Former governor-general Dame Patsy Reddy has been named as New Zealand Rugby’s first female chair.
Reddy’s election was announced following the board’s final meeting of the year on Wednesday with her tenure beginning on February 1, 2023. Professor Farah Palmer and Bailey Mackey will serve as her joint deputy chairs.
She will replace the outgoing Stewart Mitchell, who will step aside after nine years served on the board.
Reddy was introduced to NZR in April following years of experience as a lawyer, director and crown negotiator, as well as her stint as governor-general from 2016-2021.
Now, following the Black Ferns’ incredible Rugby World Cup win, Reddy is set to make the most of her opportunity to continue the growth of community and women’s rugby in Aotearoa.
“We saw a whole different approach to rugby this year didn’t we, through the Rugby World Cup,” Reddy said in a press conference.
“Particularly with our Black Ferns and I think allowing fans to get to know the players a bit more, to engage, and participating at some level (is important). Watching the rugby of course and respecting the rugby, but seeing it more as something that they can participate in.
“Whether it’s through – now that we’ve got our commercial partnership up and running – expanding our digital content and access to the game and the high-performance part of it, but’s also going into the communities.
“Bringing back the love of the game at the community level; the Heartland rugby, seeing school boys and school girls excited about playing rugby and in particular … I think we’ve got to be really focussing on transitioning girls into the game.
“For girls particularly who haven’t played those contact sports, we’ve got to make sure they do it properly, safely and securely and with a good, welcoming environment around them.”
With Super Rugby Aupiki and the Black Ferns set for another huge year in 2023, Reddy hopes added attention to the community game will increase participation in New Zealand youth.