logo
New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson resigns

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson resigns

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) chief executive Mark Robinson has resigned and will officially leave his post at the end of 2025, the organisation has announced.
NZR chairman David Kirk thanked Robinson for his 'great service' to the organisation and the sport over six years.
Advertisement
'On behalf of the Board, I'd like to recognise Mark for his great service to NZR and the sport,' he said in a statement.
'He has led with a passion for rugby and we thank him for his commitment over the past six years.
'Mark has driven significant change, both in New Zealand and internationally, and the Board believes the organisation is well-placed to capitalise on this. Of note was his leadership through a global pandemic that saw the game deal with an unprecedented crisis.'
He added: 'Mark will continue to lead for the remainder of the year as we conclude key projects, and the Board will now commence recruitment for the new role.'
Advertisement
In a statement, Robinson said he was leaving the role to join his wife and children, who have relocated to Australia.
'My family have been based in Australia for the last few months with all three of my children studying there,' he said.
'My wife is already there supporting them and, ultimately, I will be joining them early next year.
'The past six years have been a period of rapid change, or unprecedented challenges through the pandemic, and significant evolution across commercial, competitions and structures. I will reflect on that as I get closer to stepping away, but I firmly believe the foundations of our organisation are extremely strong and the game is well-placed for the future.
Advertisement
'Our vision is to inspire and unify through rugby and that opportunity has been an easy motivator for me every single day, from the community game right through to the international level.'
The 51-year-old called his tenure a 'privilege' and said his focus was on 'supporting the Board and leading the organisation through a pivotal year, including ensuring the Black Ferns have the support they need to defend the Rugby World Cup in England'.
He added: 'We also remain focused on implementing a new financial model for the game in New Zealand and completing the remaining work on what will be an exciting future international calendar.'
Robinson took up the role in January 2020, having previously served on the organisation's board for seven years.
Advertisement
His playing career included nine Tests for the All Blacks between 2000 and 2002 and appearances for the Bristol Bears and Japanese side Kobelco Steelers.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Nick Kyrgios's role as Wimbledon pundit to end after only one year
Nick Kyrgios's role as Wimbledon pundit to end after only one year

Times

time25 minutes ago

  • Times

Nick Kyrgios's role as Wimbledon pundit to end after only one year

Nick Kyrgios will not be part of the BBC's Wimbledon coverage this year and the Australian is set to miss the tournament as a player too. The BBC was criticised for hiring the 30-year-old for Wimbledon last year after he admitted assaulting an ex-girlfriend. Sources close to the broadcaster have confirmed that Kyrgios will not be part of the line-up for the 2025 event, which starts on June 30. Kyrgios confirmed last week that his hopes of playing in SW19 for the first time since 2022, when he reached the final, had been dashed by a setback in his recovery from injury. In 2023 Kyrgios admitted to assaulting his ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari when he pushed her over during an argument, but avoided a criminal conviction after a magistrate ruled that the offence was 'low-level'. He was also criticised for sharing social media posts by the misogynist influencer Andrew Tate — he later deleted them. Last year the BBC was forced to defend its decision to hire Kyrgios, saying: 'We are in no way condoning his cited previous actions or behaviours, on and off the court, and he is employed to share his views on tennis only.' Kyrgios has also been outspoken in recent months about the leniency of a three-month ban given to the French Open finalist and world No1 Jannik Sinner after two positive drugs tests in 2024. Kyrgios, who has been open about his mental health struggles, said the sanction showed that 'fairness in tennis does not exist'. Last year he told the interviewer Louis Theroux it was 'impossible' that the pyramids had been built by humans and also indicated he believed there was evidence to back up other conspiracy theories, including whether the moon landings had actually taken place.

Shaquille O'Neal sets the record straight on scandalous NBA relationships rumor
Shaquille O'Neal sets the record straight on scandalous NBA relationships rumor

Daily Mail​

time36 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Shaquille O'Neal sets the record straight on scandalous NBA relationships rumor

Basketball Hall-of-Famer and four-time NBA champion Shaquille O'Neal opened up about what really goes on when stars in the league go on the road. O'Neal was recently hosting an episode of his show, 'The Big Podcast', with fellow TNT personality Adam Lefkoe. In that episode, Lefkoe made the off-hand remark about fame-chasing women, saying 'every city you go to [as an NBA player], the women are looking for you.' But O'Neal rebuffed that assumption, saying that 'never happened' in his career - which spanned over 1,200 regular season games. 'That's a myth,' the 53-year-old O'Neal said, 'I've been in a lot of lobbies — I didn't see anybody. 'So I remember I was coming in; they did this 'Esquire' article about how the girls would be waiting out. So, I was looking for that. Never happened. Never happened. 'Trust me, I was the baddest on the road. It never happened. You go and you see people.' Shaq and Lefkoe were joined on this episode by former NBA guard Brandon Jennings, who agreed with O'Neal's assessment. From there, 'Diesel' explained how hard it was to make a relationship work while living on the road. 'The problem with us is when you live a certain lifestyle, and then it all shuts down, you only know what you know,' O'Neal said. 'So, if you don't know the rules of commitment, it'll never work. And then, you know, us being not committed, everything is an excuse. Because once you say to somebody, 'I'm going to commit,' you've got to do your f***ing job as a man. Right?' 'Once I say, 'You're my girlfriend,' do your job as a man. Everything else is an excuse. All that — there is so much into that. Once I say I commit to you, I'm supposed to do that as a man. I didn't do that. That's why all s–t has always failed. 'But if you live a tiger lifestyle and then you try to become a tame tiger — it ain't going to work. It's not going to work. 'So, you know, there's a reason why the divorce rate is high. Because we live a — and not all of us — but like, we live a certain lifestyle. And a lot comes with it. 'And then when that's all stopping, and you trying to go out and look for that, if you don't understand their rules and understand their laws — it'll never work.' O'Neal hasn't shied away from admitting to mistakes that he's made in past relationships. Back in 2023, he spoke to rapper and R&B singer Monica on her Apple Music Hits show 'Mo Talk Radio', where he admitted to 'being dumb' in two of his past relationships with 'two perfect women'. 'My first one was my baby mother, Arnetta [Yardbourgh], and then I met [his now ex-wife] Shaunie [Nelson]. Shaunie was also a perfect woman and I messed it up,' he said. 'Yeah, you know, we were young and always just doing dumb stuff. But, the good thing about our relationship is that they forgave me and we have a good relationship now. But when you ask me about the perfect woman — I had two perfect women and I messed it up, just by, you know, being dumb.' O'Neal and Shaunie were married for nine years before divorcing in 2011. They share four children: Shareef (who plays in the NBA's G-League), Amirah (who played college basketball at LSU and Texas Southern), Shaqir (who currently plays at Florida A&M) and Me'arah (who just wrapped up her freshman year on the University of Florida's women's basketball team).

Why isn't there much buzz for the Club World Cup?
Why isn't there much buzz for the Club World Cup?

The Independent

time41 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Why isn't there much buzz for the Club World Cup?

The United States is preparing to host the FIFA Club World Cup, but concerns about international travel, fan safety, and economic uncertainty are threatening enthusiasm for the tournament. The Club World Cup will bring 32 professional club teams to 11 U.S. cities with a $1 billion prize pool, but is facing a lack of buzz and slow ticket sales. The U.S. Travel Association has urged the Trump administration to improve visa processing and customs wait times ahead of the Club World Cup, Ryder Cup, next summer's World Cup, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has suggested longer shifts for consular staff and the use of artificial intelligence to process visas. A ban on travelers from multiple countries has raised concerns, despite an exemption for athletes and their immediate relatives, spurring worries over safety.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store