Erakovic in cup charge with vital tie looming
Marina Erakovic has been retained as New Zealand Billie Jean King Cup captain, despite being on the board of Tennis New Zealand.
Erakovic took charge of the NZ Billie Jean Cup (formerly known as the Fed Cup) team when they last played, in Wellington in 2020, where they won the Asia/Oceania Group II playoff, defeating the Philippines in the final.
Since then, the former world No 39 has been appointed onto the Tennis NZ board, replacing Will Ward.
Her position as
Billie Jean Cup captain for New Zealand was in question over potential conflicts of interest.
But Tennis NZ CEO Julie Paterson has confirmed Erakovic will lead the team for the Asia/Oceania
Group I tie in Turkey in April, with potential conflict of interests policies put in place.
‘‘We have been through a discussion with a legal firm before about another conflict of interest that sat on the board and the advice we got back was that within sport there are all sorts of conflicts of interest that arise,’’ Paterson said.
‘‘The most important thing is being transparent around how we manage those conflicts.’’
While no-one would doubt Erakovic’s ability to captain the New Zealand Team, if something would go disastrously wrong in Turkey, her position on the board could be seen as a factor in any potential review.
‘‘If we were to rule out every conflict, then we would miss out on the opportunities to have quality people in the places where we need them to be,’’ Paterson said.
‘‘Essentially, if there’s any conflict of interest, as long as it’s declared and that person excludes themselves from the discussion, then it’s manageable.
‘‘The most important thing is transparency and clarity around where the discussion starts and stops.
‘‘We had changed the process around the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup, to have two-year terms for the captains and then we would review and if decided, would go out and advertise. ‘‘Marina is coming into her second year and I’m really comfortable that the board and Marina will manage the conflict.’’
There was no Billie Jean Cup played last year, because of Covid19.
New Zealand will play China, India, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea in the event. The top two nations are promoted to the World Group playoffs, the bottom two are relegated to Asia/ Oceania Group II.
It is expected the New Zealand team will be Paige Hourigan, Valentina Ivanov, Erin Routliffe, plus a younger player, potentially Vivian Yang.
Meanwhile, Paterson said Erakovic’s role with the cup will be expanded.
‘‘The challenge we have is getting the person with the right experience and right background, who is essentially taking a parttime role, but can fit it around their other commitments.
‘‘We’re not always going to get it exactly how we want it, but the role of the Billie Jean King Cup captain has been extended.’’
‘‘The most important thing is transparency and clarity around where the discussion starts and stops.’’ Tennis NZ CEO Julie Paterson