Latest news with #CoreyKennett
RNZ News
27-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Rugby union considers match cancellations after referee stabbing threat
File photo. Photo: Unsplash / Davide Buttani The Horowhenua-Kāpiti Rugby Football Union (HKRFU) is considering cancelling games after a referee was threatened with being stabbed. The union posted on social media that it was "deeply concerned about the escalating abuse directed at our referees, including recent incidents of verbal threats, threats of physical harm, including being stabbed, and actual physical abuse." It said it had been decided that if there are were further instances of serious referee abuse, all senior club rugby across the region would be cancelled for one full weekend. A Thames Valley v Horowhenua-Kāpiti match in 2022. File photo Photo: © Jason Bartley 2022 © Photosport Ltd 2022 / HKRFU said the problem had reached a tipping point, and the "safety and well-being of our match officials must take absolute priority". "This is not a decision we take lightly, but it is a necessary step to send a clear and unequivocal message, abuse will not be tolerated." If cancelled, those games would be rescheduled for later in the season. HKRFU chief executive Corey Kennett said the behaviour was "completely unacceptable" and "in direct opposition to the values of respect, safety, and integrity that underpin our great game". He said the problem had been building. "You've got to paint the landscape and this is not one weekend's activity. This is a culmination of the degradation of respect for match officials over a period of time," Kennett said. "What it culminated in is referees being physically threatened, some physical abuse with a referee being struck with a piece of field equipment, and then one referee being threatened to be stabbed. "We're just not going to walk past it. For us, the standard you walk past is the standard you accept, and so we're just not going to accept that." Kennett said HKFRU are investigating the two incidents, both of which were at senior games, and the police are involved. He's confident those responsible will be found. "We've got ongoing investigations so I can't comment on exact detail, but we have a pretty good hit record on identification," Kennett said. "Rugby's a pretty small and committed community, so it's rare for someone to be unidentified. "When we do (identify them) we prosecute them to the full extent of what we can and we always see a fantastic response from member clubs in particular who support that wholeheartedly." Horowhenua Kāpiti celebrate. Lochore Cup Final. 2018. Photo: John Cowpland/Photosport Ltd 2018 Kennett said the problem isn't confined to Horowhenua-Kāpiti. "Absolutely. It's a country wide epidemic. In fact if we were to have a table of the worst cases of abuse, we're (HKRFU) far from the worst. "But it doesn't stop the effect of what is happening. These volunteers that go out every week and enable the game to happen. They don't go along to watch. They don't go along to sit down and take it easy. They make the game happen. "This game does not happen without them. They will leave their home, their family. They will take time off work. We're always short of referees and we will have them officiating in two to three games per day and sad fact is they could be abused at all three to various levels of abuse. "We just need people to really have a look in the mirror and some of them need to give themselves an uppercut, but some of them need to think about what would you do if that's your family member, your husband, your wife, your son, your daughter. You know, what would you do? Are you going to walk past that standard or are you going to stand up and do something and that's what we need." Kennett said referees are essential volunteers to the sport and deserve to officiate without fear of abuse or intimidation. He said the abuse was disappointing but the response from clubs and others in the province had been heartwarming. "We've had the whole of the rugby community agreed to this 100% unanimously, that we had to do something. "The Rugby Referees Association have been incredibly thankful for the support and they've been involved in the process the whole way. "What we're hoping is that we can get a combined approach and try and get this under control." The Horowhenua-Kāpiti Rugby Referees Association said in a statement that it backed the union's decision to draw a line in the sand. "We are thank full for the support we have received from the whole Rugby Community to address abuse. "We very much appreciated being involved in the process and support fully the stance taken by the Horowhenua Kāpiti Rugby Union."
RNZ News
09-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Provinces have confidence in NZ Rugby - but with a limit
Buller team celebrate winning the Heartland championship Lochore Cup Final. Buller v South Canterbury. Victoria Square, Westport. Photo: Chris Symes Losing the essence of New Zealand Rugby remains a prevalent fear among the grassroots level of the game. This comes in the wake of the news that NZ Rugby recorded a third consecutive financial loss in 2024, just shy of $20 million . The nation's 26 provincial rugby unions met with the country's governing body at the AGM yesterday to strategise for a sound financial future. Despite again being in the red, Horowhenua Kāpiti chair Corey Kennett said most provinces were willing to give the board time. "I think there is confidence, but it does have a limit. We obviously are in a very tough times where we need to see deliverables and in particular around funding around how we look after the community game and the financial horsepower needed to make that happen has got to keep going. We're hopeful and there has been some great developments." Kennett understood these were trying times. "When we look at the loss, any loss is undesirable, but there are extenuating circumstances." He noted the investment in the commercial strategy and a drop in the US dollar as reasons for the shortfall. Bay of Plenty CEO Mike Rogers shared similar sentiments. "They did a really good job of helping us understand the position, and we know there's already work underway with New Zealand Rugby around financial sustainability." He was also noted needing to allow the new board time to implement its strategies. "We all know that that's not a sustainable model to make losses like that. So I think the next phase of how New Zealand rugby operate in terms of the actions they take are going to be pretty critical for the game. I think we do have to be prepared to have some patience, but that doesn't mean that we can sort of sit on our hands. We certainly need to see action." Kaleb Foote of King Country celebrates his try during the Ranfurly Shield rugby match between Hawkes Bay and King Country at Hastings Sports Park (Mitre 10 Park) in Hastings, New Zealand on Wednesday June 26, 2024. Photo: Aaron Gillions / Buller CEO Phill Gower was also pragmatic about the losses. "Rugby costs money to run, doesn't it? And we've got to get money from somewhere. So if we have a shortfall, it's either from the fact that we haven't received enough money in sponsorship or revenues, so therefore that's what we've really got to look at and try and bring up." Kennett said he feels the new NZR board are far less disconnected to the grassroots game than their predecessors. "The new board I can report have made more efforts than we have seen previously. There's been a positive realisation that work needed to be done in that space to increase collaboration, communication. The proof will be in the pudding." Rogers said there must always an ongoing conversation around supporting the community game. "That is obviously the foundation of what's made New Zealand rugby so strong over 130-odd years. Our job as provincial unions is to advocate as strongly as possible for investment in the community game. We do also need to appreciate that it is a balance and value the role of the All Blacks and Black Ferns play in generating revenue and that can be invested back in the community, it's not an easy position for New Zealand rugby to manage." Junior Rugby Open Grade, Carlton v University, Saturday 21 August 2010. War Memorial Park, Mt Roskill, Auckland, New Zealand. Photo: Andrew Cornaga Kennett believed while most provinces were smartly spending their money on the community, some were prioritising 'buying trophies'. "We have to look at what is our reason for being and our reason for being is for promoting the in all areas, the professional, semi-professional and amateur game." He said there is a risk of losing what makes New Zealand Rugby not only special, but successful. "In the heartland space in particular, we are working hard with our heartland brother and sister unions to make sure that we stay in the amateur game and don't try and go into the semi-professional, paying for players to pay when we are in an amateur game." He believed with the right innovations, the NPC will endure. "I mean it's no secret. There were models that were very difficult to sustain. Some unions are sustaining it, but what is evident is there needs to be change in some ways. I think NPC will always be there. To what level of professionalism or semi-professional the competition is, that's probably the real question going forward and whatever it is, it has to be financially sustainable in whatever mode you come up with." Rogers also stressed the importance of our domestic competitions. "The NPC and FPC are our point of difference and sort of a secret sauce of what makes rugby in New Zealand so strong. Our challenge is to continue to grow it, make it strong, and viable." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
09-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Provinces have in NZ Rugby - but with a limit
Buller team celebrate winning the Heartland championship Lochore Cup Final. Buller v South Canterbury. Victoria Square, Westport. Photo: Chris Symes Losing the essence of New Zealand Rugby remains a prevalent fear among the grassroots level of the game. This comes in the wake of the news that NZ Rugby recorded a third consecutive financial loss in 2024, just shy of $20 million . The nation's 26 provincial rugby unions met with the country's governing body at the AGM yesterday to strategise for a sound financial future. Despite again being in the red, Horowhenua Kāpiti chair Corey Kennett said most provinces were willing to give the board time. "I think there is confidence, but it does have a limit. We obviously are in a very tough times where we need to see deliverables and in particular around funding around how we look after the community game and the financial horsepower needed to make that happen has got to keep going. We're hopeful and there has been some great developments." Kennett understood these were trying times. "When we look at the loss, any loss is undesirable, but there are extenuating circumstances." He noted the investment in the commercial strategy and a drop in the US dollar as reasons for the shortfall. Bay of Plenty CEO Mike Rogers shared similar sentiments. "They did a really good job of helping us understand the position, and we know there's already work underway with New Zealand Rugby around financial sustainability." He was also noted needing to allow the new board time to implement its strategies. "We all know that that's not a sustainable model to make losses like that. So I think the next phase of how New Zealand rugby operate in terms of the actions they take are going to be pretty critical for the game. I think we do have to be prepared to have some patience, but that doesn't mean that we can sort of sit on our hands. We certainly need to see action." Kaleb Foote of King Country celebrates his try during the Ranfurly Shield rugby match between Hawkes Bay and King Country at Hastings Sports Park (Mitre 10 Park) in Hastings, New Zealand on Wednesday June 26, 2024. Photo: Aaron Gillions / Buller CEO Phill Gower was also pragmatic about the losses. "Rugby costs money to run, doesn't it? And we've got to get money from somewhere. So if we have a shortfall, it's either from the fact that we haven't received enough money in sponsorship or revenues, so therefore that's what we've really got to look at and try and bring up." Kennett said he feels the new NZR board are far less disconnected to the grassroots game than their predecessors. "The new board I can report have made more efforts than we have seen previously. There's been a positive realisation that work needed to be done in that space to increase collaboration, communication. The proof will be in the pudding." Rogers said there must always an ongoing conversation around supporting the community game. "That is obviously the foundation of what's made New Zealand rugby so strong over 130-odd years. Our job as provincial unions is to advocate as strongly as possible for investment in the community game. We do also need to appreciate that it is a balance and value the role of the All Blacks and Black Ferns play in generating revenue and that can be invested back in the community, it's not an easy position for New Zealand rugby to manage." Junior Rugby Open Grade, Carlton v University, Saturday 21 August 2010. War Memorial Park, Mt Roskill, Auckland, New Zealand. Photo: Andrew Cornaga Kennett believed while most provinces were smartly spending their money on the community, some were prioritising 'buying trophies'. "We have to look at what is our reason for being and our reason for being is for promoting the in all areas, the professional, semi-professional and amateur game." He said there is a risk of losing what makes New Zealand Rugby not only special, but successful. "In the heartland space in particular, we are working hard with our heartland brother and sister unions to make sure that we stay in the amateur game and don't try and go into the semi-professional, paying for players to pay when we are in an amateur game." He believed with the right innovations, the NPC will endure. "I mean it's no secret. There were models that were very difficult to sustain. Some unions are sustaining it, but what is evident is there needs to be change in some ways. I think NPC will always be there. To what level of professionalism or semi-professional the competition is, that's probably the real question going forward and whatever it is, it has to be financially sustainable in whatever mode you come up with." Rogers also stressed the importance of our domestic competitions. "The NPC and FPC are our point of difference and sort of a secret sauce of what makes rugby in New Zealand so strong. Our challenge is to continue to grow it, make it strong, and viable." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
09-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Provinces have 'limited confidence' in NZ Rugby
Buller team celebrate winning the Heartland championship Lochore Cup Final. Buller v South Canterbury. Victoria Square, Westport. Photo: Chris Symes Losing the essence of New Zealand Rugby remains a prevalent fear among the grassroots level of the game. This comes in the wake of the news that NZ Rugby recorded a third consecutive financial loss in 2024, [just shy of $20 million]. The nation's 26 provincial rugby unions met with the country's governing body at the AGM yesterday to strategise for a sound financial future. Despite again being in the red, Horowhenua Kāpiti chair Corey Kennett said most provinces were willing to give the board time. "I think there is confidence, but it does have a limit. We obviously are in a very tough times where we need to see deliverables and in particular around funding around how we look after the community game and the financial horsepower needed to make that happen has got to keep going. We're hopeful and there has been some great developments." Kennett understood these were trying times. "When we look at the loss, any loss is undesirable, but there are extenuating circumstances." He noted the investment in the commercial strategy and a drop in the US dollar as reasons for the shortfall. Bay of Plenty CEO Mike Rogers shared similar sentiments. "They did a really good job of helping us understand the position, and we know there's already work underway with New Zealand Rugby around financial sustainability." He was also noted needing to allow the new board time to implement its strategies. "We all know that that's not a sustainable model to make losses like that. So I think the next phase of how New Zealand rugby operate in terms of the actions they take are going to be pretty critical for the game. I think we do have to be prepared to have some patience, but that doesn't mean that we can sort of sit on our hands. We certainly need to see action." Kaleb Foote of King Country celebrates his try during the Ranfurly Shield rugby match between Hawkes Bay and King Country at Hastings Sports Park (Mitre 10 Park) in Hastings, New Zealand on Wednesday June 26, 2024. Photo: Aaron Gillions / Buller CEO Phill Gower was also pragmatic about the losses. "Rugby costs money to run, doesn't it? And we've got to get money from somewhere. So if we have a shortfall, it's either from the fact that we haven't received enough money in sponsorship or revenues, so therefore that's what we've really got to look at and try and bring up." Kennett said he feels the new NZR board are far less disconnected to the grassroots game than their predecessors. "The new board I can report have made more efforts than we have seen previously. There's been a positive realisation that work needed to be done in that space to increase collaboration, communication. The proof will be in the pudding." Rogers said there must always an ongoing conversation around supporting the community game. "That is obviously the foundation of what's made New Zealand rugby so strong over 130-odd years. Our job as provincial unions is to advocate as strongly as possible for investment in the community game. We do also need to appreciate that it is a balance and value the role of the All Blacks and Black Ferns play in generating revenue and that can be invested back in the community, it's not an easy position for New Zealand rugby to manage." Junior Rugby Open Grade, Carlton v University, Saturday 21 August 2010. War Memorial Park, Mt Roskill, Auckland, New Zealand. Photo: Andrew Cornaga Kennett believed while most provinces were smartly spending their money on the community, some were prioritising 'buying trophies'. "We have to look at what is our reason for being and our reason for being is for promoting the in all areas, the professional, semi-professional and amateur game." He said there is a risk of losing what makes New Zealand Rugby not only special, but successful. "In the heartland space in particular, we are working hard with our heartland brother and sister unions to make sure that we stay in the amateur game and don't try and go into the semi-professional, paying for players to pay when we are in an amateur game." He believed with the right innovations, the NPC will endure. "I mean it's no secret. There were models that were very difficult to sustain. Some unions are sustaining it, but what is evident is there needs to be change in some ways. I think NPC will always be there. To what level of professionalism or semi-professional the competition is, that's probably the real question going forward and whatever it is, it has to be financially sustainable in whatever mode you come up with." Rogers also stressed the importance of our domestic competitions. "The NPC and FPC are our point of difference and sort of a secret sauce of what makes rugby in New Zealand so strong. Our challenge is to continue to grow it, make it strong, and viable." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
