Rugby: Central manager to 'give back'

Brendon Webby

Central Bay of Plenty's new rugby manager looks forward to "giving something back to the game" in the role.

Brendon Webby will become the first holder of the position when he starts work on Monday.

And he is full of ideas for developing the sport.

"I see the role as all things rugby in Rotorua - helping the coach and player development, and making sure there are strong relationships and open lines of communication with clubs and schools," he said.

One major target is to increase the number of players from the city representing regional teams. He estimates the rate to be between 10-15 per cent, but hopes that can be improved over time.

Webby is originally from the Waikato but has lived in the Rotorua region for 16 years.

For the last 25 years he has worked in dairy farming while keeping up his involvement with rugby through a number of coaching roles.

Last year he coached the Bay of Plenty under-19s to eighth in the national tournament.

He has also coached the region's under-16s and at John Paul College.

These experiences left Webby with a skillset and a network of contacts that he believed had made him suitable for the new position.

"I have good existing relationships and a good knowledge of rugby, so when I saw the job advertised on the website, I thought I'd like to give it a go," he said.

"I thought I had something to offer."

Although he is yet to start work officially, Webby has not been idle since his appointment on February 2.

He has already engaged in consultation with key stakeholders to let them know his plans for Central Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.

As of Monday he will be based full-time at the Sport Bay of Plenty's Rotorua office on Amohia St.

The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union's rugby-operations manager, Neil Alton, was enthusiastic about Webby's appointment.

Alton said: "We believe Brendon will be a great asset to our team and for rugby in the central region. He has an abundance of skills and knowledge to get stuck in and do the job well.

"It is clearly highlighted through his previous contribution to the Central Bay of Plenty and coaching credentials with John Paul College and Bay of Plenty Under-19s that Brendon has a passion for the development and growth of rugby in the Bay of Plenty," Alton said.

He hoped Webby would prove to be a critical force in "implementing a strategic plan achieving a unified Bay of Plenty that achieves outstanding results and creates pride in our community," and fostering "regional and national opportunities" for players and coaches.

In a bid to further the development of union in the region, two separate rugby manager roles were created by Bay of Plenty Rugby Union, one for each of the Central and Eastern regions.

The position in the Eastern region has yet to be filled, and is still being advertised on the organisation's website.