Peter van den Bogaardt is our Finance Manager based in the Nelson office. He takes care of the TRU’s money matters, and is also a keen rugby follower of the Tasman Makos (but also the Sharks and Springboks). His passion outside work and rugby is all things craft beer.
What is the core role as you see it at Tasman RU?
My role as Finance Manager incorporates all aspects of financial control of the Union such as ensuring revenue and costs are within the budget set by the TRU Board, payment of TRU staff as well as the players and generating revenue through application to gaming trust organisations. At Makos home games I’m responsible for the sale of Yealands wine and Speights beersies.
What is your career background prior to joining TRU?
After graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Natal I headed to London where I worked mostly in banking and financial institutions dealing with fund management and investments. After 5 years, having met the girl of my dreams, I headed to Wellington where I continued working for the likes of ANZ Bank and AMP. Having had enough of the Wellington weather, I landed a job at Nelson Airport before joining the TRU.
Tell us a bit about your personal life
I met Kathryn, my partner, on a roof top overlooking the Oval cricket ground in London and, twenty-two years later, we’re still going strong. No kids but we have an eighteen-month-old Labrador bitch who is a bit of a handful. I have an obsession with craft beer which sees me hunting out the latest brew whenever I can.
Who were your favourite rugby players growing up?
I have fond memories of watching Joel Stransky in a packed Kings Park Stadium in Durban in the early 90’s. He wasn’t too shabby with the old drop-kick either! Tana Umaga was another player who stood out, not only for his abilities as a centre but his leadership qualities. His “we’re not playing tiddlywinks” quote after a great tackle on Dan Carter is now rugby folklore.
Who are your current favourite rugby players?
I always enjoyed watching Marty Banks play as he always seemed to have the ability to make something happen in a match, and enjoyed a joke and a yarn off the pitch. I have also enjoyed watching Quinten Strange rising through the ranks from an academy player at TRU to Super Rugby player.