Beams bows out as TRU head
Providing New Zealand’s youngest rugby union with some youthful leadership is behind the resignation of outgoing Tasman Rugby Union chairman Ken Beams.
Blenheim businessman Wayne Young was elected the new chairman of the Tasman Rugby Union at a director’s meeting held in Blenheim last week after Beams indicated his wish to stand down from the role with immediate effect.
After six years of involvement with the TRU board and four years as chairman, Beams said a need to ensure ‘‘succession planning’’ prompted his decision to step aside.
‘‘It’s about looking to the future and at my age bracket, we need to bring some younger people in from the other end. Those people may want to go further than the TRU into NZ rugby stuff, and they should be given that opportunity.’’
Beyond the results on the field, Beams said the highlights of his tenure included the appointment of Tony Lewis as CEO as well as developing a strong relationship between the Marlborough and Nelson Bays sub-unions.
‘‘That’s taken some work, I can tell you . . . for a union of our size, we’ve done pretty well and it is about the whole team, not just one person.’’
‘‘The other thing we’ve got within the union is we understand the difference between governance and management – you don’t really want board members messing in management and I think we got that right.’’
It was Beams himself who moved for Young’s appointment, which was carried unanimously by board members.
Beams will stay on as deputy chairman to ensure smooth transition. His present term with the TRU finishes in 2020.
Young, a former Red Devils halfback and dealer principal of Wadsco motoring group, has served as a Marlborough representative on the Tasman board since 2011.
The 48-year-old had also been the chairman of the union’s professional rugby committee for the last three years, which oversaw the contracting of players and employment of coaches.
While he anticipated an increased work load, Young said he was looking forward to developing the positive working environment in which the board currently operated.
‘‘I believe the board work together outstandingly well. The relationship around the table is second to none. It is a credit to everyone on the board because geographically we are different.
‘‘The board offers many different skill sets, which is important . . . we are working really hard in the area of community rugby, plus we have a team of fantastic employees who do a great job on both sides of the hill.’’
He was also full of praise for his predecessor.
‘‘Ken is not a person who seeks the limelight, he just gets jobs done. He has done a great job and I have a great deal of respect for him.’’
TRU chief executive Lewis also praised Beams’ contribution to the union during a successful period on and off the paddock.
‘‘In Ken’s reign, he’s seen us promoted from the championship, make three grand finals, produce four All Blacks, go from a couple of Super [Rugby] players up to an average of 20, and a union that was struggling financially to one that’s financially secure.’’
‘‘Ken is one of the best chairmen I have come across. His ability to let the staff get on with managing the game and making sure that the board are over the governance of the game is second to none. ‘‘