Steve Mitchell Appointed as CEO of Tasman Rugby Union

Tasman Rugby Union is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Mitchell as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 10th June. Steve arrives with a decade of experience in provincial rugby and an intimate knowledge of the wider rugby scene, having served as CEO of Southland Rugby since April 2020.

The appointment marks a homecoming for Steve, as the former Nelson College student and life member of Rangers Rugby Club has played a pivotal role in Tasman Rugby Union’s short history, serving as Operations Manager from April 2014 to February 2020, before heading south.

Commenting on Steve's appointment, Baz Henare, Chairman of the Tasman Rugby Union board, said, "We are thrilled to welcome Steve back to Tasman Rugby Union as our new CEO. His passion for the game, combined with his proven leadership abilities, make him the perfect fit to lead our organization forward. We look forward to working closely with Steve to achieve our collective goals and continue to strengthen Tasman Rugby Union's position within the rugby community.

The Board would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to interim CEO Kahu Marfell, who has steadied the TRU ship through the transitional period. Kahu can now focus fully on his role as Community Rugby Manager, and we know Steve’s appointment will help us make strides in this priority space.

The Board were overwhelmed to have 24 quality applicants from across NZ, Australia and USA and would like to acknowledge members of the interview panel and the independent & thorough recruitment process run by local company Intepeople.”

Mitchell expressed his excitement about returning to Tasman Rugby Union and the opportunity to lead the organization into its next chapter, “It was always the intention to head back to Tasman when the time was right. My wife and I are extremely pleased for the opportunity to return to our family roots, and I am thrilled for the opportunity to lead Tasman Rugby into a new era with a renewed focus on Community Rugby. The time in Southland has been extremely beneficial for my personal development and I look forward to bringing those learnings to the new role in Tasman. Tasman is my home and I have always been a proud and loyal supporter of Tasman Rugby.”

Steve's extensive experience and proven track record make him the ideal candidate to lead Tasman Rugby Union into the future. The TRU looks forward to leveraging his leadership and strategic insights as they embark on this new journey together.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

Huw Beynon

Huw@tasmanrugby.co.nz

0211109705