Northland Rugby Union has new chief

The Northland Rugby Union has appointed former rugby development manager Jeremy Parkinson as its new Chief Executive Officer to replace the outgoing Jim Smillie.
Parkinson feels he has already formed a strong Northland connection and is thrilled with getting the opportunity to re-establish himself with the rugby union.
"I'm definitely looking forward to it, it's a kind of homecoming for me because I was born in Whangarei and lived most of my early years in Kaitaia," he said.
He attended Kaitaia College and played senior rugby for the Kaitaia Rugby Club. He became the manager of the 2000 and 2001 Taniwha team under Bryce Woodward and worked for the Northland Rugby Union in 2002 as the Rugby Development Manager and Amateur Rugby Services Manager.
He left the NRU in 2003 to relocate to Auckland operating his own property valuation service. "I look forward to continuing the improvement that Northland rugby has seen in recent years and working with the current staff, board, sponsors, fans and all stake holders of the union who have been the main contributors for the resurgence of rugby in the province," he said.
He also managed the New Zealand Divisional XV in 2003 and 2004 and the successful New Zealand Under 21 Team to Argentina 2005 - again under Woodward - and since then has managed the New Zealand Heartland XV in 2006 and the Grammar Carlton Club senior team from 2007 to 2010.
Chairman Andrew Golightly said Parkinson had impressed as someone who could continue Northland's rise as a provincial union.
"His rugby knowledge and earlier experience in Northland as a Rugby Development Manager and team manager will be invaluable ... Jeremy is a person with a high level of communication and the ability to get on with people," Golightly said.
He also praised retiring CEO Jim Smillie for his work over the last two years. "His time management and strong accounting background have played a significant part in changing the fortune of our union," he said.
Parkinson begins in January.