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Meet the volunteers behind the scene that are making the foundation happen. All of the board positions are voluntary and unpaid.
Brent’s life has filled with rugby activities as a player, coach and administrator. A Sydenham man through and through, coaching and managing junior teams, then managing Div 1’s, moving into Club Captain, Director and Chair, over a period of 30 years.
Brent also served for many years on the Christchurch Metro Committee including six as Chair and now sits on the CRFU Board.
"Club rugby is the basis of our game and needs to be nurtured, protected and funded and I have a passion to see this happens."
A born and bred Cantabrian, Julie Patterson, better known as JP, grew up in Southbridge and has enjoyed a long involvement with rugby since starting to play in the mid-80s for the University of Canterbury Rugby Club, where she is proud Life Member. Playing over 100 games for UC, JP also went on to represent Canterbury.
While still playing JP started in administration and was on the inaugural Metropolitan Rugby committee. JP has served on the Disciplinary Panel for 20 years and remains involved in the Citing Commissioner Liaison role for Super Rugby. She was the CRFU Volunteer of the Year 2016, CRFU Vice President in 2017/18 and CRFU President 2019/20/21.
JP fondly remembers going on a rugby tour to the US, UK & Europe in 1988 and playing 29 games in 42 days across 7 countries. She says they had a lot of fun, made friends for life and truly understood the importance of teamwork and of course, some awesome stories to tell. Having had excellent coaches and mentors, like Laurie O’Reilly & Ivan Bolton, keeps you grounded and striving to do your best to contribute back to the game.
JP played her last game whilst working at Scott Base, wearing my UC socks for the NZ "Ice Blacks" vs USA in Antarctica in 2010.
Natasha Wong says she owes a lot to rugby. The lessons she’s learnt and the experiences she has had have shaped who she is today. Rugby has opened up opportunities she may never have imagined, which has also influenced her career path in People and Culture.
Natasha has been an integral part of any and every team she’s been involved with, playing for University of Canterbury 85-99, Canterbury 88-98 earning seventy-five caps before managing the team for 9 years between 2011-2020. Also representing New Zealand as a Black Fern between 1989 and 1995.
Natasha coached what’s now known as Canterbury Farah Palmer Cup side from 1992-2000, Canterbury Women’s Development coach from 1999-2000 and Canterbury Secondary School Girls coach in 2003-2006, winning the tournament in 04,05 & 06.
She was also an instrumental founding member of the Women’s Advisory Board and was a member of the organizing Committee for the 1990 Women’s World Rugby Festival, which set the scene for the World Cup a year later in 1991.
In 2018 Natasha joined the CRFU Board and still holds that position today.
As a former Sydenham and Canterbury Women’s rugby player, Giuliana remains connected to rugby through her internship with CRFU and trustee of CRFU. In her professional capacity, Giulianna is an Associate at Anthony Harper specialising in employment, education and sport law.
Outside of her professional career, Giuliana is an avid sports woman, a mother and lover of the outdoors. Representing Canterbury and Nelson Bays at a provincial level in Rugby, Touch, Swimming, Athletics, and Netball. More recently turning her hand to Rowing, winning gold as stroke in the Novice coxed 4 at Rowing Nationals at Lake Karapiro 2020.
"Rugby has given me opportunities to grow and flourish, both on and off the field. It has also provided me with a sense of community and been the vehicle for making lifelong friendships."
Peter’s involvement in rugby is more limited than most on the Foundation, but we think that allows him to bring a different perspective. Peter was on the CBHS rugby committee while his son played there, and he’s have rarely missed a game of his over the past 10 years. It is still a favourite part of his week to watch him play for Lyttleton on a Saturday and Peter says he love’s seeing the value he gets from being involved in team sport. There is no doubt that amateur rugby still has an important place in our society and also that clubs need support to continue to make a difference in their communities. In particular, Peter would love to see more young people continue with the sport once they finish high school.
From a professional standpoint, after a long executive career in Christchurch, Peter has moved fulltime into governance, where he sits on the boards of a number of Canterbury-based organisations in a diverse range of industries including construction, aquaculture and health/social services. Peter is a chartered member of the Institute of Directors and believe in the difference good governance makes.
