News

Northland boss resigns

October 01 2008

Less than a week after helping ensure Northland's survival as a top-flight rugby province, the union's chairman Wayne Peters has resigned.

The union's board has also voluntarily stepped down, though is seeking re-election while Northland coach Mark Anscombe is also reportedly reassessing his future while the players are all off contract when the season ends.

The Northern Advocate newspaper said the union's successful plea to the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) to remain in the Air New Zealand Cup competition in 2009 included a proviso that some board members step down.

"The submission contained a number of representations, one of which was that the board, other than those appointed in 2007, would resign," Peters told the newspaper.

"It seemed appropriate, as a matter of timing, that I not put myself forward for re-selection.

"This is not something that the NZRU has forced upon us, it is something we as the Northland Rugby Union (NRU) offered as part of our submission."

Peters officially stood down on Monday night in an in-house e-mail circulated to the NRU board ending his three-year term as chairman.

After guiding the union through an appeal to the NZRU to save its first division status, he has left as pressure grows for the NRU to present a clean face for the future.

Deputy chairman Andrew Golightly, who has stepped in as acting chairman in the interim, thanked Peters for his "massive contribution".

"His leadership, particularly in the battle to save the union from being axed, won't be forgotten. There is little doubt that his passion and knowledge of the game and ability to attract sponsorship is unsurpassed," he said.

The current board will continue until early November when a new chairman and members will be elected.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Tasman Rugby Union has also resigned as the alliance between Nelson Bays and Marlborough continues to disintegrate.

Max Spence told members of the Marlborough faction he would quit on Tuesday.

Tasman were earmarked for the axe from the national provincial championship but also benefitted when the NZRU backtracked last week.

However, Marlborough are desperate to cut ties with the cash-strapped organisation and would rather go it alone in the second-tier Heartland Championship.

Marlborough chairman Peter Heagney said Spence's resignation would not alter their thinking.

"I don't think it will make any difference (to the situation) at all," Spence told NZPA.

"My personal opinion is the organisation is crumbling a wee bit."