Community Rugby - Everyone Enjoying Rugby

Community Rugby covers all amateur forms of the game. If you’ve played, watched at your local club or school, or helped out in any way at any level except for the paid professionals, then that’s what we’re about.

One of our primary jobs at the North Harbour Rugby Union is to support and assist people in all parts of Community Rugby. We provide support wherever we possibly can – playing and coaching skills; refereeing; recruitment; administration; marketing; competitions… the list is long and varied.

There’s plenty for us to spread our efforts across and we’re keen to do just that. If what we do assists people in enjoying rugby, then great, we’ll help out in any way we can.

The Community Rugby Team is five people whose job is to support and serve that idea – everyone enjoying rugby. Our job is to support people actually in the amateur game, so we call ourselves Community Support Officers, CSO’s for short. We’re not particularly keen on telling everyone what and how to do this or that. Our role is to notice how the Union can help out, provide what’s needed and support its implementation.

It’s your game. Rugby is a game which many people are involved in and lead every day. The Community Rugby Team want you to enjoy your place in the game, be it feeding the troops on club days; managing a J4 team of youngsters or playing at any level up to the Air New Zealand Cup squad.

The CSO Team are in place to notice how the Union can assist people in the area to enjoy rugby, then providing what we can. The main skill sets they bring are listening and watching – observing. Because they are really passionate students of the game, and have been involved in all levels of Community Rugby themselves, they’ll notice things and offer to assist. It may be resources like materials – balls for the kids perhaps; gear which may assist; technical coaching advice; megastars of the game like Craig Dowd or Jeff Wilson to promote the game and train players. It may just be encouragement and understanding. The CSO’s know the game and how to support its success.

Mark Mayerhofler – Community Rugby Manager

Hi, Mark here. It’s awesome to be part of the new look Community Rugby Team at North Harbour Rugby where our aim is all about “Everyone Enjoying Rugby”.

My involvement with North Harbour started way back in 1990 as a 17 year old playing for Western United U19 (now Kumeu) and then Glenfield Premiers the following year. During that time I played reps at U19, Colts, Maori as well as North Harbour… although truth be told I spent more time polishing Walter Little and Frank Bunce’s boots than playing!

With the road well and truly blocked by the best midfield in the world I went south in search of more game time and what was supposed to be only a couple of seasons ended up being 7 memorable years playing for Canterbury. NPC, S12 and Ranfurly Shield wins was only a small part of the experience when you compare that to marriage, a baby, lifelong friends and memories.

After a brief stint in France (and another baby) we returned home to North Harbour for a couple of years before, at the ripe age of 30 we moved back overseas, this time to England. 6 months turned into 5 years playing for Newcastle and eventually loaded up with more lifelong friends and memories, a science degree, a body of sore bones and 2 kids craving for a kiwi lifestyle we decided it was time to come home.

It’s been great being back at North Harbour, reconnecting with family and friends and I really enjoyed my role as Rugby Performance Analyst for the first 2 years. During this time, being involved in rugby other than as a player has given me a real appreciation of the hard work that many people at all levels of the game put in, and as a parent, seeing the enjoyment my children get from participating in sport is priceless so I’m really excited about my new role as Community Rugby Manager and I look forward to seeing you all out in the community.
Cheers Mark.

DDI: (09) 447 2118
Mobile: 027 577 0277
Email: mark@harbourrugby.co.nz

Dean Watkins – Community Support Officer

Kia Ora, I joined North Harbour in 2008, previously I worked in the education sector as a primary school teacher and tutor at Sports Education New Zealand.

My role at North Harbour has seen me responsible for Primary/Intermediate school rugby across the region, Under 15/17 development groups, various coach development initiatives and education programs. Additionally I coached the North Harbour U14 side in 2008 & 2009. This opportunity has enabled me to utilize the skills and knowledge I gained from participating in the PORC (NZRU Level 2) and the Blues Advanced (IRB Level 3) coaching courses.

I was born and bred in the Manawatu where I attended Awatapu College. After finishing college I played premier club rugby and was fortunate to play for Manawatu in 1991, 1993, 1996. I’m currently a member of the North Shore Rugby Club and play socially for the Championship winning Senior Seconds.

Rugby has offered me the opportunity to travel the world. I spent 7 years playing and coaching in different countries such as Ireland, Scotland, Japan, Australia and South Africa. Upon returning from traveling I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a teacher and attended Auckland College of Education, graduating in 2002 with a Bachelor of Education (BEd). I currently live in Northcote with my wife Christina and our little boy Luther.

DDI: (09) 447 2112
Mobile: 021 831 587
Email: dean@harbourrugby.co.nz

Ray Garrett – Rugby & Referee Education

Greetings, my name is Ray Garrett, one of the new additions to the Community Rugby Team. After 13 years working as an individual in the rugby industry as a referee education advisor and currently a IRB Trainer specializing in the laws of the game it is great to now be part of a strong team of resource people who now can collectively enhance the knowledge of the game with coaches, players and referees.

I was born in Morrinsville and was brought up in Te Aroha and attended Te Aroha College (a swamp fox). I attended Otago University studying Physical Education and majored in Sports education and Exercise and Physiology. During this time I represented Varsity A in Rugby and Cricket.

On leaving Dunedin and attending Auckland teachers College I then went to Thames High School as Head of Physical Education. I was at Thames High School for 24 years.

My sporting interests whilst at Thames were representing Thames Valley at rugby and cricket including 3 years representing Northern Districts Colts. I also coached 1st XV rugby and 1st XI cricket, athletics and basketball.

During this time I was also a National Rugby Referee and became a director on the Thames Valley Rugby Union Board.
In 1997 I was employed by the NZRU as a Referee Development Officer and was responsible for looking after the referee development programme from Bay of Plenty to Northland. In 2001 I was employed by North Harbour Rugby and provided a service to Northland in Referee education.

It is great now to be a team member of this new initiative - North Harbour Rugby Community Rugby Team. I believe North Harbour Rugby now has the perfect model to ensure all rugby coaches and referees have a thorough understanding of the laws of the game which will provide the players an enhanced opportunity to play the game with greater accuracy and appreciation.

I look forward to the additional opportunity to establish a closer working relationship with the respective rugby clubs in ensuring our key volunteers – rugby coaches and referees – continue to build the positive relationships that already exist to ensure all parties are able to enjoy rugby as their chosen recreation. If you require any information on the laws of the game or its interpretation then give me a call.

As always if you know of any person who you feel could contribute to the game in a positive way and has the skill set to become a referee – please contact me direct or ring 0800 REFEREE (7333733).

Have a great year I look forward to working with you.

DDI: (09) 447 2111
Mobile: 027 571 5583
Email: ray@harbourrugby.co.nz