POVERTY Bay Rugby Football Union long-term office manager Karen Bryant is interim chief executive until a replacement for Marty Davis, who finished yesterday, is appointed.

“Initial procedure with regard to the recruitment process is under way, and will be followed by advertising for the CEO position in due course,” said Bryant.

“Until a new CEO is appointed I will be the point of contact for the union.

“All other staff — Dwayne Russell and Henry Lamont — have been retained and will be holding the fort rugby-wise.

“We are looking forward to the new season. Pre-season planning and training has already commenced with our rugby clubs with what is looking to be eight teams in each of the premier and senior one divisions . . . the highest for some years.”

The eight premier teams are HSOB, Waikohu, YMP Ngatapa, OBM Pirates, Athletic and Tapuae.

Indications are the eight senior 1 teams will be HSOB, Waikohu, OBM, YMP, Ngatapa, Nuhaka, Mahia and Horouta.

Bryant said a New Zealand Rugby initiative to increase participation in secondary school rugby, QuikRip, is already being rolled out in the high schools.

“Coaching development and training programmes have also kicked off alongside the Hurricanes visit recently.

“After club rugby we will be looking forward to the Ranfurly Shield challenge on July 28.”

Source: http://gisborneherald.co.nz/