Rugby: Two more HBRFU directors could resign

Uncertain: Kevin Atkinson will decide next week whether he will continue as a Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union director. Photo/File

Could the departure of Simon Tremain and Taine Randell from the Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union board of directors turn out to be a curtainraiser to more major fallout?

This question was being asked last night when the two key financial directors Kevin Atkinson and Dan Druzianic confirmed they were still considering their positions on the board and would announce their decisions next week. Atkinson has been on the board for 19 years and delivered 17 consecutive surpluses before handing the main financial role to Druzianic who had delivered two.

Former All Black captain Randell and former Magpie and prominent Hawke's Bay businessman Tremain resigned on Tuesday citing a difference in the future direction of the organisation to the current leadership. Ironically one of Tremain's biggest concerns was the lack of succession planning at the union and should Druzianic and Atkinson step down it could be interpreted as more catastrophic than the previous two.

"I was planning to step down in February and was expecting Dan to do another five years at least after that," Atkinson said.

"I'm still reflecting on the issues which led to Simon and Taine going. Do I want to be in the same situation,?" he asked.

He urged clubs to work hard to come up with some quality replacements for Randell and Tremain.

"There has never been an opportunity like this in recent years for delegates to force change."

Atkinson or "uncle Kevin" as he is known because of his generosity to numerous sporting codes will retire as chairman of Unison Networks in July. The bloke who received a multi-million-dollar payout when selling IMS Payroll in 2015 is still the Hawke's Bay District Health Board chairman.

Druzianic is a director of Moore Stephens Markhams Hawke's Bay Ltd. He is also on the HBDHB and last year was elected as a fellow of the Australasian Accountants professional body.

"It's disappointing how we have got to where we are at. I don't want to damage the union in any way because we have helped put the books in a good place but at the same time we have to support Taine and Simon's quest for change," Druzianic said.

"Losing Taine and Simon off the board is disappointing in terms of succession going forward," he added.

Several potential board members have been quizzed about their availability and said while they were keen to be nominated in the past they were reluctant to be involved during such turbulent times.

"If blokes of the calibre of Taine, Simon, Kevin and Dan can't force change who can," asked one who didn't want to be named.

Atkinson suggested it may be time for a female lawyer to get involved with the board.

"Females are starting to get involved with sports boards throughout the country and let's face it ... our female sevens team is doing better than the men at the moment."

Although there haven't been as many texts to the Hawke's Bay Today editor as expected on the departure of Tremain and Randell former Tamatea club delegate Dennis Rosser who can never be accused of being shy at union meetings asked in his if it was time for the chairman, Brendan Mahony and CEO Mike Bishop to go.

It is understood Tremain stood against Mahony for the chairman's role at last month's board meeting and when the vote ended in a four-all draw Tremain withdrew his nomination.

The Magpies Fan Council meets in Napier on Monday. It will be interesting if the matter of nominations for board members is a topic for discussion on the agenda.

While uncertainty hovers over Atkinson and Druzianic's future on the board something whch is certain is the fact round seven in Hawke's Bay's Tui Nash Cup premier club competition will be played today with a top of the table clash between defending champions Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist and second placed Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports at Park Island the feature game.

The visitors will do well to get within 15 points. Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical are capable of a 20 point win against MAC at Flaxmere Park, Carters Frame and Truss Taradale should beat Northfuels Central by 13 in Waipukurau, K9 Petfoods Clive should pip Progressive Meats Havelock North by six at Farndon Park and Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports and Tamatea could produce the first draw of the round at Tamatea Park.