New boss struck by pride in rugby [Marlborough Express]

New Marlborough Rugby Sub-Union operations manager Gareth Waldron is settling into his new job this week and he has immediately been impressed by the province's passion for rugby.

Waldron, who began his job on Monday, replacing Aaron Senior who resigned to take up a career in the New Zealand Police, said, "There is huge pride in Marlborough rugby as I've noticed from the people I have met so far and through working with the staff."

Waldron has already met sub-union board members and board chairman Dave McCormick and will get around the other key stakeholders in Marlborough rugby as quickly as he can.

His new job includes overseeing the Marlborough operation which at present includes rugby development officers Gareth Archer, Mitchell Crosswell and Hayden Cripps.

Waldron said that while it is always a challenge coming into a new area and not knowing how things operate, it can be an advantage looking at things from a different perspective.

Waldron got out among the action at Lansdowne Park on Wednesday where the RDO staff and several helpers began a three-day school holiday rugby programme, which concludes today.

The programme, which involves about 90 children, includes teaching all the basic skills of rugby plus some team drills and a large dose of fun.