Aiming for better club input

George Brown

THE restructured Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union is achieving its aim of better club involvement and input, says chairman George Brown.

The new board structure, established following annual general meeting procedures allowing constitutional changes, has resulted in a board that “probably works better together than in the past’’, Brown says.

The board now comprises independent members Sue Baker, Hayden Swann, Darryl Hudson and Brown, Council of Clubs chairman Jamie Hutana and vice-chairman Willis Tamatea, and Junior Advisory Board chairwoman Cara Haines.

Brown said the make-up of the new board showed the benefit of canvassing the community, advertising for applicants and following the example of other Heartland unions.

The new board presented a wide range of expertise in members committed to Poverty Bay rugby.

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The inclusion of two women gave the union good gender representation.

The structure allowed clubs to take responsibilty for club competitions, rules and regulations, and monitoring of grounds on match days.

“Clubs have bought into it,’’ Brown said.

It was a young board, he said.

Some were rugby people who had finished playing but had stepped up to administration and governance.

“They are bringing fresh ideas and still have close contact with the players.”

There was probably now more significant club consultation and input than before.

Brown said he was asked to stand for the chairman’s job by Phil Wauchop, who had decided to step down from the role, and Wauchop’s predecessor Malcolm MacLean.

Last year, the union made a small profit, which went into its reserves.

Funding from New Zealand Rugby (NZR) was an important part of this result, and that funding was based on participation numbers.

Brown said the big issue in rugby was player numbers from the age of 12.

“There is a huge gap from teenage rugby to premier club rugby.

“Unfortunately, people think everything focuses on the Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 and forget about all the other schools.

‘‘That’s an area we have to commit ourselves to and aim to rebuild teenage rugby.”

Clubs needed to commit to school rugby as the number of teachers available to coach was lower than in the past.

“We want to support clubs in engaging with the schools.’’

Brown said the union wanted to provide ‘‘aspirational pathways’’ for local players.

Unions like Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay were interested only in first 15 players.

“Those other players are missing out.”

Teenage rugby was ‘‘a talking point’’ for New Zealand Rugby.

“Teenage rugby and women’s rugby are high on their strategic priorities.’’

Brown is a stalwart of the YMP club, as are his sisters Moera and Ingrid, who are high-profile netball members.

‘‘It’s a whanau-orientated club; it’s about putting young people in a better place.’’

Brown also played for Hamilton City, now a second division Waikato club, who in the mid-1960s fielded All Black winger Bill Birtwistle.