Phillips takes Wanganui Union helm

FRESH LEGS: The Wanganui Rugby Union is poised to move into a new era with Jeff Phillips at the helm. PHOTO/LEWIS GARDNER 101214WCLGRUGBY1

A NEW chapter in Wanganui Rugby Union history is about to be written with the arrival of new chairman Jeff Phillips.

Phillips was voted in at Tuesday's night's WRU annual meeting edging out the only other candidate, Jeff Slight. The annual meeting followed immediately after the Council of Clubs meeting at the Grand Hotel.

Phillips has been an independent WRU member for the past five years and he takes over from Dave Hoskin who had chaired the union for the past 14 years.

Phillips has had strong ties to the game most of his life playing for Kaierau and Wanganui representative sides.

He is the first chairman with Kaierau connections since the late Ernie Bevege's reign between 1955 to 1962. Bevege was also Wanganui's last national union president in 1961. The stand at Spriggens Park bears his name.

While his winner margin over Pirates club rival Slight was not revealed, Phillips believes he has the mandate for a fresh new style.

"It was time for a change and while I don't know how much I won by, I did canvas clubs, including those in the Northern region, to see if they were happy for me to stand. I also talked to Dave (Hoskin) and he was happy not to stand for re-election and allow me a chance. I also discussed it with my wife Taryn and the kids and thankfully I have their support," Phillips said.

"The WRU is about governance and business where the Council of Clubs is more about the rugby itself. While I have an obvious connection with Kaierau I have been an independent on the board for five years."

Phillips also has a strong background in governance and business. He owns and operates his own companies, Phillips Electrical and Richdale Fire and Security, employing more than 30 staff across the two businesses.

He has ideas on how the WRU should move into the future, although he was keen to settle into the new position before stamping his own brand of leadership in the history books.

Independent members elected to the board on Tuesday include incumbents Blair Ross, Chris Back and Glenn Wadsworth, while former WRU chief executive Haig Elgar is a newcomer.

Meanwhile, Slight retained his spot as Council of Clubs delegate on the WRU board along with fellow incumbent Marty McGrath (Ruapehu). Brian "Porky" Green (Hunterville) replaces Tom Kilgarriff (Hunterville) who retired from the position. One more vacancy is yet to be filled. Kyall Green made himself unavailable.

Acting WRU chief executive John Phillips, father of the new president, said 36 attended the annual meeting on Tuesday.

"The financial statement will be discussed at a special meeting on February 10 in keeping with a new NZR fiscal system," Phillips snr said. "At that meeting the WRU will also look at changing its fiscal year to run from October 31 to December 31 in line with the national union, although a constitutional change will be required. The February special gathering will coincide with the first Council of Clubs meeting for the year."

On Tuesday concerns were raised about the participation of Wanganui secondary school teams playing in Central Region competition. The concerns were raised by Wanganui life member Brian Vaughan.

"The concerns are around our young players being lured to play for Manawatu teams."

New chairman Phillips said he would try and arrange for Manawatu union chief executive John Knowles to come and speak to the Wanganui board and life members about the issue.

Tuesday's meeting also gave permission for Ngamatapouri to once again field a senior team in next season's Wanganui competition subject to the old club meeting all the required regulations, including up-to-scratch facilities and a satisfactory constitution.