Rugby Southland 'State of the Union' from Chairman Murray Brown 

CEO Appointment

The Rugby Southland Board and Management team are pleased to announce the appointment of Hua Tamariki as CEO, effective from July 8th. Hua has a strong and storied association with Rugby Southland, having played 37 games for the Stags and served as the Community Manager in 2022. His experience both on and off the field will be invaluable as he steps into this leadership role. Notably, our current staff collectively hold over 500 caps for the Stags, demonstrating our continued commitment to attracting and employing individuals with extensive rugby experience and knowledge. This wealth of experience within our organization is a source of immense pride and positions us well for future success.

Staff Recognition

We would like to highlight and celebrate Jodie Chilton's remarkable 20 years of service with Rugby Southland. Jodie joined our team in 2005, coinciding with the memorable Lions Tour that came to town. Since then, she has been a pivotal figure within our organization, contributing extensively to our management team. Her expertise extends to the effective execution of full events programs on game days, ensuring seamless operations during Stags games. Jodie's passion and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the Stags brand into what it is today. Having been with the union for over 200 games, her tireless work ethic and commitment to our community are truly commendable. We are deeply grateful for her continued contributions and unwavering dedication.

NZ Governance Review

At a recent Special General Meeting (SGM), it was decided that the new NZ Rugby Board will be composed of six independent members and three members with Provincial Union rugby experience or association. This change aims to bring a balanced perspective and diverse expertise to our governance structure. The current Board members are expected to stand down after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on July 11th, with some likely to seek re-election. This governance review is a significant step towards ensuring that the NZR organization remains robust, transparent, and well-equipped to tackle future challenges.

Men’s Pathway and Competitions (MPAC)

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has initiated a review focusing on the Men's Pathway and Competitions, particularly the Super Rugby and NPC competitions. This review, known as the Men’s Pathway and Competitions (MPAC), aims to ensure these competitions are fit for purpose and provide the right platform to support our high-performance pathways. By critically evaluating the current structures, NZR aims to optimize the development of our players and ensure they are well-prepared for the demands of professional rugby. This initiative underscores the importance of having robust and effective pathways for player development and progression.

Highlanders Relationship

Rugby Southland has been invited to participate in discussions with the Highlanders Coaching group to share thoughts and strategies for the 2025 season and beyond. It is critical that all three Unions in our region collaborate effectively to ensure that players with the potential to reach Super Rugby level are consistently performing at the NPC level. This collaborative approach aims to strengthen our regional rugby ecosystem and provide clear pathways for our talented players to reach the highest levels of the game. Building strong relationships with the Highlanders is essential for the development and success of our players.

Rugby Park Evaluation

In partnership with the Invercargill City Council, Rugby Southland is about to establish a working group to evaluate the current and future status of Rugby Park and Oreti Park.  This group will assess whether Rugby Park continues to meet the needs of rugby and the community as a hub. The evaluation will consider various aspects, including the facilities, infrastructure, and overall suitability of Rugby Park as a venue for both local and regional rugby events. This initiative reflects our commitment to providing a top-notch environment for players, fans, and the broader community. Ensuring that Rugby Park remains a vibrant and functional hub is a key priority for us.

Women’s and Girls’ Rugby

We have invested significant resources and support to nurture the growth and participation in women’s rugby. Recognizing the ongoing challenges in this space, we are developing strategic plans for the next 1-3 years to ensure sustained success. Our focus is on creating a supportive environment that encourages more women and girls to take up the sport and providing them with the necessary resources and opportunities to excel. This includes enhancing coaching, facilities, and competition structures to support the development of female players. We are committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive rugby community that values and promotes women's participation at all levels.

Future of Clubs

Rugby Southland staff have participated in recent New Zealand Rugby (NZR) forums focused on supporting clubs across several key areas, including strategic planning, environmental sustainability, financial stability, enhancing member experiences, building capability and capacity, and improving facilities. These forums aim to provide clubs with the tools and insights needed to navigate various challenges and thrive in the current rugby landscape. Post the 2024 club season, we will concentrate on these areas and encourage all clubs to engage with the initiatives and support on offer. Our goal is to strengthen the club network and ensure they remain a vital part of the rugby community.

ILT Centrepoint Oreti Park

Rugby Southland continues to invest in the community facility at ILT Centrepoint Oreti Park. As part of a significant water system upgrade, we have been fortunate to have Rhys and the team at Harvey Tanks supply a new water tank to improve our water system and quality. George Wishart and Marshall Industries have generously donated spouting and time to reroute the water to the tank, while Jason Rutledge and Laser Plumbing are helping link it all up. This upgrade follows continuous issues with sand blocking our gas califonts, as well as the theft of gas bottles and, more recently, a gas califont. Our Rugby Southland groundsman, Pete Domigan, has put in hundreds of hours to get the facility and fields ready for another winter. With over 25 games scheduled at Oreti Park this weekend and a recent Boys High 1st XV game, the importance of this venue to our community is evident. We are committed to maintaining and enhancing this vital facility for the benefit of all who use it.

SBS Bank Southland Stags

As we count down to the assembly of the SBS Bank Southland Stags team on July 15th, we are excited to announce that over 25 players from last season will be returning. This is a team that we know Southland will be proud of and support wholeheartedly. The players' names will be announced in the lead-up to the assembly, building anticipation and excitement for the upcoming season. The coaching lineup for the Stags includes Matt Saunders, James Wilson, Daryl Thompson, and Kane Thompson, all of whom bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team. We are confident that their leadership will drive our players to new heights this season.

Life Members Day

This year's Life Members Day will be held on August 3rd at Edendale. This annual event is a cherished tradition and an opportunity for us to honor and celebrate the contributions of our life members across all clubs. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our current Rugby Southland life members: Donald Hay, Leicester Rutledge, Peter Tetai, and Kevin Laidlaw. Their unwavering dedication and support have been instrumental to Rugby Southland's success. We look forward to a strong turnout, as it is always a day that many members eagerly anticipate. The event provides a platform for camaraderie, reflection, and recognition of the enduring commitment of our life members to Rugby Southland and their respective clubs. We hope to see many of you there to join in the celebrations and to pay tribute to those who have given so much to our organization.

We appreciate the ongoing support and dedication of our rugby community and are excited about the future of Rugby Southland. Your involvement and enthusiasm are crucial to our success, and we look forward to continuing to work together to achieve our goals.

Article added: Friday 14 June 2024