Directors Named For NZRL Board

Directors Named For NZRL Board


Auckland, New Zealand, February 25, 2011 – New Zealand Rugby League board chairman Scott Carter today named Gisborne mayor Meng Foon and former Saatchi and Saatchi New Zealand general manager Jennifer Rolfe as NZRL directors for the next three years.

Under the NZRL’s constitution adopted in 2009 the board comprises four appointed directors and three elected directors. With the inaugural board established in June 2009, incumbents Meng Foon and Michelle Teague were the first two directors due for rotation.

An appointments panel directly appoints one director and nominates another for election by the seven zone delegates at the annual general meeting in March.

The members of the appointment panel were Sir John Wells (panel chairman), NZRL board chairman Scott Carter, chairman of Counties-Manukau Rugby League Ken Lotu-I’iga (zone representative), and SPARC board member Don Mackinnon.

The appointments panel has nominated Meng Foon for re-election, and selected highly regarded marketing consultant Jennifer Rolfe as the new independent director.

Wells said there was considerable interest in the directors’ positions with a total of 15 applications received.

“After a thorough interview process we chose two individuals whom we believe will complement the skills of the current board and provide the right mix of rugby league knowledge and commercial expertise to meet the challenges anticipated ahead for New Zealand Rugby League,” he said.

Carter paid tribute to outgoing board member Michelle Teague, who recently relocated to Sydney to head Australian advertising agency The Campaign Palace, noting she had “contributed significantly to the progress of New Zealand Rugby League over the past two years”.

Appointed Director

JENNIFER ROLFE

Jennifer Rolfe is an experienced senior executive having worked with many of New Zealand’s top companies and brands. She is currently consulting to major corporates and is a director of Dunedin Venues Management Limited which runs Dunedin Stadium. She is a former general manager of Saatchi and Saatchi and highly experienced in brand leadership both locally and internationally. She has commercial and strategic skills with particular expertise in digital and direct services.

• March 2010 to current: Director of Rolfe Limited.
• July 2006 to March 2010: General Manager at Saatchi and Saatchi New Zealand.
• August 2006 to current: Board member of Dunedin Venues Management Limited which runs Dunedin Stadium.
• 2008 to 2010: Board member of New Zealand Marketing Association.
• 2008 to 2009: Committee member of Direct Marketing Industry Committee.
• October 2005 to July 2006: Executive Director at Ogilvy Advertising.

Proposed director put forward for election

MENG FOON

Meng Foon is the Mayor of Gisborne District Council and a current director of New Zealand Rugby League. He has been involved in rugby league for 22 years as an administrator, sponsor, supporter and facilitator. Mayor for 10 years, Meng Foon has experience in finance, planning, governance and working with community organisations. He has an extensive business background and a long record of involvement with community based programmes. He has been a chair of Gisborne/Tarawhiti Rugby League and has played a major role in implementing a strategic plan in the region to grow the sport.

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