Kiwis v. Tonga - Wednesday 14 October, Rotorua International Stadium September 2009 2009 Bartercard Premiership Grand final Champions - Canterbury! For a wrap up of the 2009 Bartercard National Provincial Premiership - NJC16s, NJC18s and the Bartercard Premiership - turn to page 3. What’s In This Issue Pages 2 - 3: Update from CEO Jim Doyle Page 12: Matrix provide free security service Page 4: NZRL Tsunami fundraising Page 13: Maungaturoto Primary School day of Page 5: Bartercard National Provincial Premiership league wrap up Page 14: Defence Forces left defenceless Page 6: Coach and Trainer Kiwis Workshop Page 15: Stephen Kearney Cup Update Page 7: Online clearances from 2010 Page 16: Burnham Rugby League’s longest serving Page 9: NJC 16s and 18s merit teams named members Page 10: Bartercard Premiership Selection v Toa Page 17: Mad Butcher Lounge at the Kiwis Test Samoa Domestic match Page 18: League 4 Samoa Page 11: Mutterings in the Coach’s Box Update from NZRL CEO Jim Doyle Well these last few weeks sure have been full on, and we have certainly made progress on many fronts. Our Game Plan was presented to many people throughout the country and was both well received and well supported. During these presentations we said the most important part of any Game Plan is actually making it happen, which is cer- tainly what we intend to do. Another aspect we talked a lot about during our presentations was the need for improved communication and complete transparency. We will use this newslet- ter as one of our means to improve communications and transparency by providing an update each month as to how we are progressing against our Game Plan and initiatives. Game Development – National Competitions Congratulations to the Canterbury Bulls for their victory in the Bartercard Pre- miership, and Auckland for winning both NJC16’s and NJC18’s. Auckland did very well to reach all three Finals but good to see Taranaki 16’s, Wellington 18’s and the Bulls making it all the way also. It was also pleasing to see that for the first time in many years we were able to hold the Barter- card Premiership Final at the home of the top qualifier. I would again like to thank Sky TV for agreeing to televise the Grand Final from Rugby Park in Christchurch. In future we will endeavour to try and continue hosting the final at the home of the top qualifier, but this may not always be possible. Talking about the future and Competitions, during our Game Plan presentations a regular ques- tion that was asked was, when will we have a new Competitions structure? Our response was that in order to ensure we get it right, we will not just rush into something. We are in the process of establishing a Competitions advisory group (from within our game) that will meet and work on what the future Competitions structure will look like. This will then be dis- cussed throughout the country at our next face to face update in late January to gain further in- put. This means that for the most part our Competitions next year will not change, with the exception that our Bartercard National Provincial Premiership may be in a different format. We will provide further updates in due course. Partners We have presented our Game Plan to many of our partners including SPARC. The feedback has been excellent, with everyone happy with progress to date and supportive of our Plan. We will now continue to work with SPARC through the details from a funding per- spective. We have also started discussions with other funders and sponsors re long term relationships. Increased Participation – LeagueNet In order for us to grow the game throughout the country we need to ensure our membership databases are accurate, as these will provide us all the informa- tion we need to make sure we increase participation at all levels and for all categories (players, coaches, referees, etc). Carmen Taplin will be working with specific people across the country over the next couple of months to make sure all the data is entered and up to date, and then we can use this information to work within the Zones to increase participation in the right areas within each Zone. ...Continued “Talking about the future and Competitions, during our Game Plan presentations a regular question that was asked was, when will we have a new Competitions structure? Our re- sponse was that in order to ensure we get it right, we will not just rush into something. “ 2 Culture of Excellence – “Right People, Right Places” Now we have completed our Game Plan and our tactics, we are in the process of reviewing our structure. The objective is to ensure we have the right people in the roles required to deliver our Game Plan. Within the NZRL office this will be com- pleted by end of October, and will then be communicated accordingly. Family & Community – More than just a Game As we announced earlier this month, we have selected a Bartercard Premiership Se- lection side to play a Toa Samoa Domestic squad at Mt Smart this Saturday, 10 Oc- tober. I would like to congratulate all the players, coaches and management who have been selected and wish them well in this event. This is in line with our Game Plan, providing pathways for players, coaches, trainers etc. Again, this is something we intend to continue and hope to arrange games for an NZ Residents side each year. The reason I wish them well for this event, is that it has actually now turned into more than just an event. After the news of the recent tragedy in Samoa, we thought it was important that we reach out to the Rugby League community and take the opportunity to turn our Game into a benefit match. And with a lot of work from a lot of people this has now turned into a significant event that we are sure will raise much needed funds to provide some relief. Our thanks go out to all those that are involved in this (a separate release will be circulated with de- tails) event which again shows that Rugby League is “More than just a Game” International Success – Kiwis in Town It is good to see the Kiwi team announced this week and the team assemble on Wednesday. We were very pleased to announce that Stephen Kearney has agreed a new four year contract that sees him as the Kiwis Head Coach until the 2013 World Cup. This allows us to focus on the long term and build a squad with the future in mind. I am sure you will all join me in wishing Stephen, Benji and the team best wishes for the Tonga Test in Rotorua and the Gillette Four Nations in the UK and France. While the Kiwis are in town we are holding two sessions where coaches and trainers from throughout the country will participate in organised activities with the Kiwis and Kiwi management - more on this on page 5. Financial Sustainability – Budgets We are presently working through all the tactics required to deliver our Game Plan over the next three years, and the costs involved in doing so. This is a piece of work that we expect to take some time - we don’t want to find our- selves in 12 months time suddenly coming up against costs we had not identified ear- lier so we are prepared to take the time now to get it right. Communications As you may have noticed, we have had a steady flow of press releases over the last month and with the information in this month’s newsletter, I hope you agree that we are certainly increasing communication. Effective Administration and Governance – Zone Boards We have now announced four of the seven Zone Boards, with the remaining three Boards expected to be announced during October. I hope my update and this newsletter provides you an update as to how we are pro- gressing on many of the activities we are working on. We will continuously look at ways we can keep everyone informed as to what is going on. Jim Doyle 3 4 2009 Bartercard National Provincial Premiership Grand Finals Wrap Up With rugby league action taking place in Auckland and Christchurch on Sunday 04 October it was an action-packed weekend for league lovers! The NJC16s and 18s were playing their Finals at Auckland’s Cornwall Park, with Auckland fielding finalist teams in both grades. In the NJC 16s game, which went to extra time, Auckland edged out Taranaki, while in the NJC 18s Auckland were the clear winners over Wellington. On hand to present the medals to the winning teams were league icons Dean Bell for the NJC 16s and Benji Marshall for the NJC 18s. Later that same day, Auckland again featured in the Finals action, competing against Canterbury in the Bartercard Premiership Grand Final. Thanks to Sky’s support, the Bartercard Premiership Grand Final was broadcast live from Canterbury’s home ground. The wet, cold weather was no deterrent to approximately 900 supports who turned up to watch the Bulls take on Auckland, and the local lads delivered a stunner of a match, with man -of-the-match Johnny Aranga scoring a try in the dying seconds of the game to seal the Bulls’ victory 26 - 20. Left: Taranaki's Aaron Whitikia is tack- led by Auckland's Bronson Manu in the NJC 16s Foundation Cup Final. Above: Canterbury Bulls player , and the Ken Stirling Player of the Day Johnny Aranga with the ball fends off a tackle by Auckland’s Sione Taka.