League: New NZRL chairman tackles issues with optimism

Scott Carter fended off suggestions he has taken the equivalent of a `hospital pass' by inheriting chairmanship of the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL), but the former policeman admits the game's rehabilitation is far from complete.

Carter will be a central figure in the coordination of that process after being unveiled as Ray Haffenden's successor on Sunday.

He at least had an insight into the task confronting him and a new board that is still to be fully constituted.

Carter, a former chairman of Eventing New Zealand, was elected to the NZRL's previous board last year - an appointment designed to drag the cash-strapped and mismanaged national body back from the brink of collapse.

Carter plus fellow directors Gary Fissenden, John Bishop and Michele Teague were confirmed on the board last weekend.

Haffenden, Gisborne District Council mayor Meng Foon and former Labour MP Mark Gosche have been nominated to fill the three remaining positions.

The new board is a by-product of last year's Sparc-driven independent review of the sport's governance and structure, a probe that demanded a radical overhaul of rugby league's administration.

Settling into his new role Carter, felt the game was already on the path to recovery.

"Did I take a hospital pass? Not at all," he said.

"There's no doubt there's a challenge but at the same time an awful lot of good work has already been done," he said, crediting his predecessor Haffenden.

The long-term league administrator from Canterbury is expected to be named vice-chairman once the board is complete.

"This board has the potential to bring some common sense business disciplines and structures to league - and at the same time make sure its grassroots and volunteer structure plays a part," Carter said.

Establishing a network of seven zones through out the country - where each region would have its own constitution and board, and be responsible for co-ordinating programmes, running competitions and securing sponsorship was among the priorities for Carter to oversee.

The selection of a chief executive is another key issue; an appointment committee is assessing a short list of seven from an original field of 79.

Forming a new national competition was another focus while under Sparc's funding arrangement, the NZRL must have a strategic plan in place by September 30.

"The zone boards will also be put together by that time, then we can focus on the long term," Carter said.

"A lot of work can be done to capitalise on the Kiwis World Cup success.

"We'd like to see a more consistent international calendar and more exposure for the Kiwis at home," he said.

Greater exposure for league in schools was another aim as the sport tried to regain a foothold.

The Sparc review, released in February, said registered playing numbers had fallen to fewer than 17,000, compared with up to 40,000 a decade ago.

Sparc provided $450,000 of transition funding to NZRL until the end of September, and Carter was confident the organisation would be financially sound by then.

"It's good we're in partnership with Sparc, that influences other funding partners," Carter said.

"I believe it's almost certain New Zealand Rugby League will be on a stronger financial footing but, equally, we'll be exceedingly careful with what we do with the money."

- NZPA