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.
To give us the best chance of providing support to Community Rugby, the CSO Team is organised into Regions. Within each Region, the CSO will support all school and club rugby – here’s the list:
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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 (U21), 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’ve really enjoyed my role as Rugby Performance
Analyst for the last 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 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
Cory Sweeney – Community Support Officer
I joined the Community Rugby Team at North Harbour in 2007 after returning from overseas. Since being at North Harbour I have worked in a number of areas but mainly with Primary/Intermediate school, junior rugby, coach education and representative selections while also facilitating the U15 and U17 development squads.
During my time I have gained my NZRU Level 2 coaching qualification and am currently working towards my Blues Advanced Coaching Course IRB Level 3. I have also enjoyed working with academy players and several seasons with the U14 representative team and successful North Harbour Maori senior side who won the 2009 Northern Region competition.
Previous to North Harbour rugby I spent my school years at Rotorua Boys High School and was part of a very successful rugby environment before graduating from Waikato University with a Bachelor of Leisure Studies, Unitech Certificate in Sport and Leisure and a Bachelor of Teaching. Since graduating in 2001 I spent the next 6 years travelling through Japan and the UK teaching, playing and coaching rugby.
I have played 12 seasons of premier rugby in various provinces and countries including Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Japan, and England and currently I’m a member of the North Shore Rugby Club. I have spent the past 3 seasons there, winning a championship with the senior 1st side in 2008 and finishing 5th with the premier side in 2009. I also enjoy playing tag, touch and 7s in the summer months and completed my first marathon in 2009.
DDI: (09) 447 2114
Mobile: 021 772 630
Email: cory@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
Gary Dixon – Community Support Officer
I am the newest member of the community support team having taken this position over from Lewis McClintock from the 1st August 2010.
Originally from Palmerston North I was educated at Fielding High School and have represented the Manawatu region at U19 U21 Colts Manawatu Development and Manawatu NPC levels before joining the New Zealand Police in 1994.
I arrived in the North Harbour region in 1999 and was involved with the Mahurangi Rugby Club both as a player and a coach. I left the Police in 2002 to pursue a career coaching rugby where I have obtained my NZRU level 2 coaching qualification and I’m currently completing my level 3 qualification this year. I was also involved with coaching at the Takapuna Rugby club from 2007 to 2009. In 2008 I managed the North Harbour U20 Representative team. This year I returned to the Mahurangi Rugby Club as the Assistant Premier Coach.
For the past two years I have been studying for a Diploma in Business and Sport Management through Massey University which has led me to my current involvement with North Harbour Rugby. I am looking forward to builder closer working relationships with the North Harbour rugby community from players, volunteers, administrators through to Primary, Intermediate and Secondary Schools.
DDI: (09) 447 2109
Mobile: 021 886 310
Email: csoadmin@harbourrugby.co.nz
Ray Garrett – Community Support Officer and Referee Educator
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