Posthumous rugby honour for decades of service
A posthumous award to one of Taranaki rugby’s tireless contributors is among three life memberships announced by the Taranaki Rugby Football Union.
Former TRFU secretary Sue Mitchell gave more than four decades of service to rugby in the province before her death in April this year.
She was often described as ‘‘the glue’’ that held everything together.
Mitchell was TRFU secretary through the 1980s and 1990s before the game turned professional.
Former Taranaki Rugby chairman Peter Crawford, who was part of a sub-committee which worked on the nominations, said Mitchell had worked for the betterment of Taranaki Rugby.
‘‘It is so, so sad for her that she never got to pin that life membership on her lapel and it’s really difficult to find the right words to truly sum up her contribution,’’ Crawford said.
Former TRFU staff member Ian Snook said Mitchell was the person all the clubs went to.
’’She knew everything that was happening and she treated everyone the same,’’ he said.
‘‘Sue did everything from looking after the clubs, ticketing, secretary for the development officer, liaised with sponsors, kept all the records, and statistics, she just did it all.’’
Life memberships were also awarded to outgoing chairman Lindsay Thomson, and retired board member John Eagles at the union’s rescheduled annual meeting on Wednesday night.
Thomson, a former representative lock who played 104 games for Taranaki between 1983-1991 was first elected onto the TRFU board in 2008 after being Tukapa
Rugby and Sports Club chairman.
He was elected as TRFU chairman in 2011 after successfully leading Taranaki Rugby’s 125th Jubilee committee the previous year, a season which was highlighted by Taranaki’s win over Canterbury in its official Jubilee match at New Plymouth’s Yarrow Stadium.
He chaired Taranaki Rugby through arguably its most successful period which included an inaugural top flight domestic title in 2014 in front of a sold-out Yarrow Stadium while the Ranfurly Shield was also won twice through his tenure.
Thomson joins his father, WS ‘Kai’ Thomson, as the first father and son life members of the union.
John Eagles’ life membership follows a 16-year unbroken period as an independent board director after he was first elected in 2006.
New Plymouth Old Boys club chairman Roger Wells said Eagles had given outstanding service to the union, not only on the board but as a member of the Taranaki Community Rugby Trust from 2008 to 2020.
‘‘During these periods John has provided his legal expertise and time to both boards and was at the forefront of the Taranaki Community Rugby Trust in 2008.
Peter Crawford said Eagles had been ‘‘an unsung hero’’ for the union.
Andrew Thompson was elected as new TRFU board chairman at the meeting.