New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew says he will call it a day at the end of 2019 following 25 years in rugby administration.
New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew is leaving his position at the end of the year after 12 years in charge of New Zealand’s national game.
“After much reflection I’ve decided that this is the best time for me to make way for someone else to lead New Zealand Rugby into the future and a new phase for our national game,” Tew said in a statement Wednesday.
“There are new and exciting changes coming as a result of the upcoming new international calendar; a changing broadcast environment as well as a new All Blacks head coach to be appointed, so it’s the right time for me.”
Tew has spent 25 years in rugby administration, as chief executive of the Canterbury Rugby Union and Christchurch-based Crusaders Super Rugby franchise before joining New Zealand Rugby in 2001.
He succeeded Chris Moller as chief executive of the national body in 2007.
New Zealand won the Rugby World Cup twice during his tenure, in New Zealand in 2011 and in Britain in 2015.
But he leaves at a challenging time for rugby in New Zealand with a new broadcast deal to be struck in a fast-changing broadcast landscape and with male participation falling, although female participation is rising.
Tew said he was looking forward to new challenges but still hopes to contribute to rugby in some way.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep, sadly Steve will be missed as he has continued the trend of what is rugby in Aotearoa. Over the years we have been so lucky to have some in the top job doing what the people expect. After all rugby, in NZ, belongs to the people, as many know. Over the years, we have seen how well the Provincial Unions, have worked in with the ruling body, with a minimal few hiccups along the way. But all in all, its' been very successful, but now with professional rugby set in, we do acknowledge, that there still is the annual players & coach drain to off shore nations. With luck, Steve's incoming CEO, will be every bit as good.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Apparently so, the Black Ferns won the 2010 and 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Ben
Guest
4 world cups???? Did i miss one?
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Thank you Steve, for a quarter century of service. You took a successful set up and improved it beyond measure, taking away 4 world cups (and hopefully 5 by the time you step down). You really have embodied the AB ethos of ‘leaving the jersey on a better place’. That AB mantra is based on legacy, and you certainly leave one.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Now let's compare what he inherited compared to Pulver and the recent SA administrators. Compare how the provincial unions in NZ have been run compared to the VRU, QRU, WARU and NSWRU. Agree on the comments regarding resisting pressure to sack Henry. That was an astute call that set them up for success. But the ability to keep players at home, maximise revenue without compromising player welfare, etc. that is helped by the state the organisation was in when he jumped in the hot seat. The ARU were almost insolvent when Pulver stepped in. The 2013 Lions Tour basically covered the losses up to 2015 that were locked in place.
freddieeffer
Roar Rookie
Steve Tew, please come to Australia and sort our rugby malaise and governance mess out!
awa
Roar Rookie
My biggest fear on hearing this, would be reading that Raelene Castle is stepping down about the same time and returning to NZ.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
The bloke has done a fantastic job to keep the vast majority of our top players at home, sticking to his guns on the overseas selection policy and maximising revenue without compromising player welfare. He also resisted all the pressure to sack Henry in 2007 and look how we’ve thrived since. Comparing him to the likes of Pulver and various South Africans he has been so stable and canny. He’s handing over a good ship.