Tasman rugby chair steps aside

PETER JONES

peter@topsouthmedia.co.nz

The Tasman Rugby Union will need a new board chair after the resignation last week of Scott Ford, who has held the position since February 2022.

Scott resigned from his roles as both chair and independent director of the board, effective immediately.

The Christchurch-based company manager said there were “a couple of reasons” for his departure after seven years on the board.

“I pretty much went onto the Tasman board when I was living in Nelson and as soon as I finished playing rugby over there,” he said. “Then I subsequently moved to Christchurch.

“I stepped into the chair’s role because it was felt as being the best thing for the union for me to take over the role at that time.

“I only planned to do it for a certain amount of time because it is a bit hard being remote … this was probably going to be my last year [on the board] anyway. I was keen to set it up so I could hand it over in a good state.”

However, a recent difference of opinion with fellow board members saw Scott make the decision to step aside now, rather than later.

“I put a motion to a resolution through with strong recommendations from Tasman ops with real good rationale why they needed it a certain way – backed up by the high-performance team and backed up by the commercial team - and the board largely didn’t support it.

“So I basically said I am going to leave now because I don’t want to be a part of driving a wedge between governance and operations. Simple as that really.

“I am a man of principle and I couldn’t stand up and look in the mirror knowing I had stayed at the helm and let that potential wedge get driven.

“In my day job I run a big contracting operation and I never undermine my operations by going against them by saying I know best, as the manager, so I am not going to do the same in governance.”

Scott was reluctant to provide more details on the actual sticking point, not wanting to exacer- bate the situation.

He described his seven-year stretch with Tasman rugby as “bloody great”.

“There is no doubt that we had a bit of a fairytale story for a few years and boxed well above our weight on the high-performance side of things.

“I guess we always want to do better in the community space and we haven’t always got it right … it is hard to satisfy everyone, but we have got some really good plans and strategy going forward. It is about getting a good balance between the high performance and community spaces. You don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater.”

Tasman rugby CEO Lyndon Bray announced Ford’s resignation in a letter to stakeholders on Tuesday, adding, “I wish to reflect on the fact that Scott … has been with the TRU Board for over seven years as a director and has provided a sterling service to the region of Tasman.

“Scott has also fulfilled the role of director on the Crusaders’ board, as the Provincial Union Stakeholders’ elected director. He will continue to focus on that role on our behalf.

“The Board wishes to thank Scott for the incredible commitment he has given to Tasman Rugby, and as the CEO I personally would like to thank Scott for his support and guidance during 2022.”

Scott, originally from Marlborough, is the son of former All Blacks winger and Red Devils Ranfurly Shield-winning hero Brian Ford.

Lyndon said the board would likely announce an interim chair, while the appointment process is worked through for a replacement independent director.

The TRU Annual General Meeting is expected to be held towards the end of April.

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