have given me so much. By drawing on my experience as a player and in leadership roles, I hope to support table tennis at all levels, helping it grow locally and thrive internationally."
Fun Fact: Barry is also a skilled pickleball player.
Ray Sheath
Employment and other interests: Ray Sheath brings more than 45 years of professional experience to the TTNZ Board, spanning public service, business ownership, and community governance. His career includes 22 years with the New Zealand Police, 16 years as an insurance specialist, and his current role as Co-Founder and Director of MyThingz, an award-winning digital innovation business.
Table Tennis Background: Table tennis has played a major role in Ray’s life for many years. As a player, he has won multiple National Age Group Championships and was selected for the New Zealand Veterans Team for three years, serving as Captain for two of those years. His leadership on and off the table later continued as New Zealand Team Manager for three consecutive years.
Beyond his playing achievements, Ray has contributed significantly in governance and officiating. He served five years as President of the Waikato Table Tennis Association, helping strengthen the region’s development and community programmes. He is also an internationally accredited official, becoming a National Umpire in 2021 and achieving International Umpire Accreditation in 2024.
Favourite table tennis achievement: For Ray, the greatest achievement in table tennis is the strong relationships and sense of belonging the sport has given him. The friendships built through table tennis have been a highlight of his journey, and giving back to the community remains a source of pride.
Board Ambition: "I’m committed to strong governance, good financial planning, and building partnerships that grow the sport. I’m especially passionate about youth pathways, Women in Sport, and Para Table Tennis, and supporting a positive, inclusive future for table tennis in New Zealand.”
Fun Fact: Ray has coached 98 National Cycling Champions, 2 Olympians and 2 World Champions.
Adrian Soh
Employment and Interests: Adrian has worked at netQ Limited since 2015. He started as Chief Technology Officer, where he guided the company's growth and technology plans. Today, he leads changes in the company through AI and automation, while also working closely with important clients. He helped the company earn important security certificates and leads the team that manages security risks.
Table Tennis Background: A former top-6 ranked player in New Zealand, Adrian represented the country for over a decade at junior and senior levels, including the World Teams and Oceania Championships. He was awarded a Prime Minister’s Scholarship for three consecutive years.
Favourite table tennis achievement: Representing New Zealand for over a decade, with five appearances at Junior level and six in the Men’s team, has been an incredible honour and highlight of my table tennis journey.
Board Ambition: Adrian is passionate about using his skills in technology and business to support TTNZ’s growth and future direction at the Board level.
Fun Fact: Adrian loves problem solving. Whether it’s a tricky tech challenge or a complex business need, he thrives on simplifying problems and finding smart, modern solutions that make a real difference.
