Malcolm played for the Halswell Hornets club over a ten-year period which cumulated in two premiership wins in 1985 and 1988. Malcolm represented Canterbury U18’s and Victoria, Australia. In the early 2000’s he was also the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Canterbury Bulls.

Malcolm has over 20 years’ experience in sport leadership roles with peak bodies, government sporting agencies, franchises and clubs.

He has business experience where, more recently he has been delivering strategic planning and leadership services to regional, national and international sports organisations out of his own business Humm Consulting Ltd.

In his role as High Performance Director Malcolm led the NZ Paralympic high-performance programme to three Paralympic Games (Beijing, London and Rio).

Additional key leadership roles he has held have been Interim CEO at Paralympics New Zealand and GM Performance at Netball Mainland.

In conjunction with Malcolm’s work and rugby league experience he has a Bachelor of Physical Education (BPhEd) degree from University of Otago and in 2016 completed his Master of Business Administration (MBA) through University of Canterbury.

Rochelle MacPherson - Executive Assistant & Office Manager

Rochelle has worked for Canterbury Rugby League for over 30 years. Her role includes but is not limited to the finances, funding, player transfers, event planning, supporting the CEO, graphic design and the NZRL online registration program Sporty.

She is driven by the passion and dedication of the rugby league community, and she feels thankful our sport has so many great volunteers from club to through to representative levels.

She feels lucky to have seen so many players and officials achieve their dreams, coming through the grades to shine at the highest level. The very best thing though, is seeing our Tamariki with big smiles on their faces when they play our great game.

Georgia Woollett - Competition & Operations Manager

Bio to come

Jamie Lester - Director of Football

Jamie will be known to many of the Canterbury Rugby League fraternity through his playing and coaching days in Canterbury as well has carrying out a previous role with Canterbury Rugby League as Coaching and Development Manager in 2006 and 2007.

Jamie comes to Canterbury Rugby League with a significant breadth of Rugby League knowledge and experience. Having played for the Hornby Panthers and Riccarton Knights whilst also being a club committee member with Riccarton, Jamie went on to play representative rugby league for Canterbury and South Island teams between 2002 and 2007.

In 2008 Jamie moved to the UK where he played rugby league for the Hunslet Hawks (South Leeds) in the English Championship. In moving to Canada in 2010 Jamie was instrumental in rejuvenating rugby league after a 10-year hiatus. In doing so Jamie carried out roles of President of Ontario Rugby League, High-Performance Director with Canada Rugby League, and was Head Coach of the Canada Wolverines National Men’s team from 2010 – 2016. Jamie also played 13 tests for Canada and significantly contributed as an administrator, coach, and player in lifting Canada from 30th to 12th in RLIF rankings between 2010–2016.

Jamie returned to New Zealand in 2018 where he undertook the role of Head Coach at the Riccarton Knights and became Assistant Coach for the Canterbury Bulls in 2019 and 2020.

More recently Jamie has been a Canterbury Rugby League board member. Alongside Jamie’s wealth of Rugby League knowledge, he is a qualified and experienced secondary school teacher where he has taught at St Thomas’s of Canterbury, Cashmere High School as well as teaching in Canada.

Key areas of responsibility for Jamie are game and coach development, club capability and overseeing representative programmes.

Will Evans - Media Liaison Officer

Will is freelance sports journalist and editor, specialising in rugby league, and has provided media coverage and communications services for Canterbury Rugby League since 2015 after returning to New Zealand from a six-year stint in Brisbane. He has had four rugby league books published, while his other roles include writing for Australian magazines Big League and Rugby League Review magazines, and running the This Warriors Life website. Will enjoys covering the game at a grassroots level for Canterbury Rugby League, as well as telling the stories of the clubs, players, officials and volunteers – past and present – who deserve recognition.

Board of Directors

Dr Phillip Borell - Chairperson

Phil is a career academic as well as being a father, husband, rugby league trainer, gym owner and aspiring DIY aficionado.

Phil has been a lecturer at the University of Canterbury since 2008 and has designed and delivered courses in Māori and Indigenous Studies and the Bachelor of Sport Coaching. His primary research focus is dedicated to the aspirations of Māori and Pasifika youth in their quest for professional sporting careers with a focus in rugby league.

As a former rugby league player, and lifetime fan of the sport Phil recognises the need for support and pathways within the sport and is excited at the prospect of being a part of the CRL Board.

Wally Wilson QSM - Vice-Chairperson

Wally started playing rugby league as a ten year old for Linwood in 1962 and played through all the age groups making Canterbury Representative teams throughout the grades.

In 1969 he captained the Under 17s Canterbury and Southern Zone teams and went on to be selected for the Under 17s Kiwi team. In 1971 he had his first season for the Linwood Premiers and played over 400 games for the Keas over 15 seasons. He then hung up his boots and retired from playing and started coaching.

He played his first game for the Canterbury Rugby League senior representative team in 1972 and was the captain for many years. Over his 45 plus games for the province he was very fortunate to be coached by Cary Clark in 1975 when they won the N.P.C and Rothmans Cup beating Auckland at Carlaw Park. He played in the Australian Amco Cup Competition in 1976 when Canterbury was invited, and then later with the South Island side when they won the district Championship.

Wally was also selected in the Kiwi team under coach Ces Mountford in the 1981 test series win over France that was played in New Zealand.

A selector for the Canterbury team which was coached by Frank Endacott in the early 1990’s. He then took over the coaching role when Frank joined the Warriors in 1994 and went on to win the N.P.C Championship Final over Auckland.

He was a board member of the CRL Junior Board and then the Senior Board of Control in the mid to late 90’s.

Outside of rugby league he has held many positions on boards such as Chairman of Canterbury Surf Life Saving , Board Member of N.Z Surf Life Saving, and Chairman of the Board at South Brighton School. Wally still has a lot to give to the game which has been a major part of his life and he is very proud to have received a Queens Service Medal for services to Rugby League and Surf Life Saving in 2011.

This was not only an award for him but to his family whom have been such a great support team over many years.

Janelle Riki-Waaka - Director

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.

Daisy Lavea-Timo - Director

Daisy played for the Canterbury Women’s and local club teams and is a keen advocate and mentor for women and rangatahi.

Graduating from the University of Canterbury with a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in 2018, Daisy’s professional background works across the NGO, business, government, education and community sectors as well as being a consultant.

She holds several management and director roles and as the 2017 NZ Slam Poetry Champion, she went on to perform 2 poems at TEDx Christchurch 2018. One about getting her traditional Samoan “Malu” tattoo and the other poem “WHAKAMANA”, is an anthem to the fierce wāhine in her Rugby League Team.

Jason Robb - Director

Jason is a seasoned business professional and accomplished senior representative rugby league player with extensive experience both in New Zealand and internationally. His journey in rugby league has seen him achieve notable successes, including winning Premiership and Lion Red Cup titles. Additionally, he has contributed to the development of rugby league talent as a coach for Canterbury and South Island age groups, showcasing his strong leadership and coaching abilities.

In his professional career, he has leveraged his formal training as a Rugby League Coach alongside over 25 years of management and sales expertise. He is recognised as a proven new business generator, consistently driving growth and innovation. His leadership style is characterised by its challenge and effectiveness, underpinned by strategic planning and adept team management skills. He prides himself on building strong customer rapport, tailoring communication to meet client needs, and nurturing lasting relationships.

His strengths lie in strategic planning and a commitment to delivering exceptional service to both clients and staff. With a diverse product experience and leadership qualities honed through years of experience, he is well-equipped to excel in various industries and looks forward to being part of moving the game forward on the Canterbury Rugby League Board.

Mel Tukapua - Director

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.

Jodie Tait - Director

Jodie has had a lifelong passion for Rugby League which began as a schoolboy, playing for the Papanui Tigers, where he developed his skills and made a connection with the game. His commitment to rugby league continues to grow, coaching and managing junior grades for the Halswell Hornets, and pulling the Tiger jersey back on to play Presidents grade and more recently, Masters grade.

Jodie’s leadership as a coach and mentor to the next generation of Rugby League talent has been instrumental in shaping young players and fostering a love for the game in the community.

In addition to his contributions to Rugby League, Jodie is the General Manager for a reputable local business, where he combines his strategic acumen with his ability to lead and inspire teams. A proud father of two, he enjoys balancing his professional achievements and coaching responsibilities with his role as a dedicated parent.

Jodie would love to see the return and addition of more clubs to premier status by ensuring the juniors coming through have the right support and pathways to increase the growth, player pool, and sustainability of Rugby League in Canterbury,