The TRU Board nominated Max Spence to be the NZ Rugby’s Vice President at their AGM on Thursday 17 April. The nomination was supported by all South Island Provincial Unions and he was unanimously elected.
Max, a Tasman and Nelson rugby stalwart and the man credited with bringing the Mako to life is now one of New Zealand's highest-ranking rugby officers.
After serving two years in the vice president role beginning in 2020, Max will become President of the national game's governing body, following incumbent and former All Black midfielder Bill Osborne, who replaces the departing Maurice Trapp.
From the TRU perspective, it is pleasing to have someone from the administration side on the national stage. It illustrates that we're coming of age not just on the field or with the coaches and players, but our administrators are being recognised as well.
Although a largely ceremonial role, the vice-president's function is to work between the various bodies of the game, from Heartland to Super Rugby and to acknowledge the work being done in the school, club and provincial union level.
In the nomination speech, TRU CEO Tony Lewis stated that the Board believed that Max was an "innovator, political navigator and holds the attitude the game is more important than the individual". As vice-president Max would be "a great ambassador for the game and the NZ Rugby brand. He has represented the Tasman region with distinction.
Max has forged a 20-year legacy in community rugby as a club player and administrator. He served as chairman of the Nelson Bays Rugby Union between 1996, the Chairman of the TRU Board 2006 - 2008; and was on the Crusaders board from 1999 to 2010.
Appointed as TRU's inaugural chairman between 2006 and 2008, Max withstood the fledgling union's turbulent infancy with funding issues, disagreement amongst its stakeholders and two proposed reductions of top-flight teams threatening its initial future.
The disputes and dramas resolved themselves and in the following years Tasman has developed into a consistent provincial performer on and off the paddock.
In recent times the TRU has developed six All Blacks, eight Maori All Blacks, three All Blacks Sevens, two Black Ferns Sevens. In addition, Mako players have featured prominently in Super Rugby and NZ Under 20 teams.
After winning the second-tier Championship in 2013, the Mako has also made the Premiership final in 2014, 2016 and 2017.
In 2013, Max was named the TRU's first life member.
Having been part of a pivotal period in top of the south rugby, stretching from Nelson Bays' 1992 third division title to Tasman's baby steps in the big league, Max has been integral in our rise nationally and this was critical to the Board’s nomination.
#FinzUp
Tony Lewis