Union left in strong position

Andrew Maddock, the boss who oversaw Counties Manukau Rugby Union’s most successful era, has called it a day.

He arrived at rugby union headquarters in Pukekohe seven years ago with the union broke and it’s rugby team flirting with relegation to the second division and the Heartland Championship.

He leaves with finances healthy and successes that include winning the Ranfurly Shield and the women’s first provincial title, the Farah Palmer Cup.

Maddock says it was a great ride. ‘‘There are so many memories. The Ranfurly Shield win, the public celebrations and the great crowds supporting us during the various Shield challenges we faced following that were amazing.

‘‘I also enjoyed watching the players’ enjoyment following several of our national title wins and seeing them achieve higher honours and knowing that we were a big part of that.

‘‘Our player culture is unique and very special. It’s great having players being so proud to come from our Counties Manukau region.’’

Keeping the creditors at bay was the biggest challenge of Maddock’s new job.

‘‘We were insolvent when I started. I didn’t know how bad it was when I took the job. It took a long time to dig our way out of that,’’ he says.

‘‘We didn’t resize or restructure at all during that period which enabled us to retain all our capability and services, which has subsequently paid off with great results across all of our activities.’’

He dropped a lot of balls along the way but says he is a better chief executive for it. ‘‘I learned quite a bit from making plenty of mistakes.’’

Maddock credits the union’s success on its staff and the hundreds of capable and dedicated people associated with rugby clubs, schools and rep teams.

‘‘The breadth of stakeholders and their expectations are significant. We’re ‘just rugby’, but we’re important to lots of people and lots of people are involved and care deeply. Many have strong opinions.’’

Maddock was a senior adviser at the Manukau City Council before joining the Steelers. He, wife Stephanie and their three children live in Waiuku.

His next move is firmed. still uncon-