Nzrl Board Elects Haffenden As New Chairman
Ray Haffenden has been elected the New Zealand Rugby League's new chairman after Andrew Chalmers resigned before today's board meeting.
Chalmers told the directors he had reached his decision due to on-going pressure on his family and his own business commitments.
The board also received resignations from its three independent directors Glenda Hughes, Simon Doig and Eddie Mathews. With Chalmers resigning, they said they had decided to stand aside to enable the remaining elected directors to set the platform for the game's future.
Haffenden, a former Kiwi manager, said the board would continue to function with its remaining five directors until the NZRL's annual meeting early next year.
"Today's developments have presented us with challenges but we're committed to doing all we can to see the game through this," he said.
The board noted Chalmers had been responsible for a number of achievements during his term as chairman. These included:
* Renegotiating the Tri Nations agreement, enabling the NZRL to re-craft its television and commercial arrangements to ensure the commercial value of the Kiwis is maximised.
* Rebuilding relationships with the NZRL's international and commercial partners.
* Initiating and leading the independent governance review which had resulted in the NZRL's constitutional reforms.
* Instigating special advisory panel meetings to ensure consultation with members.
* Leading the competitions reform which was unanimously supported by a vote at a meeting in Wellington.
* Leaving the game with an improved commercial television deal as well as improved ball supplier, kit supplier and licensing deals.
Chalmers has agreed to continue to assist with the completion of negotiations of current commercial arrangements
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