Introducing the Marist St Pats Management Board

It takes a lot to run a rugby club, especially on that prides itself as being one of the most successful in New Zealand. Every week during the winter season we have hundreds of players, coaches, managers and volunteers out on the rugby fields of Wellington and rightfully a lot of our focus turns to the rugby itself.

Running is rugby club is more than just the games, it's about building a community. Behind the scenes, a dedicated group of volunteers form our Management Board to ensure the club is equipped with the social, logistical and financial means to be a successful and enjoyable club community. Let's introduce the 2021 Marist St Pats Management Board.

Left to right: Ken Ah Kuoi, Mike Hansen, Kate Clapperton, Murray Tocker, Bevan Brocklehurst, Steve McGill, Mike Renouf, Rob Evans, Lourdaiz Ah Chong, Melissa Moroney.

Rob Evans - Chairman

Rob has been our Chairman since 2019 (and had an earlier stint in 2013-14) and comes from one of the great Marist St Pats families; his father Ron Evans was the club's first chairman in 1971. Rob has held various management and coaching roles at the club since joining the Colts in 1987. 'I loved what the club did for me as a teenager straight out of school and wanted to give back to future players the enjoyment it brought to me. I have made friends for life from that period.'

Rob's role as Chairman holds overall responsibility for the performance of the club supported by an amazing group of energetic volunteers who work in the background in areas of finance, rugby operations, social events, asset management, communications and of course look after our fabulous sponsors.

Ken Ah Kuoi - President

Ken has been involved at Marist St Pats since 1988 as both a player and administrator. He established the Senior 3 'Avele' side and has held management roles including a stint as club secretary from 2006-07. 'I joined the Board because I know I have some skills that I can offer to help make a difference for better and hopefully make our MSP family a culturally safe and welcoming environment.'

'Being a President of Samoa heritage is something unique and appropriate for MSP family as many of our players and managements are of Samoan heritage and culture. It is also more unique that I am the House Chair that makes me more hands on in the operation of the Club. I am also making history as the first President of Samoan heritage that has a 3 year term!'

Mike Renouf - Club Captain

Mike has been involved at Marist St Pats as a player from 1992-1999 and 2002-2006. After a stint overseas he has enjoyed a return to the club over the past few of years. 'I basically answered an SOS from Rob and became Club Captain for the 2020 season and will continue in that role this season.'

Mike's role as Club Captain contributes to the club by being the critical link between the players, coaches and rugby sub committee.

Lourdaiz Ah Chong - Treasurer

Lourdaiz is new to Marist St Pats having moved to Wellington in June 2021. He wanted to get involved with Marist St Pats due to the strong Catholic connection having attended Sacred Heart College, Auckland. He is highly motivated to make a positive contribution.

'My role as Treasurer means I am the main person responsible for managing the finances of Marist St Pats RFC. This includes reporting regularly to the board on the club's financial status, financial planning (including producing an annual budget and monitoring it throughout the year), ensuring that funds are spent properly and bills are paid, keeping up-to-date records of all the financial transactions and arranging for the statement of accounts to be audited/independently examined then presenting an end-of-year financial report to the AGM and submitting this to the WRFU.'

Kate Clapperton - Secretary

Kate enters her fourth year as a member of Marist St Pats. 'I originally joined the club as the manager of the Under 85 Reds, as my partner Calum plays for them. Last year I volunteered my help to the wider club by joining the house committee as clubrooms coordinator.'

'My desire to contribute to the club is driven by the incredible culture Marist St Pats has created. I wanted to be a part of making other member's experiences with the club as good as my own, which is why I was honoured to be nominated as secretary for the board. In this role I manage the administrative tasks for the board, such as meeting agendas and minutes, database management, and maintaining club correspondence.'

Bevan Brocklehurst - Junior Club Convenor

Bevan is a former player and currently a parent, coach and junior convenor. 'I want to contribute to the club to create and sustain an inclusive supportive culture for club members.'

'The junior grades provide many children with their first taste of the game and what it means to be part of a rugby club. My intent is to make this experience as fun and positive as possible to ensure we safeguard the future of the club.'

Murray Tocker - WRFU Delegate

As a Life Member, Murray needs little introduction. Murray played 230 Premier games across his time with Marist St Pats, Hutt Marist and Napier Marist. He won five Jubilee Cups in 11 seasons as a player at Marist St Pats and another three as a coach. Murray also served as President of the Wellington Rugby Football Union in 2016. Murray is currently the Marist St Pats delegate to the WRFU which involves attending WRFU meetings and putting forward MSP's ideas and concerns.

He is also on the WRFU Rugby Sub Committee which looks at Club competitions and rules. 'I want to see Marist St Pats be the best rugby club in Wellington, from Saturday morning Junior Rugby to Premiers. We need to build a strong relationship with St Pats Town and develop a Academy pathway for young players wanting to join our club.'

Mike Hansen - Board Member and Sponsorship Lead

Mike joined Marist St Pats in 1981 from St Pat Town and has played 33 seasons for the club up to 2020. 'During that time I've met a lot of great people and had a lot of great times so for the age old reason I felt it was time to give back. I have been on the Committee for five years, three as Chairman. I really want to help the club to continue to provide the opportunities and experiences that I enjoyed, which are a lot more than rugby and unique to MSP.'

Mike manages sponsorships which are a very important revenue source for the club and also strengthens the connections and value of being part of the wider MSP network. So please support all our sponsors!

Melissa Moroney - Board Member

Mel has been involved with the Club since 2012. Originally working behind the bar, she is a "jack of all trades" having been instrumental in managing Club finances, bar staff and social events over the past few years, and sitting on the Management Board since 2019.

Mel plays in the Marist St Pats netball team who are about to enter their second season. 'I'm proud to be involved with Marist St Pats and to be able to add to the legacy that Marist St Pats and club rugby contribute to the Wellington community.' Mel is a member of the Finance and House Committees and plays a part in ensuring Marist St Pats continues to prosper and remains financially sustainable.

Steve McGill - Board Member

Steve has been a Marist St Pats player and member since 1995, having grown up in a committed Marist family in the Waikato. 'After playing mostly Prem 2s, with some very average appearances for the Prem 1s, I have also coached and managed at Colts and Premier 2 level at MSP. With kids playing for MSP, then St Patrick's College, I have coached them through the years, now finding time to support MSP in different ways through the Management Board.

In his second year on the Board, Steve is also a member of the Rugby Committee and the Finance Committee. 'Trying to bring both rugby and professional experiences to these roles, I'm hoping to support MSP to be resilient and strong in a complex operating and rugby environment. I'm a firm believer that MSP exists to support the wellbeing of our families and communities, with sport a key vehicle for achieving that.'

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