28/06/2026
Softball New Zealand has appointed former Black Sox player and manager Casey Eden as its new Chief Executive. ๐ฅ Congrats Casey ๐ฅ
๐ฃFORMER BLACK SOX #204 CASEY EDEN APPOINTED AT CHIEF EXECUTIVE๐ฃ
Softball New Zealand has appointed former Black Sox player and manager Casey Eden as its new Chief Executive, bringing a leader steeped in the national game together with a proven record of building successful businesses.
Eden takes up the role on 20 July 2026, succeeding interim Chief Executive Rebecca Minkley, who has led the organisation since October 2025.
Eden played for the Black Sox in 2011-12 and managed the side from 2018 to 2022. Away from the diamond, he founded the community platform Neighbourly, which was acquired by Stuff, was a founding team member of GrabOne, and founded fintech company Orchestra, acquired by Sharesies. Most recently, as Chief Commercial Officer of First Table, he led the company's international growth, scaling annual revenue from $2 million to more than $15 million across New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. He is a current board member of Golf New Zealand and has worked with both Sport NZ and High-Performance Sport NZ.
Softball New Zealand Board Chair Hoani Lambert said the appointment marks an important moment for the sport.
โCasey is a rare appointment - someone who has lived the full softball pathway, from club player to Black Sox representative to managing the national team, and who has also founded, built and scaled successful businesses. Softball has bold ambitions for its profile, participation and performance, and Casey has the credibility in our community and the commercial capability to deliver them.โ
โI also want to acknowledge Rebecca Minkley, whose leadership over the interim period has given the organisation real stability and momentum. Casey inherits an organisation in far stronger shape because of her work.โ
Eden said the role was a chance to give back to the sport that shaped him.
โSoftball has given me some of the best experiences of my life, as a player, a manager and proud member of the softball whanau. This sport has world-class people and a proud legacy. My focus is on listening to our members first, and then working alongside the Board, staff, associations and partners to grow the game - more players, stronger competitions, and teams that keep making New Zealand proud on the world stage.โ
The appointment follows a comprehensive recruitment process that attracted a strong field of candidates from New Zealand and overseas.
Eden begins in the role on 20 July 2026. Rebecca Minkley will support the handover and conclude her term on 31 July 2026.
