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August 3, 2014| 0 Comment| 9:38 pm

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RLN Welcomes New Chairperson and BoardRLN Welcomes New Chairperson and Board

Walter Wells

At the most recent RLN Board meeting Walter Wells was voted in as the New Chairperson. Walter will Chair the RLN Board: James Nair – Deputy Chair, Greg Steed, Brad Flower, Rangitane Marsden, Bob Willoughby and Juanita Hool.

I am most humbled to have the full support of the Board to lead Rugby League Northland (RLN). As an organisation we simply aspire to be credible and sustainable. To a great extent we have achieved part of that journey through the leadership of the previous Chair, Bruce Peden and inaugural Board member Tom Jackson. Both these gentlemen deserve acknowledgement for their tireless contribution, direction and leadership that has provided a solid foundation for the organisation to build on. My sincere gratitude and best wishes to the both of them. As we look to build on those foundations my priority for the Board is supporting club development. Club development permeates across the RLN strategic plan. Critical to the success of that will be the engagement and relationships the Board develops with Clubs in order that we grow a credible and sustainable game.

Board meetings are held on the third Monday of the Month, club representatives are welcome to address the board by prior arrangement. Please contact the RLN General Manager to arrange.

James Nair, Deputy Chairperson

James Nair

James brings financial accountability and governance skills to the Board. He is currently a self-employed Chartered Accountant. James has an interest in youth development and is currently a Trustee with the He Puna Marama Trust who are involved with the Maori Leadership academy that feeds into local Whangarei Secondary Schools. James previously worked in Rugby League as part of the management committee in the earlier Bartercard Cup days with Northland.

Rangitane Marsden

Rangitane Marsden is a club elected representative on the RLN Board. Rangitane was nominated by the Muriwhenua Falcons. Rangitane is the Chief Executive Officer of Te Runanga O NgaiTakoto in Kaitaia. He has over 17 years experience as negotiator in the Treaty Claims and was instrumental in the Iwi Deeds of Settlements Signing in 2012. Rangitane is responsible for the overall direction and progressing the NgaiTakoto Iwi 2013-16 Post Settlement Government entity. Rangitane is committed to developing partnerships with Te Hiku Social Accord, Iwi Leaders Forum. He was Co-Chair of the Iwi Council Better Local Government Working Group, as is presently involved in the Development of Economic Growth and Social Change for the Northland Region, alongside Central Government and local government. Rangitane has had previous involvement with Rugby League in South Auckland (Mangere East Hawks) as a junior coach, and his son’s continue to play club rugby, locally in Whangarei.

Robert (Bob) Willougby

Robert Willoughby

Robert has a proven operational background in FMCG, both nationally and internationally, across all business disciplines. As a senior executive for Coca-Cola, he held responsibility in trade marketing across all channels and was appointed to lead and build the business infrastructure for Coca-Cola in Belarus. Thereafter, appointed to lead the re-engineering of market access and service effectiveness for Coca-Cola in Czech Republic and the Eastern European emerging markets. A respected thinker who understands design and process to maximise the internal and external value chain when working with customers to ultimately secure market share. As an experienced coach and trainer who understands business fundamentals, Robert has worked sucessfully with people from different cultures and levels of society. As a customer service practitioner he has a wide range of skills in problem solving, service delivery and business interpretation allowing him to see opportunity and assess risk to get the best outcomes. Robert’s current public appointments include, Member of the Northland Conservation Board and the Tai Tokeraru Public Health Organisation, Trustee of the Ki A Ora Ngati Wai Health Trust and a Certified Practiioner as a Hearing Commissioner on the RMA Act.

Greg Steed

Kaitaia born Greg Steed is an experienced non-executive Director and Manager, with a strong background in strategy, finance and supply chain across a number of industry sectors. He is a director at Top Energy Ltd and Chairman of their Audit and Risk Committee. Previous roles include 10 years at the NZ Shippers Council serving as deputy chairman for 2 years and Chairman for 5 years, senior supply chain positions in Carter Holt Harvey Ltd and accounting roles in CHH and other organisations in N.Z and overseas. Greg is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from the University of Auckland. He enjoys golf, cycling, and tennis and an avid follower of rugby league and soccer including coaching.

Brad Flower

Brad is a Civil Engineer with 23 years experience and has lived in Northland almost all of his life, attending local schools in the Kamo area. He is currently employed by Downer NZ and has previously been the General Manager of a local Roadmarking company, having also spent 15 years with local company McBreen Jenkins Construction progressing from a surveyor to a Senior Project Manager. Brad is currently the Chairman of the Hurupaki Primary Board of Trustees, he has also been on the Board of the Kamo Soccer club for 27 years. Until recently Brad had also served 3 years as vice chairman and 3 years as chairman of NZ Contractors Federation – Northland Branch.

Brad was also a foundation Board member of North Force, he held a position on the Board for 8 years. North Force is Northlands only regional Football entity playing in the Northern Regional Football League. During his years working in Northland and with his community involvement he has developed relationships which include individuals within the Central Government, Northland Regional Council, Whangarei District Council, Kaipara District Council, Far North District Council, Local Media (both print and radio) and the wider Business Community. Brad has a proven track record of being able to work with diverse groups of people and blending them together to get desired outcomes.

Juanita Hool

Juanita has been involved in Rugby League administration in Northland for over 25 years with a variety of roles, including, Team Manager, Delegate, and Secretary and Chairperson at both Club and District Level. Northland born and bred she has an indepth knowledge of the environs of “grass roots” football for the area. A life member of the Takahiwai Warriors, Juanita has proven that she is in for the long haul and sees junior development, especially at Club level, as the cornerstone for the sustainable future of Rugby League – enabling Clubs to be the “best that they can be” and therein providing pathways for all to be participants in the Sport. Her philosophy is that there is absolutely a role for everyone in this game! In her professional career she is employed in the Public Service (within the Justice Sector) and has demonstrated a high level of commitment with the same organisation for almost 30 years. Juanita deals with a wide range of issues in her position and is well versed in mediation and dispute resolution. Her strengths are demonstrated in her strategic approach at both District and National level and in the practical skills required with dealing with the people of our community. She is a trustee of the Takahiwai Marae and has previously been a member of the Bream Bay College Board of Trustees. Juanita is the youngest of seven siblings and enjoys spending time with, and cooking for her whanau, overseas travel and relaxing at the beach. She attributes her interest in Rugby League began with her parents; who were both involved throughout their lifetimes in the Sport and has continued through her husband and sons who have each played at Club and Representative level.

Kamo High School withdraw from Secondary School NationalsKamo High School withdraw from Secondary School Nationals

Due to a long season of League and Union Kamo High School have to withdraw from the NZSSSC Rugby League Secondary School Nationals.

Kamo, who lost a thrilling Adam Blair final to Kaitaia in April this year, had been working toward to the NZSSSC tournament. They have suffered 5 season ending injuries, leaving them with a skeleton squad of 15 fit players. Coach Joe Henare was gutted about having to make the decision last minute, but said it was the correct decision. “Of the 15 fit players, four have not played league before. We are in a pool with the likes of St Pauls – it would be like taking lambs to the slaughter.”

Northland will still have two teams competing with Kaitaia College and Whangarei Boys High School.

More information on the Secondary School Nationals.

Northern Swords Move Selection BoundaryNorthern Swords Move Selection Boundary

Corey Harawira

Ashley Naera

The Northern Swords Premiers, have named their 17 man squad to play against the Waicoa Bays Stallions on Sunday 15^th September in Huntly.

Included in this squad are brothers Ash Harawira and Corey Naera, who both starred for the Championship winning Pt Chevalier in the prestigious Auckland Fox Memorial. Older brother Ash, who plays at Centre, starred for the Premier winning Pt Chevalier team, while 18 year old Corey, who plays at Full Back, Centre or backrow was a part of the Fox Reserve Grade winning team.

Both are proud Northlanders from Waimamaku. Corey has moved to Auckland to take part in the NZ Warriors Rugby League Academy this year. Corey was outstanding for the Swords 17s in the 2012 National Provincial Championship and was named in the NZRL 17s Merit Squad. Ash spent his College days playing for the prestigious Kelston Boys High School 1^st XV.

Ash and Corey both starred in the recent Swords training match against the Carter Holt Harvey Raiders and bought a lot of stability to the Swords backline that struggled against the Canterbury Bulls.

It is the first time that the Swords have selected players who are based from outside Northland.

“Although we are growing the player base in Northland,we need to build the skill base around the Swords. We have yet to win in the National Competition with the Swords (2013 is the fourth season). Early in August we named a squad of 45 players, but unfortunately for one reason or another, players have not been available,meaning that we have real shortage in our backline. By bringing Corey and Ash into the squad, it will help balance our team. We have not taken this decision lightly and Northland players remain our priority. But when you look at, in particular with Corey, we have helped develop his career and by bringing him into the Swords Premiers, this will further enhance his pathway.” Alex Smits GM for RLN said.

In May this year a Memo was sent out to all League clubs asking their opinion about bringing in outside players with little negative response. The RLN Board decided at the time to further investigate this as an option. Rugby League Northland is the only Zone in the NZRL National Competition that has the ability to draft non-zone players into the squad.

Tiano Arona

Ngaro Baker

In total, there will be four debutants in the squad. Ngaro Baker from Portland has forced his way into the squad – an exciting prospect at 18 years old, he is a big man with a big motor and will play a role at Prop rotation. Tiano Arona, from Muriwhenua, also only 18, will occupy a place on the bench as a half/hooker replacement. The brothers, Ash and Corey, make up the two other debutants. In total 5 players in the squad are 18 or 19, with four other 23 or younger bringing a good mix of youth and experience to the squad.