New boss for Auckland

Former All Black and Auckland representative, Lawrie Knight has been elcted as the new President of the Auckland Rugby Union.

At Auckland Rugby’s AGM this week, former All Black and Auckland representative Don McKay stepped down from the role after his three-year tenure and Dr Knight was appointed with the unanimous support of the Board of Directors.

Dr Knight hails from a strong rugby family. His father Laurence and uncle Arthur were both All Blacks and Auckland Rugby representatives.

Also at the AGM, two new directors were elected following the retirement of two current board members – Greg Kasper (first appointed in 2001) and Greg Muir (first appointed in 2000).

The new directors are Nicky Duggan and Mike Donovan. Ms Duggan is the first woman elected to the ARFU Board of Directors and is currently the national Sales & Marketing Manager for The Laminex Group.

Mr Donovan, a former Waikato representative, was the President of the Grammar Carlton RFC and Senior Delegate who has served on ARFU’s Adult Rugby and Standards sub-committees.

A new Chairman was also elected at the AGM, board member and former Test match referee Glenn Wahlstrom will take the helm, replacing Ken Baguley.

Mr Baguley has been a long-time servant of Auckland Rugby. A board member for 11 years, 10 of those as chairman, and he will continue his involvement on the board as a director. Mr Wahlstrom joined the ARFU board in 2003 following a successful international refereeing career.

He joined Auckland Rugby’s Referees’ Association in 1977 followed by 26 years of active service. His refereeing career included 127 first-class games and six Test matches and was appointed to the NZRU Referee selection panel in 2005, becoming Chairman of that panel in 2006.