Rugby: Next six months will be critical - outgoing NZR boss Mark Robinson
NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson
Photo:
PHOTOSPORT
The outgoing boss of New Zealand Rugby believes he is leaving the organisation in a better place.
Chief executive Mark Robinson has resigned and will leave the organisation at the end of the year after six years in the role.
The nine-Test All Black said the decision was driven by a desire to join his family, who are now based in Australia.
Robinson said the next six months would be a critical time for the sport.
"We have massive opportunities as it relates to the international calendar that we're very close to finalising. Then we have a fantastic opportunity again around the financial model of the game in New Zealand ...to find a way to be on a more sustainable footing going forward," Robinson said.
The 51-year-old felt he was leaving the organisation in a better place because of the significant potential for growth.
"The focus we now have on fans and the positioning we've done internationally ...our teams, our athletes, our brands are far more recognisable all around the world. Our sponsorship base has more than doubled.
"We now invest close to $40 million a year into the community game ...we're seeing community rugby numbers bounce back to sort of pre-Covid levels."
During his time, New Zealand Rugby had to deal with the drawn-out Silver Lake negotiations when the US private equity firm invested in the game here, which Robinson said was an important juncture for the sport.
"When you look at what we've been able to invest in over the last few years ...and we are definitely seeing green shoots and signs that we can grow revenue ...we were a little bit ahead of our time in terms of looking at that opportunity.
"Seeing all the things we've been able to invest in to bring the Silver Lake deal to fruition and be able to invest over $60 million in participants and fans and stakeholders."
He said it was important for the organisation to reflect the community.
"Our country is very different to what it was five years ago and I think our environments and our team and our people have made huge shifts there around how accessible and open and inclusive our environments are."
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster (left) and NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson.
Photo:
PHOTOSPORT
He said it was important to preserve the history of New Zealand Rugby, while not getting left behind.
"Forcing ourselves to be different in the way we think about the future of the game and the way we connect with fans and participants is a constant challenge ...because the trends around sport, recreation and entertainment are constantly evolving."
A very drawn-out public All Blacks head coaching saga occurred during his time.
Scott Robertson was initially rumoured to be replacing Ian Foster but ultimately Foster was given a chance to continue to the 2023 World Cup, after Robertson was announced as his successor.
Robinson said New Zealand Rugby put the success of the team at the front of all the decisions.
"It meant pushing and making sure we had the right people there to have the absolute best chance of winning that tournament. And then we also had the team's best interests at heart as it relates to the medium to long term and made what changes were needed to set us up for success."
Robinson said leading the organisation through Covid was the toughest part of his tenure.
"I think I was three weeks into the role when Covid came along ...but what we've been able to do through the immediate aftermath of Covid in terms of growing revenue by over 60 percent on an annual basis.
"We also at that time took stock of where the game was at and started talking I think for the first time around this game having to be far more fan centric ...and in the community game to really focus on our participants."
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