Malone's goals for Northland

New Northland boss Robert Malone has no intention of forcing the team into tight little shorts and employing manic flag-waving umpires to stand behind the goalposts at the ITM Stadium.

But the new chief executive of the Northland Rugby Union is keen to use his experience as a former Australian Rules player and administrator to make some changes.

The union announced his appointment to a small and captive audience at the ITM Stadium after Northland played Manu Samoa a week ago, but only "released" information about Malone yesterday.

Malone, 36, was born in Perth and had AFL playing experience in both Perth and Melbourne for more than 10 seasons before progressing into management of state-based AFL clubs in 1998. He will replace Tim Hamilton on July 4.

But he has already immersed himself in all things rugby in preparation.

"I have been in New Zealand for a couple of years now and become a bit of a rugby union fan in the process. There are a number of things I have learned in eight years of AFL administration at a very similar sort of atmosphere that Northland rugby is operating that I think can be useful.

"In terms of broad-based participation numbers and registrations, I think the game at an amateur level in Northland is very healthy. But I also think there needs to be some work put in getting coaches and referees upskilled. I also think the Northland Rugby Union needs to interact with the community a little bit better, which is something I am keen to work on."

Since mid-2004, Malone has been in Auckland overseeing the development of the AFL code in New Zealand as chief executive of NZ AFL.

Northland union chairman Wayne Peters said he was impressed by Malone's experience and range of administrative skills and his background as a player and administrator in a major code would be useful.

"We had 15 or 20 applicants that were shortlisted to the last three and any one of those three could have been chief executive. I have no doubt that he has got enough drive in him to take us where I want us to get to," Peters said.

The appointment is for three years, with Malone contracted until the next scheduled national competitions review due in 2008.

* Manawatu's preparations for their premier rugby division campaign are in turmoil after coach Charlie McAlister quit.

The Manawatu Evening Standard reported yesterday that McAlister resigned after a week of tense meetings with the province's board.

Manawatu's first match is in seven weeks. Until a new coach is found, the team will be led by assistant coach Bruce Hemara.

It was reported that the players had conveyed a range of concerns to the union regarding the team's direction.

- additional reporting NZPA