Former top referee lands Tasman CEO role

Former NZ Referees Association boss Lyndon Bray is the new chief executive officer of the Tasman Rugby Union.

Fifty-four-year-old Bray replaces Tony Lewis, who resigned just before Christmas to take up the position as CEO of the Western Force union, based in Perth, Australia.

Bray has enjoyed a varied professional career, which has traversed both the corporate and sporting worlds over the last 30 years.

From 2001 to 2008 he was one of the country’s leading rugby referees, taking the whistle in seven internationals.

He then moved into sports management, becoming the NZRU’s high performance referee manager for three years.

In 2011 he took up the role of Game Manager with Sanzaar where he has remained ever since.

TRU Board chairman, Wayne Young, notes

“Lyndon is a passionate rugby person and is a well-known senior executive with Sanzaar and very accomplished ex

-I

nternational rugby referee. Most importantly Lyndon brings a proven track record of success as a leader both in rugby and corporate circles”.

Lyndon will be relocating to Tasman and is very much looking forward to integrating into the community. His immediate objectives will include engagement with the TRU staff and directors; commercial sponsors and community clubs so that he can gain a first hand insight into the requirements of all stakeholders.

“The appointment of Lyndon brings a great balance between passion for rugby and a proven skillset and track record at the executive leadership level. The Board are excited at the prospect of Lyndon leading the TRU”, said Wayne.

Lyndon added, 'I am especially excited and humbled to be given this incredible opportunity to join one of NZ's premier Provincial Unions and to be given the responsibility to help make a difference in the next era of Tasman Rugby. Tony Lewis has left us all a very well-oiled ship and I am indebted to him for that. This is a very special new journey for me and I look forward to the challenge.”

Lewis was in charge of Tasman rugby since 2013, leading the nation’s newest union to back-to-back Mitre 10 Cup premiership titles as well as successfully hosting an All Blacks’ test match in Nelson for the first time.