Anei au, tētahi uri nō Tainui waka e mihi ana ki a koutou katoa. Janelle is an avid rugby league fan and long time supporter of Canterbury Rugby League. She has managed various teams for CRL during her son’s playing career here in Canterbury and has been a manager for Canterbury Māori Rugby League also. Janelle aspires to grow rugby league here in Canterbury and seek to ensure our young players have pathways into professional careers that provide the support and guidance they require to be successful.

Janelle is a trained teacher by trade and has been an education consultant for 10 years, specialising in supporting organisations to strengthen their cultural capabilities and uphold their responsibilities to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. A fluent speaker of Te Reo Māori and an advocate for culturally responsive ways of working, Janelle will support the board to ensue we are meeting the cultural needs of all of our players. Janelle has several positions on other boards over many years and has a wealth of expertise and experience in governance.

With a long association with the Hornby Rugby League club, Janelle looks forward to our sport continuing to flourish and grow and she is honoured to be part of the CRL Board. Ngā mihi nui.

With a lifelong connection to rugby league and a strong family legacy in the game, he brings both deep personal commitment and practical governance experience to the role.

Rugby league has been central to Jodie’s life from an early age. His parents are life members of the Papanui Tigers, and his uncle represented New Zealand as a Kiwi while also playing for the club, establishing a strong family tradition within the game. Jodie followed in these footsteps, playing as a junior, Presidents, and Masters player for the Papanui Tigers.

His involvement in the game has continued well beyond his playing days. He has spent the past eight years coaching junior rugby league with the Halswell Hornets, giving him a strong understanding of the challenges, opportunities, and day-to-day realities faced by clubs. This hands-on experience at both grassroots and community level informs his commitment to supporting sustainable growth across the region.

Jodie is passionate about the long-term success and sustainability of rugby league in Canterbury. This focus led him to join the Board, with a clear goal of helping create strong development pathways so future generations can thrive in the sport. He is committed to strengthening the connection between the Board and clubs, ensuring that club voices are heard and reflected in decision-making.

Alongside his governance work, Jodie brings valuable commercial expertise through his professional experience in sponsorships and partnerships. He also holds the Commercial Partnerships portfolio for Canterbury Rugby League, where he contributes to building and maintaining strong relationships with sponsors and stakeholders to support the growth of the game.

Through his leadership, dedication, and lifelong passion for rugby league, Jodie is focused on helping build a strong, inclusive, and sustainable future for the sport, where clubs and communities continue to thrive both on and off the field.

Mel boasts a rich history as a distinguished sports administrator and highly accomplished manager within the realm of rugby league. Her extensive tenure spans across New Zealand and various national and regional platforms, punctuated by a series of remarkable achievements. Noteworthy among these accomplishments includes guiding numerous teams to prestigious tournaments and nurturing talent that has progressed to professional ranks.

She has effectively utilised her formal training in sports management along with more than ten years of hands-on experience in operations, event coordination, and strategic planning throughout her professional journey. Her management style is characterised by its meticulous organisation, attention to detail and unwavering commitment to providing comprehensive support to teams and players.

With a diverse background spanning national, regional, and age-group teams, she is well-equipped to excel in various rugby league management roles. Her leadership qualities, honed through years of experience, have been instrumental in nurturing talent and contributing to the growth and success of rugby league in New Zealand.

Lupe Asi brings a wealth of experience in community engagement, governance, and wellbeing to the Board. With a long-standing connection to rugby league and a professional background in social work, she offers a strong, culturally grounded perspective that supports both grassroots development and strategic direction.

Professionally, Lupe is a Registered Social Worker and Regional Practice Lead at Mapu Maia, where she provides clinical leadership and works across complex systems to advocate for positive wellbeing outcomes. Her work focuses on supporting individuals and whānau through programmes that prioritise participation, inclusion, and culturally responsive care. Through this role, she has built trusted relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including community organisations, health providers, government-supported services, and commercial partners.

Lupe’s connection to the game spans more than a decade with the Eastern Eagles. She has served as a Junior Manager, Premiers Manager, and Board member, giving her a comprehensive understanding of club operations and the realities faced by players, volunteers, and administrators. This hands-on experience, combined with her governance background, enables her to contribute to programmes that are both community-led and aligned with broader organisational objectives.

Having lived in Aranui for over 40 years, Lupe has a deep understanding of the communities rugby league serves, particularly within Pasifika and youth spaces where the game plays a vital role in connection and identity. She is passionate about strengthening sustainable player pathways and ensuring leadership reflects the diversity of its people.

Lupe is committed to acting as a bridge between governance and the grassroots, bringing insight, integrity, and a lifelong dedication to supporting the growth and wellbeing of the rugby league community.

With a lifelong passion for rugby league and a career spanning playing, officiating, governance, and high-performance development, Darren Littlewood brings extensive international experience and leadership to the Board.

His rugby league journey began in the UK, where he enjoyed a 25-year playing career from junior grades through to open age. He represented clubs including Driglington RLFC, Shawcross RLFC, Hunslet Warriors RLFC, and Dewsbury & District, as well as Yorkshire representative sides, and played semi-professionally with Hunslet Hawks RLFC. He also spent eight years playing rugby union in London before retiring from playing in 2015.

Alongside his playing career, he developed a strong officiating background, refereeing in the UK across junior and senior levels, including multiple finals at Super League venues. Since relocating to New Zealand in 2020, he has continued refereeing, becoming actively involved with Wellington Rugby League (WRL) and now contributing as a referee within Canterbury Rugby League (CRL) and school competitions. His experience has also seen him represent referees at board level, strengthening the connection between match officials and governance.

He has played a significant role in the growth and future of rugby league in the South Island, including as a founding member and Bid Manager/Head of Pathways, Relationships and Sponsorship for South Island NRL Limited. In this role, he leveraged international networks to support the South Island NRL bid, led engagement with key stakeholders, and contributed to the development of high-performance pathways and infrastructure planning. His work has included collaboration with clubs, international organisations, and Christchurch City Council, as well as involvement in designing a state-of-the-art training facility as part of the bid.

Currently, he continues to support the Christchurch-based NRL bid, helping build sustainable player pathways through partnerships with UK and Australian organisations, as well as local education providers, ensuring future athletes are supported both on and off the field.

Professionally, he is the Operations & Sales Director at BIM Seismic Services, where he leads major construction and engineering projects across New Zealand and has contributed to high-profile developments in the UK, including Heathrow Terminal 5, the London 2012 Olympic Park, and the Royal Albert Hall refurbishment.

His governance experience includes serving as an Independent Board Member for Wellington Rugby League, where he played a key role in organisational transformation, CEO appointment, and the development of a new strategic plan. He has also contributed at club level as a committee member for Kapiti Bears Rugby League Club, supporting grassroots growth, school competitions, and player development pathways.

Combining deep rugby league knowledge, governance expertise, and a strong commitment to community and player development, Darren is passionate about building sustainable pathways, strengthening connections across all levels of the game, and supporting the long-term success of rugby league in the South Island.