New Zealand Rugby League is pleased to announce the appointment of new Board Member, Grant Stapleton. He fills the
Independent Board Director position left vacant by Motu Tony, who joined the NZRL senior leadership team as General
Manager of High Performance in June of last year.
Stapleton boasts over 30 years of experience as a director, executive leader and entrepreneur bringing a wealth of
knowledge in finance and strategy. He has led numerous businesses to success spanning various different industries
including Bakers Delight, Hue, Mariposa Restaurant Holdings (holding company of Mexicali Fresh and Burger Wisconsin),
Retail New Zealand, Thermal Solutions Holdings, Collective Hospitality, Laser Group Holdings and ATL Group.
Grant is also managing director of specialist consulting company, Cornell Consulting Group, which assists clients in the
areas of financial performance, organisational design and strategy.
NZRL Chairman Reon Edwards welcomes yet another valuable addition to the NZRL team which, led by CEO Greg Peters, enters
a new era of change and progression as the national body looks to reinvigorate the rugby league landscape in New
Zealand.
“Grant’s track record as a director is exemplary. We as a Board are pleased to have his expertise at the table as we
look to solidify our strategic plan for the next four years,”
“There are some exciting prospects in the pipeline for rugby league both in New Zealand and internationally, that could
be hugely beneficial for the grassroots game and we know our hard-working communities are really looking forward to
another action-packed season ahead,” Edwards said.
When asked what drew him to his new position on the NZRL Board, Stapleton said, “Sport and rugby league are inextricably
woven into the fabric of NZ. This is a great opportunity to grow our communities and the interactions they have through
the sport of rugby league.”
Alongside the new additions to the NZRL Board, CEO Greg Peters’ senior leadership team is now complete with the recently
appointed General Manager of Commercial and Communications, Gordon Gibbons and former Kiwi Nigel Vagana, moving into the
General Manager of Football and Wellbeing.
Gibbons has been involved in rugby league for several decades having recently been the New Zealand Warriors Corporate
Sales Manager following his 10-year stint as Football Operations Manager at Auckland Rugby League. He was also the Kiwis
Team Manager for the infamous 2008 World Cup winning team.
New Zealand Rugby League Board: Reon Edwards (Chair), Elizabeth Richards (Vice-Chair), Hugh Martyn, Tawera Nikau, Bill McEntee, Andrew Fraser, Grant
Stapleton.