The Hunter Junior Rugby League Association (JRLA) is pleased to announce its independent Chairperson and directors for its inaugural board following a unanimous vote last year by the Newcastle JRLA and Maitland and District JRLA to form one governing body for the region.
It was determined the committee structure would consist of two board members each from the Newcastle JRLA and Maitland and District JRLA to ensure a smooth transition, who would then vote on the independent Chairperson and directors following expressions of interest.
The newly appointed board members include:
Chairperson – Tony Goldman
With a background in Rugby League spanning over 50 years as a player, team official and referee, along with numerous administration roles within the game, Tony brings a lifetime of knowledge and experience working in the game at the grassroots level. He has previously held board positions as Group 21 Chairman, Northern Division Chairman, Hunter Valley JRLA Chairman and has served on the Country Rugby League Board.
Independent Director - Rob Dixon
Joins the Hunter JRLA board with a history in the game spanning 25 years, including numerous administrative roles. Rob is a current company director and business owner who specialises in risk mitigation, financial and corporate governance, marketing, sales and promotion. These professional attributes, acquired through roles as a successful Chief Operating Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director and statutory officer over the last 20 years, provide a vital commercial skillset to the board.
Independent Director – Helen Wright
Currently working and specialising in Team Management and Education of Digital Services in Sport for the NRL, Helen brings a wealth of experience from a lifetime of various administration and support roles across all levels of the game. Helen has served previously at board level for Blacktown City Rugby League Club and is a current committee member of the NSWRL Diaspora and Heritage RL. In 2011, Helen received the Women In League Professional Achievement Award. Her knowledge and vast experience at all levels of Rugby League administration and volunteer support across different geographical regions will be incredibly valuable to the Hunter JRLA.
The full board of the Hunter JRLA include Tony Goldman (Chairperson), Rob Dixon, Helen Wright, Jody Watsford (Newcastle Director), Michael Porter (Newcastle Director), Peter Martin (Maitland & District Director) and Rebecca Fullick (Maitland & District Director).
The Hunter JRLA falls in line with the NSWRL’s One State Strategic Plan, which created six new zones across the state to streamline governance and administration, further improve participation and competition opportunities, and local rules consistency and competition structures, and lower costs.
The Hunter Junior Rugby League Association, which will comprise 22 clubs from Newcastle JRLA and 10 clubs from Maitland and District JRLA, has also been backed by the NRL’s Newcastle Knights as it creates a clearer alignment between local competitions and elite pathways.
The move will make the Hunter JRLA the state’s second-largest catchment area behind Penrith, with a combined 6,656 participants (Newcastle JRLA 4,340 and Maitland and District JRLA 2,316) which could assist with resources, funding and sponsorship for the region.
It will only include Under 6s to Under 18s competitions with senior competitions to remain the same.
