Rugby: Two club life members elected to HBRFU board

The Overseers: Hawke's Bay union CEO Mike Bishop, president Paul Daniel, chairman Brendan Mahony, lawyer Matt Lawson and club development officer Gary Macdonald. Photo/Paul Taylor

A BLOKE who started playing rugby at the age of 36 and one of the code's "Mr Nice Guys" in Hawke's Bay.

Meet the two Marks, Hamilton and Sowman, Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union's new directors following last night's elections at a special general meeting of the union attended by 81 people at Napier's McLean Park.

Former Napier City councillor Hamilton started playing for the Napier Technical Old Boys Club's senior fours side as a 36-year-old.

However the club life member is better known for his work as one of the key architects in the rise of the phoenix which culminated in the Texans winning Hawke's Bay's most prestigious piece of club silverware, the Maddison Trophy, in 2013.

Hamilton has 23 years of management experience, the last 19 of those as managing director of Alexander Construction Limited.

"I've had plenty of experience in governance. I like to listen to both sides before making any suggestions," Hamilton told the meeting.

After being the third highest polling candidate in the first ballot for the first position with seven votes out of a possible 42, which Hastings Rugby and Sports life member Sowman won with 20 votes on the third ballot, the third highest on the second with seven and wthdrawing before the third ballot Hamilton won the second position, which will see him retire by rotation at the union's annual meeting in February, with 18 votes on the second ballot after he also led the count with 14 after the first ballot.

A self-employed insurance adviser, Sowman, was a key figure in the development of his club's Elwood Park facilities which are regarded as the best in the Bay.

He had a seven-year stint with the Hawke's Bay Community Law Centre and for five years was involved with charity gaming.

A former Hawke's Bay Magpies, B team and Sevens manager, Sowman, has coached at development and colts grade levels in recent seasons.

"I am well aware of the issues facing clubs, many of which are national issues. I seriously believe we have to look at the apathy within our clubs," Sowman said.

Sowman will retire by rotation at the 2020 annual meeting of the union.

He was the highest polling candidate in all three ballots for his position with 12, 13 and 20.

Last night's elections were held in the wake of last month's resignations of four directors, Kevin Atkinson, Dan Druzianic, Taine Randell and Simon Tremain.

While Dannevirke-based businesswoman Mavis Mullins missed out on becoming the union's first female director in its 113-year history it will be a surprise if she isn't one of the two appointed directors who will be announced next week.

She was the second highest candidate in the first ballot for the first position with eight, in the second ballot with 10 and in the third ballot with 13.

During the voting for the second position Mullins was second in both ballots with 13, one behind Hamilton, in the first and 16, two behind Hamilton, in the second.

For the appointed director's berth Mullins, who is a shearing industry legend, has been nominated by the Maraenui, Aotea, Hastings Rugby and Sports, Napier Technical, Havelock North and Taradale clubs.

"I was brought up during the heyday of Magpies rugby. We ate, drank and lived it. I miss that and I want to bring it back," Mullins said.