Tennis Integrity Unit: Jeff Rees Retires

Written by: Staff on 10th December 2012

Tennis Integrity Unit: Jeff Rees Retires |

Jeff Rees, Director of Tennis Integrity Unit since its’ inception in September 2008, has retired and will be succeeded by Nigel Willerton, a former senior officer with the Metropolitan Police’s crack Flying Squad who spent 30 years with the British force investigating major crimes and complex criminal cases.

The Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) was formed when the game’s governing bodies, the International Tennis Federation, the Grand Slam committee, the ATP World Tour and the WTA, decided a hard line had to be taken against the potential of corruption in the sport, particularly with a zero-tolerance policy towards gambling-related issues.

Welshman Rees, a former Detective Chief Superintendent with the Metropolitan Police who was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in 2000, had already earned a fine reputation in the field with eight years as the Chief Investigator of the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit.

Rees formulated the Uniform Tennis Anti-Corruption Program to maintain the integrity of tennis, protect against any efforts to impact improperly the results of any match and establish a uniform rule and consistent scheme of enforcement and sanctions applicable to all professional elements of the sport.

Following investigations headed by Rees, two players (Austrian Daniel Koellerer and Serbia’s David Savic ) have been banned for life and several other players plus one agent have been found guilty of corruption.

“Jeff Rees has provided tennis with exceptional leadership and guidance over the past four years and we pay tribute to the outstanding contribution he has made in protecting the sport from those who would seek to corrupt it,” said Philip Brook, 2012 Chairman of the Tennis Integrity Board.*

Phillip Brook, chairman of the All England Club, who represents the Grand Slam Committee on the TIU Board of Directors, said: “In saying farewell to Jeff we welcome Nigel Willerton as Director of Integrity, confident that he will provide the continuity of operation so important to the sport.

“Nigel is already well-known and respected by players and officials throughout tennis and will ensure a seamless transition of leadership takes place in this crucial role.”
©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: British tennis news, Jeff Rees, Nigel Willerton, Sports, Tennis, Tennis Integrity Unit, Tennis News