Three NZRL life members added

Monday, June 29, 2015

Three NZRL life members added

Former New Zealand Rugby League chairman Sel Pearson, and ex Kiwis Jack Fagan and Brian Reidy have been named NZRL life members for their decades of service to the game.

Meanwhile, Gordon Gibbons (Akarana), Pat Carthy (Akarana), Graham Pitts (Northland RL) and Carey Clements (Southern Zone) have been selected for Distinguished Service Awards at the NZRL annual meeting in Auckland.

The additions of Pearson, Fagan and Reidy bring the ranks of life members to 18, with a maximum possible of 20.

Nominated by Akarana Zone, Pearson was NZRL chair from 2001-06, but his dedication to rugby league stretches back to the 1950s, where he began his playing career with the North Shore Albion club.

Since then, he has carved an outstanding reputation as an administrator, serving as Auckland Rugby League chair (1998-2000) and the NZ Warriors (2001), and raising many millions of dollars towards local and national development of league.

During his tenure with the national body, he oversaw the purchase of NZRL House in Penrose, venue for today’s meeting.

“I am really humbled to give this life membership out, it’s well overdue and well deserved,” said selection panel chair Ray Haffenden.

Fagan (Kiwi #401) has been a player, coach and administrator for more than 75 years, representing Auckland and New Zealand as a fullback for 53 games (17 tests) from 1961-67.

He coached NZ Universities from 1968-71 and was a chairman of NZ Universities Rugby League for three years. Fagan was a founding member of the Auckland Leagues Club, has been vice chairman of the NZRL Kiwis Association for more than 20 years and has served on the NZRL Museum board since its inception in 2004.

He has been a member of the NZ judiciary committee for 34 years.

Reidy (Kiwi #383) played his first game of rugby league for Auckland Marist in 1947 and amassed more than 400 games for them, before hanging up his boots in the late 1960s. He was later made a life member of the club.

He played 21 tests for the national team, scoring 34 tries from 1959-66 and earning the nickname “Speedy Reidy”.

Reidy is a life member of the NZRL Kiwis Association, was secretary/treasurer for more than 45 years and still serves as treasurer. He is also a founding member and treasurer of the NZRL Museum, and a member of NZRL and Auckland Rugby League judiciaries.

The new life members will be honoured at an official function later this year, while distinguished service awards will be presented at the next NZRL Awards ceremony.

The full list of NZRL life members currently stands at:

John Bray, Jim Campbell, Ray Cranch, Ken English, Fagan, Cathy Friend, Allen Gore, Don Hammond, Ray Haffenden, Peter Kerridge, Bud Lisle, Tom McKeown, Trevor Maxwell, Pearson, Reidy, Gerald Ryan, Howie Tamati, Bill Whitehead

The annual meeting also confirmed three board director appointments – incumbent Jennifer Roth was re-appointed for a further term, while Kiwi legend Tawera Nikau and former Canterbury RL chairman Reon Edwards were added.

NZ Rugby League reported a modest $16,000 surplus for the 12 months. This disappointing result was due mainly to a surprising zero return from the 2014 Anzac Test, staged in Sydney.

ends

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