Hail to the chief

RUGBY BOSS PACKS DOWN WITH BOND SPORT

by Andrew Hamilton

Michael Collins joined Bond University as the new Director of Sport in August at the completion of the Super Rugby season. The former Chiefs CEO immediately became part of the furniture at Bull Sharks rugby and AFL games and is revelling in the fellowship the University’s sporting clubs generate.

“It is quite refreshing, the sense of community you get from club sport. You just can’t buy that and you can’t get it anywhere else,’’ he says.

Collins believes Bond’s sports clubs have an important function to provide engagement opportunities for students and he will also use his vast experience in professional sports to expand the Bull Sharks’ charter to develop elite athletes.

“I think the pathway that we can provide to state and national teams is very exciting,” he says. “And so for me to be part of the journey with these athletes, helping them with their tertiary qualifications and also with their sports careers, is exciting.”

Mr Collins was born in New Plymouth in rural New Zealand and has been involved in rugby for his entire life. He was a New Zealand A side, Colts and Barbarians representative and played professionally for the Chiefs in Super Rugby. He finished his playing career in the UK with stints at premier rugby club London Irish and the Glasgow Warriors, before embarking on a successful career in sports administration with stints as CEO at Taranaki Rugby Union and the Chiefs.

“I’ve been in love with rugby union for as long as I can remember. Before the game was professional people used to say, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ I would always answer, ‘I want to be a rugby player’. I represented every New Zealand side except for the All Blacks - that’s the after-dinner speech I usually give people. I was really lucky to play with some great players and I had a great time, travelled the world and made some great mates.’’

Main: Bond Director of Sport Michael Collins.