SIMON DOIG TAKES ON CRL BOARD CHAIRPERSON ROLE
At the Canterbury Rugby League Board meeting on Monday, July 30, Chairperson Llew Timpson opted to step down from the role, which he has held since February 2017.
Simon Doig, who joined the CRL Board last year, was elected as the new Chairperson.
As someone who has been involved with the grassroots of the game all his life, Timpson’s contribution to rugby league in Canterbury has been immense. He will remain on the Board.
“With Shane Collins stepping down and a new CEO coming on board, my rationale was that also having a new Chairperson in place was the best way to create a fresh approach moving forward,” Timpson said.
“Being out in North Canterbury I was losing connection with those very important stakeholders closer to town. Having people who are centralised in Christchurch with strong business backgrounds and connections is, in my view, in the best interests of rugby league and supporting the new CEO coming in.
“Simon’s business acumen and background in sports is excellent and I fully endorse him as the new Board Chair.
“It’s a strong and effective Board and I’m happy to stay there and support the ongoing development of rugby league.”
Simon Doig is a senior executive, with 20 years’ experience in global and domestic markets, primarily working for New Zealand and Australian resource and property companies.
He has vast and varied board experience: he is a previous director of New Zealand Rugby League, Canterbury Rugby Union, Ronald McDonald House and various commercial boards.
“I’m very privileged and excited to come into the role, and the timing is very good with the impending announcement of the new CEO in coming weeks,” Doig said.
“There’s some great opportunities in front of Canterbury Rugby League with the development of Nga Puna Wai as the new home of rugby league.
“It’s ideal timing to be able to make some strong contributions to the game, and get out and meet our clubs, juniors and all of our stakeholders, and grow and develop the game. ”
Doig commended Timpson for his contribution to the CRL Board during his term as Chairperson.
“Llew’s commitment to leadership has been outstanding,” he said.
“He’s spent a huge amount of time, especially behind the scenes, putting a lot of important infrastructure in place, which has put the game in a really good place going forward.
“He should be thanked by the rugby league community and I’m sure the game will benefit from his ongoing input on the Board.”
