College League – Year 9 and 10 Challenge Cup – 9-A-Side Tournament

With all curtain raisers being cancelled at Toll Stadium, Rugby League Northland have decided to move the final Northern Swords home game v Akarana and the Frings Trade of Origin, from Toll Stadium, to Hikurangi Rugby Ground.

“For RLN it’s about trying to create a community event and generate an atmosphere. The curtain raisers are an integral part of this.  In the weekend just gone, we tried to event manage an event split between Old Boys and Toll Stadium and this simply didn’t work, adding to the fact that Old Boys Rugby Ground has also been closed for play, we had no alternative but to move all three games.

We looked at all options –including postponing the Trade of Origin, but given that it is the last home game for the Swords we want to give the boys an atmosphere to play in front of, we need the community support as the Swords have not had a good season,” Alex Smits, RLN General Manager said.

FRINGS Trade of Origin

In a first for Rugby League, RLN is launching the Trade of Origin concept.  The concept will see different trades challenging for the right to call themselves, “ Trade of Origin Champions”.  Tradies love League, but due to the 6 day working week, of many Tradesmen, some of them can’t commit to playing weekend sport.  Competition among Tradies is always rife on building sites, with trades always trying to one-up other trades.  So the Trade of Origin concept will give them an opportunity of gaining real bragging rights, as well as being Mate against Mate, Trade v Trade!

For Rugby League Northland, the game will provide not only an avenue to get more Tradies playing, but it will also potentially provide introductions to new commercial partnerships.

One Trade of Origin game has already been played earlier in the year, with the Builders comfortable winners over the Sparkies.  The concept was the brain child of Andy Liddall, from Attina Electrical.  Andy is currently working with RLN to see how the concept can become an annual event.  “This year is about getting the concept off the ground and seeing what the opportunities come of it.”  Alex Smits, RLN GM said.

Rugby league is a sport for all New Zealanders, played from the grassroots level to the international stage. The sport is ‘more than just a game’; it is part of the social fabric of our country and has a critical role in developing young men and women in some of our most at risk communities.

The NZRL Board is responsible for ensuring sound governance practices and processes, setting clear goals and measurable targets within the sport of rugby league in New Zealand. The NZRL Board comprises seven directors, with four independent ‘Appointed Director’ positions and three rugby league knowledgeable ‘Elected Director’ positions. An independent Appointments Panel manages the director recruitment process for ‘Appointed’ and ‘Elected’ directors.

The NZRL Appointments Panel is charged with ensuring the NZRL Board has collective skills and experience in commerce, finance, marketing and knowledge of and experience in the sport of rugby league. Board members also need effective decision-making skills, well developed relationship-management skills and sound judgment.

The Appointments Panel is seeking applications for two Appointed Directors and one Elected Director. All Board positions are for a term of three years.

All applications will be treated in strict confidence and must include a CV, covering letter and a completed and signed application form.

Applications close on Monday May 12, 2014 at 5 pm and can be either mailed to the NZRL CEO, PO Box 12 712, Penrose, Auckland 1642 or emailed to admin@nzrl.co.nz.

See the attached pdf application form  – NZRL Director Application Form

Important information 

• Applications will be received in confidence but all referees must be able to be contacted without further notice.
• Shortlisting will be based on the information received on this application form. CVs will reaffirm information but will not replace this form.
• All shortlisted applicants must be available for interviewing on either Monday, May 19 or Thursday, May 22 2014.  These are the only dates that interviews will take place.