New staff put emphasis on commerce
RUGBY
Nathan Burdon Rugby Southland is looking to boost its commercial muscle in 2012.
The union has employed Mark Wilson to replace the now Christchurch-based Caroline Wethey-te Whetu. It has also brought in Stags midfielder Matt Saunders in a part-time role and promoted staff member Jodie Chilton into a commercial and marketing team.
Rugby Park will host the Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the Highlanders-rebels Super rugby game and at least five Stags home games this year.
Wilson, who describes himself as a passionate Stags fan, has been working in the commercial sector since 2004, including the past four years a self-employed consultant based in Queenstown.
He has worked mainly in the construction and hospitality sectors, as well as doing some consultancy work for Rugby Southland based around developing the ideas put forward by a change manager in the wake of the union’s 2010 financial meltdown.
‘‘We’ve built ourselves a little bit of a commercial model that we are going to try to follow through until 2015, and we are following that up with strategic planning,’’ he said.
‘‘Now it’s about implementing those plans and keeping the boat floating and possibly picking up some momentum.’’
Wilson said that more emphasis would be placed on exploring com-
‘‘We’ve got a big focus over the next three years to make sure we deliver on the club scene and also with the sevens and women’s rugby.’’ Mark Wilson
mercial opportunities to support the grassroots of the game.
‘‘We’ve got a big focus over the next three years to make sure we deliver on the club scene and also with the sevens and women’s rugby.
‘‘I think finding money in those areas and using it in those areas is one of our big goals.’’
The end of last year saw agreements with several big sponsors end, including the Southern Institute of Technology, Lion Nathan and Canterbury Clothing.
While the SIT had renewed its partnership, announcements regarding other sponsorships would be confirmed in the next couple of weeks.
In other staffing changes, Simon Culhane’s role as assistant coach of the Highlanders will keep him away from Rugby Park this season.
After co-coaching with David Henderson, Culhane stepped back last year to take on an analyst role.
Likewise, Leicester Rutledge’s role as Highlanders manager will see him step back from the same job with the Stags.
Assistant manager Glenn Morrison has been promoted to the parttime role, although Rutledge will provide backup during the national provincial championships.
Having initially been appointed in a new position as director of rugby for Rugby Southland, Henderson’s business commitments have seen him step aside to focus on coaching the Stags with Craig Morton taking over the director of rugby job, which includes both the professional and amateur sides of the union.
Meanwhile, Rugby Southland had seen a draft draw for the 2012 NPC and had not objected to any of the fixtures.
A final draw for the season could released next week.