New Zealand Rugby welcomes new President and Vice President

Former rugby internationals Matthew Cooper and Erin Rush have been elected as the President and Vice President of New Zealand Rugby (NZR) at today’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). 

Former Black Fern, Rush, is the first woman to hold the vice president’s office for NZR. She joins Matthew Cooper who takes over Max Spence as President. 

NZR Chair Dame Patsy Reddy said; 

“Matt and Erin are highly respected in rugby circles and will be exceptional ambassadors for New Zealand Rugby. Their roles help in our vision to inspire and unify through rugby, and I know both will enjoy connecting with people involved in the game at every level.” 

 The AGM celebrated several successes, both on and off the field from 2023.   

Participation numbers increased by 7% on 2022 with 147,434 community rugby players taking the field last year, spurred by a 20% growth in women and girls participants and teenage participants up by 11%. 

“There are so many benefits to playing rugby – from the physical to the social – and to see more people enjoying the game across the country is exciting. We are aware there are still challenges in the community game, however these are encouraging trends we hope to continue in 2024,” said Dame Patsy.

Community rugby also saw the successful introduction of law variations designed to improve player safety, including lower tackle height (below the sternum) and a reduced scrum push.  

The All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens teams both claimed World Series titles, with the Black Ferns Sevens going on a 41-game winning streak. Also excelling on the field, four New Zealand Rugby referees were selected to officiate at the Rugby World Cup, where the All Blacks came within one point of winning the tournament’s final 

Off field, Super Rugby teams helped to raise $250,000 donated to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, Women and Girls System Strategy and Pasifika Strategy launched, as did NZR+, bringing our fans closer than ever to the Teams in Black. 

As was previously reported in June, the financial performance saw reserves almost double in 2023 and, despite a net statutory loss of $8.9m for the financial year, income tracked strongly.  

Dame Patsy noted; “We are intently focused on safeguarding the future of the game at all levels. In a year where the NZR Board achieved both gender and all-round diversity, it was appropriate to look at modernising governance structures of the game. New Zealanders love rugby, and we thank our stakeholders for keeping this as the central tenet of these conversations. We trust future decision making will maintain this spirit.” 

NZR’s voting members approved three resolutions added to the Transition Provisions following the governance reform changes approved at May’s Special General Meeting.  These resolutions will see some of the timelines to implement the new Board appointment process approved at May’s SGM extended in 2024. 

Further information:
Click here for New Zealand Rugby’s 2023 Annual Report
 
Matthew Cooper bio 
Matthew is in his 23rd year as Chief Executive of Sport Waikato, after a rugby career spanning 15 years at club, NPC and international levels. 

With his time in the sport and recreation sector, he has had the opportunity to grow his governance experience, representing the Waikato Regional Sports Precinct Charitable Trust, Halberg Foundation and Momentum Waikato Foundation, as well as leading several reference groups linked to sport and recreation over the last decade. 
 
Erin Rush bio 
A former player, Erin Rush represented Wellington FC and was a long-standing captain of the Wellington Pride before making her Black Ferns debut in 2003. 

Rush has two Test caps to her name but continued to contribute to rugby after her playing days, she was appointed the first female president of Centurions Rugby Club and was the first female Citing Commissioner for New Zealand Rugby. 

Outside of rugby, Rush is a leading Real estate agent for Harcourts, the top salesperson in Wellington City since 2016. 

Her son, Stanley Solomon, is currently playing for the New Zealand Under 20s at the World Rugby Under 20 Championship.