News

Blenheim businessman Wayne Young is the new chairman of the Tasman Rugby Union.

Forty eight-year-old Young, who has sat on the Tasman board for the past six years, replaces Ken Beams who as stepped down from the chairman’s role, but will remain on the board as deputy chairman.

Young, a former Marlborough Red Devils halfback, was approached by the Marlborough Rugby Union to be their representative on the Tasman board in 2011 and has continued in that role ever since.

He has chaired the professional rugby committee for the past three years, alongside CEO Tony Lewis, head coach Leon MacDonald and fellow board member Tony Woodall as they worked within the budget to contract top-level players.

Young anticipates his new role will mean an increased work load. "I think I am going to be a lot busier, working closely with the CEO.

"I’m looking forward to [the new role] … over the last three or four years the communities have come closer together.

"I believe the board work together outstandingly well. The relationship around the table is second to none. It is a credit to everyone on the board because geographically we are different.

"The board offers many different skill sets, which is important … and their good governance has been reflected on the field and in the community.

"We are working really hard in the area of community rugby … I think it has come a long way. Plus we have a team of fantastic employees who do a great job on both sides of the hill.”

He was also full of praise for his predecessor. "Ken is not a person who seeks the limelight, he just gets jobs done. He has done a great job and I have a great deal of respect for him.”

Lewis says Beams was a pleasure to work alongside. "Ken is one of the best chairmen I have come across. His ability to let the staff get on with managing the game and making sure that the board are over the governance of the game is second to none.

"Wayne has been a great lieutenant for Ken and has learned from one of the best in the country. Ken will be sorely missed around the New Zealand provincial union tables but he has a very able replacement.”

The Tasman board is: Wayne Young (chairman), Scott Ford, Scott Gibbons, Tony Healey, George Millar, Tony Woodall, Ken Beams (deputy chairman).

Young, a former Marlborough Red Devils halfback, was approached by the Marlborough Rugby Union to be their representative on the Tasman board in 2011 and has continued in that role ever since.

He has chaired the professional rugby committee for the past three years, alongside CEO Tony Lewis, head coach Leon MacDonald and fellow board member Tony Woodall as they worked within the budget to contract top-level players.

Young anticipates his new role will mean an increased work load. "I think I am going to be a lot busier, working closely with the CEO.

"I’m looking forward to [the new role] … over the last three or four years the communities have come closer together.

"I believe the board work together outstandingly well. The relationship around the table is second to none. It is a credit to everyone on the board because geographically we are different.

"The board offers many different skill sets, which is important … and their good governance has been reflected on the field and in the community.

"We are working really hard in the area of community rugby … I think it has come a long way. Plus we have a team of fantastic employees who do a great job on both sides of the hill.”

He was also full of praise for his predecessor. "Ken is not a person who seeks the limelight, he just gets jobs done. He has done a great job and I have a great deal of respect for him.”

Lewis says Beams was a pleasure to work alongside. "Ken is one of the best chairmen I have come across. His ability to let the staff get on with managing the game and making sure that the board are over the governance of the game is second to none.

"Wayne has been a great lieutenant for Ken and has learned from one of the best in the country. Ken will be sorely missed around the New Zealand provincial union tables but he has a very able replacement.”

The Tasman board is: Wayne Young (chairman), Scott Ford, Scott Gibbons, Tony Healey, George Millar, Tony Woodall, Ken Beams (deputy chairman).