LOS ANGELES, California, USA (Monday, April 30, 2018) - The World Surf League (WSL) today announced the appointment of Andrew Stark as its General Manager, WSL, for Australia & Oceania. Stark will lead the day to day operations of WSL in the Australia & Oceania Region with particular focus on Partnerships, Marketing and Public Relations, Event Operations as well as the development of the first WSL High Performance Training Center in the region, leveraging the Kelly Slater Technology. With Australia & Oceania being the home of four iconic Championship Tour (CT) locations (Snapper, Bells, Margaret River and Tahiti), the region's commercial development remains critical for the long-term prospects of WSL.
Based on the Gold Coast, Australia, Stark is an experienced, passionate surfer, and joins WSL after successfully serving as CEO for Surfing Australia for 9 ½ years, where he furthered his reputation as a world-class sports administrator, growing the business commercially and starting the now thriving Surfing Australia High Performance Centre (HPC) which is based at Casuarina Beach, Northern New South Wales.
"WSL is fortunate to attract another exceptionally well-respected leader in world sport, as we continue to build out our leadership team. We are very lucky to have so many loyal Australian fans, a territory where Andrew will be critical for us as we further develop the surf markets in this country and the fast-evolving Oceania territory," Sophie Goldschmidt, WSL CEO, said. "Andrew brings unrivaled surf experience and pedigree from this region and will accelerate the opportunities that exist, we can't wait to see the positive influence he has on the region and WSL."
Andrew Stark said, "I am genuinely excited by this opportunity to join the WSL leadership team and grow the sport globally to new heights over the coming years. The next few years ahead represent what I believe to be the most exciting growth opportunity and period for global professional surfing in the history of the sport. To be able to work with the WSL and Kelly Slater Wave Co team during this exciting period for the sport is something I am extremely motivated and passionate about.
"I leave Surfing Australia after 9 ½ years with absolute satisfaction and pride in the true legacy we have built as a team and I look forward to working with Surfing Australia in my new role at WSL to grow the region further."
Home of the world's best surfing, the WSL celebrates multiple disciplines of the sport - men's and women's shortboard, longboard and big wave - and has crowned the undisputed men's and women's champions since 1976.
Led by reigning two-time WSL Champions John John Florence (HAW) and Tyler Wright (AUS), a cross-section of the world's best surfers will next be seen at the Founders' Cup of Surfing presented by Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold, from May 5 - 6, 2018.