Rugby: Business executive becomes new CEO

Business executive Gary Dawson, who was born and bred in Tokoroa, is the new chief executive of the Waikato Rugby Union.

Dawson, whose wife, Cheryl, is the organiser of next year's world netball championships in Christchurch, takes over from Kerry Powell, who resigned at the end of the 1998 season.

Dawson trained as a teacher and was involved with rugby administration and coaching at Forest View High School and the Tokoroa club in the mid-1980s. Since then he has held senior positions with the Digital Equipment Corporation and Compaq Computers.

His appointment completes a change at the top of Waikato rugby, with previous deputy chairman Michael Crawford taking over as chairman from Ron Wiberg, who resigned this month.